Taking Care of Business

I'm in the midst of a lot of work travel.  It would be so easy to just let go of my forward momentum and blame it all on "travel."  It can be difficult to find solid, healthy choices and to stick to a good routine while on business travel.

So I thought it out in advance and made a commitment to myself to keep on moving forward.

First thing I did was contact Attila the Hon - my personal trainer - and work through a fitness plan I can do while on the road.  This includes workouts I can do in the hotel rooms as well as options for the in-hotel fitness centers.  I have loosely stuck to it, too. The first hotel didn't have a fitness center per se, but this one does and I hit it upon arrival!  I spent 40 minutes on the treadmill and another 45 doing weight training.  Yay me!

I also peeked around the hotel and there are some healthy-ish options, but they were not good enough for me.  For instance, there's a Starbucks in the hotel.  They have yogurt.  But it's sweetened/sugary and has granola plopped on top.  I just don't do that anymore.  So I explored the area and found a small farmer's market with lots of produce, some organic and whole foods and deli meats.

I asked the hotel for a mini, in-room refrigerator.  They stated they only had a few and that they were likely already deployed throughout the hotel.  I told the girl I had "food allergies" and couldn't find anything at the hotel suitable and safe for me to eat.  She said, we'll find one and send it right up to you!!!"  (Hey, it's true.  When I eat sugar I can't stop eating it and then I blow up like a blimp.  I'd call that an allergy!)

So here's my little stash:

I have mixed field greens, a package of baby spinach, avocado, carrots, mushrooms, nonfat greek plain yogurt (I LOVE this stuff...it's a daily staple and I was so excited to find it!), tomatoes, Boars Head turkey, packets of tuna, whole multigrain baguette, apples, bananas, oranges, jerky, whole raw nuts, string cheese, homemade ranch dressing, oatmeal and craisins for in-room breakfast, organic cottage cheese..... I'm SET!

The conference I am attending includes guest speakers and a long course. 8 am to 6:30 pm!  Plus evening keynote speakers etc.  And NONE of it includes breakfast or lunch or dinner, just snacks and those snacks are junk.  No problem, I've got it covered!

The end of this leg of my whirlwind summer is going to be in Maine with my parents and son for the 4th of July weekend. I have already given myself permission in advance to eat what I want on cookout day.  But until then, there's no reason to not eat healthy.

I'm meeting friends later today and while at dinner, I will find a healthy choice.  I'm meeting a group of folks I met through Quitnet.com on Saturday night and I may or may not be healthy, but I have 49 extra weight watchers points for the week...I may use 'em on some Baileys.  :-)  Hey, I'm doing a lifestyle, for the long haul, change.  So I don't quit living - I just factor in the "extras!"

Anyway, there's my little travel testimony.  If eating healthy and maintaining fitness is your goal, you can do it no matter where you are.  You just gotta stay focused and 'take care of bu'ness.'  It may take a little extra work, but the benefits are worth it.  For me, the real benefit is how I feel about myself.  Which is pretty darned good these days!!!  Not to mention the extra energy I continue to have to get through this difficult and demanding course.  It's all win-win!