Business Trips: How do you stay on track?

I'm a regular business traveler, and I'm wondering if any of you out there have tricks for staying on track while traveling for work?? My situation is a bit unique in that I'm an event planner, so no matter where I'm traveling to I'm surrounded by food! You can get more detail in my journal post about my upcoming business trip and the caloric dangers that I am expecting to be present. How do you deal with these temptations? Any good suggestions for sticking to healthy meals when you're surrounded by everything but???

Lauren
My weight loss blog

The best thing while traveling is just to make the best food choices you can- ask for grilled, steamed, dressing on the side. 

I travel a lot for work and unfortunately, business trips involve a lot of socializing and ... drinking.  To keep people from commenting about my lack of wine sipping, I always order a soda and lime.  Keeps you hydrated, on track with the diet, and people just assume it's a vodka tonic.  ^_^

I travel quite a lot.   My technique I nickname the 'Joan Collins Diet'...   Well, to be honest, you can pick your diva of choice but Joan Collins always strikes me as a tough cookie!!

The first rule is you don't drink anything except champagne.  OK for you that might be tricky because you're probably surrounded by the stuff at your event but, for my average business trip, this translates to 'no booze at all'.  Sparkling mineral water is the diva drink of choice.

Next  part of the JC Diet is that you become uber-fussy.... You don't just guzzle on whatever's handy you have high standards.  You don't empty the nuts and chocolate out of your hotel mini-bar because you're on expenses, you leave them for the plebs.  In restaurants you're the one the staff love to hate because you demand your food prepared just so.... "you there, peel me a grape"

Next.... IMAGE.  Divas get 'papped' when they least expect it so the last thing they want is to be caught on camera troughing a burger in the street or spilling into the gutter out of a taxi cab drunk.  They do like to be seen in their glam-jams and sunnies down in the hotel gym, however.   If you can fit in a walk or there's a pool handy, make the most of it. 

I am going to have to try that diva trick next time! 

My tip is I always carry healthy snacks.   I get very anxious about food while traveling.  What if I get stuck in an airport for who knows how long?  What food will be available whenever I get to where I'm going?   Having some healthy options with me takes the edge off.

I just got back from an overnight trip and I had Kashi granola bars, turkey jerky, and an apple with me.  I knew I had a suite with a microwave and refrigerator so I brought my own pre-measured oatmeal for breakfast and some microwave popcorn in case I wanted a snack in the evening.  I was glad that I had my oatmeal because the free breaky provided by the hotel had nothing healthy on it. 

Sometimes I eat one of my healthy snacks before going out to dinner with everyone and that keeps me from being ravenous and eating the bread on the table or overeating when my entree comes.

And ALWAYS travel with workout clothes.  If there is nowhere to walk, no fitness center, no pool or anything, you can always use the stairway as your stairmaster.

I LOVE the diva rules!

I read your journal post, sounds like you have a good idea of what you need to do to stay on track! My suggestion for if you do end up getting super hungry, when you get your food pick the smallest plate you can (if you have a choice that is...) get a large serving of the healthies fruits/veggies there are (of course avoiding super buttery cheesey stuff) and a small portion of meat and whatever looks good, but remember keep the portions small, try not to completely fill your plate. Don't pile it up and have things falling off! Remember, it's a buffet, if you REALLY feel the need, you can get more.

Before you eat, drink a glass of water. Like 8 oz. Then slowly eat what's on your plate. Then drink more water. Wait ten minutes. Most likely you won't be hungry! Drinking water with meals always fills me up so much more!

Hmm. Read your journal post and blog, sounds like a tough dieting situation!

I would take a lot of healthy snacks - fruit, veges, some protein options, to keep you from feeling starving.

Think about the plate your making when you go to the buffet - 1/4 each protein and carbs and 1/2 veges.

You could even bring your own meals and avoid the buffet altogether - sometimes an all-or-nothing approach can actually work better. Or not, depends on you.

Remember this is not going to be the last time you eat, or get offered great food. You don't have to eat like it's the last time either - there will always be other opportunities.

I think the diva rules are hilarious!  I wished I traveled more so I could be like that.  I'm actually on the other side.  I work at a hotel... a Hilton Garden Inn to be exact.  Our brand caters to business travelers and we know that people are trying to be healthy and stay in shape.  We have a 24 hour fitness center as well as stay fit kits that guests can check out for free that have yoga mats, resistance bands, and even light hand weights so they can work out in their room.  We also have a 24 hour pantry that is has "healthy" snacks availble for purchase (Special K bars, soup, nuts, trailmix and lean cuisine) and all rooms come with a  microwave and a fridge in case you want to bring your own food.  Obviously I'm biased and I think everyone should stay at a Hilton hotel, but I know that isn't always going to happen.  But, if you do have some sort of say in where you will be staying, try to find a hotel with similar amenities.  Also, bring your swimwear cause we all know that water aerobics burn calories.  And, as someone said earlier, use the stairs as your stairmaster!  If you are having an event in a hotel you can also call the hotel in advance, tell them that you are on a restricted diet and ask what they are serving for the event.  You may get put on hold for a few minutes, but it will allow you to plan your caloric intake in advance. 

Wow, Hooray! Thanks everyone, I love all these tips, keep them coming!!! Oh, and Bhmoore, I am staying at a Hilton, so that information is most helpful!

I have to figure out how to stop the hoarding mentality of wanting to grab everything in sight since it's free and extremely high quality. That's a problem I have in general anyway. At the end of these things, you're given these massive to go containers piled with fillet mignon and amazing desserts to take home! EEK!

Lauren
http://approachingthefinish.blogspot.com/

the diva idea is great!

i travel sometimes too, what i do is 1) try not to eat to much too late, no bringing chocolate to hotel room (not usually a problem although, welll:), 2) walk a LOT so i can taste the local food without worrying about the exact numbers of cals, 3) portion control.

it works quite well but then again i do not travel THAT often

I've never done this but I have a friend who pretty much lives out of hotel rooms, because her job is so mobile. She's on a diet and before she arrives or when she checks in, she asks if it's possible for all the food apart from fruit bowls to be removed from the room - free snacks, chocolates, mini-bar etc. Then she buys her own food and keeps that with her. I don't know if it's a smart move or a little ott - either way, it's an idea!

I live in a hotel and it is true that hotel staff pretty much bend over backwards to help anyone out with a request - I'm sure they'd do that here if you asked.

That's a great idea, I think I'll do that. Thanks MerylWhite!

I just the entry about your trip.   Today's the day you go right?  Let us know how it goes!   

I've traveled alot the last few months. I like to bring bagels, dry cereal (kashi stuff/fiber one), fruit/veggies...

Also bring your running/gym shoes and see if you can fit in a run or workout (I'm going on a "girls getaway" to Nashville in a few weeks and me and the girls are bringing our workout gear).