How to adapt while on a trip

[Intell]

Good Morning! I am a new member and I am having a difficult time to add friends for my fitness support. I am on vacation and I am trying to avoid making poor food selections. Your advice and assistance is greatly appreciated.

Intell

[Ossie-Sharon]

Hi, Intell. To make more friends for support here, try participating in the Groups (link above). With regard to your traveling question, remember that whatever the reason for the travel or wherever you may be going, there is always a way to be healthy and to find the right foods to eat. If possible, your diet ritual and eating routine should stay as consistent as possible to how they are in the home environment. This isn’t always easy and certainly takes work on the road, but it can be done. You do have to be conscious of the fact that you won’t have all the amenities available to you that you usually do. It’s all about planning ahead, improvising, and just finding a way to make it work somehow. It’s also about acknowledging that it might not be perfect, but every bit that is better than before will add up – and the less desirable parts are no reason to lose hope, give up, and spiral out of control.
Here are a few tips to make your travel plans easier on your diet:
• Be aware of your surroundings:
Take the time to research ahead of time where you are going and what you will have available to you. Find out what restaurants are nearby and if you have access to a grocery store or farmer’s market. Will you be able to cook your own food or are you only able to eat out? Plan for any occasion, and just know what your surroundings will consist of so that you can account for that in your food choices each day.
• Devise healthy alternatives:
If you eat salads for lunch every day, then find access to a salad bar. If you are used to eating an egg white omelette, then order that when out. If you can get access to a produce market, then stock up on fresh items to keep with you throughout the day. No matter where you go, there are always ways to incorporate healthy alternatives. Simply ordering grilled salmon at dinner instead of breaded chicken is a simple but effective example!
• Carry healthy snacks just in case
There’s always room in your bags for items that will stay fresh during your travels. Pack some trail mix and brown rice cakes. No matter with what you are presented, you always have options when you pack a few of your own healthy snacks to back you up.
• Don’t give into the philosophy that food choices don’t count
Sure you are likely going to enjoy a few foods that you don’t normally get, but it’s important to keep it to a minimum. Savor the splurge and always keep portion size in mind, and then move onto the healthy stuff. Never give up or abandon your diet altogether, as that will just make it that much harder to get back on track when you return from your trip.
• Get in a workout whenever you can
When you have access to a gym, use it. If you can get in long walks on your travels, then do it. This doesn’t give you a license to eat whatever you want, but it does make you feel a bit more structured when you are out and about. This will help you to take the edge off, keep you away from endless food options, and even make you burn fat while traveling.
• Fill up on healthy foods whenever they are available to you
When you find a great restaurant nearby that serves healthy cuisine, make it a main fixture on your stay. If there is the potential to fill your hotel fridge with healthy fare, then do it. Any time that you can fill up on the healthier options, you are far less likely to splurge and keep eating the bad foods.

[Intell]

Thanks so much for your input Ossie-Sharon! I put your advice to use and had a great trip.

[Author]

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