Most of us have an ideal travel picture in our heads...something like the picture above. Or maybe, the Clark Griswold, pull out all the stops "Family Vacation". However, it seldom turns out like that...or maybe it's all too often exactly like that! Airline delays, traffic construction, rental car snags, hotel overbookings, quickly make whatever ideal you may have had seem all too quickly like a mirage. However, a bigger obstacle for a follower of fitness like I am, is the all too frequent struggle of staying on my regimen.
The first hurdle to get over is, where do I find a supply (read: grocery store) of goods for my macro needs? Depending on where you're at, this can be a difficult challenge. I'm fortunate to have great stores where I live, but whether going to the rural part of the country or the urban, that's not always true. In the northwoods, the local stores often have a small inventory, as they are usually seasonal. Do you have any grilling chicken? How does Tyson Chicken Nuggets sound?! What about trail mix? Chex mix. Usually you can find locally raised eggs, but the inventory often varies, as Mari Jo down the street beats you to them every morning. Or you can be in an urban area, but they are often big box stores (i.e. WalMart, etc.) and you start focusing on the expiration date on the packages, as they often look like they just fell off the truck before being put on the shelf. ADVICE: Try and do some serious research before going...finding a supply of your regimen basics is essential to staying on your plan and not bringing an extra 5 pounds of your vacation back with you! Second is the ongoing parade of eating out at restaurants. My daughter recently got married in an out of state wedding and one of the nights we went to a genuine Italian restaurant with the bridal party. Trying to find anything low carb or remotely macro friendly in an Italian place is like trying cotton ball in a blizzard! Making things worse, restaurants often place breads, chips, etc. on the table, so while you're hungry and trying desperately to find anything that meets the IIFYM lifestyle, you have to gnaw on your elbow to keep away from the breadsticks drizzled with garlic butter. ADVICE: Always try and look up the menu at the restaurant you're going to, so that you know in advance what options you have. If nothing really works for your plan, you can always pack a little meal prep to have in the vehicle before and/or after the dinner, to tide you over. And then there is the family...remember the family vacation you planned to enjoy so much? Well, often times these people have much different views on eating than you, the "fitness freak". The constant snacking on Doritos, ice cream and corn dog devouring, spaghetti dinners and Mom's favorite cheesecake recipe are likely to be a riptide to your macronutrient ocean, pulling you out and away from the hard work and dedication you've managed up until this point. The pizza and alcohol bonanza may become so ongoing, that you don't want to leave your room, other than for the gym to find some solace. ADVICE: Plan in advance for the differences you're likely to experience in eating habits. If possible, bring as much of your "go to" snacks with you, to keep any temptations down. Take walks and other outdoor activities when the "munch a bunch" is going on. Likely, you were once like "they" are, so realize how far you've come and take some pride in your changes in lifestyle. And lastly, realize they're your family and they love you and you them and a few days of putting up with eating differences isn't really that big of a deal. Re-reading this, it's seems obvious that, as with all traveling, planning in advance for your training diet needs is essential. Be as preemptive as possible, but always remember that you're traveling for a reason and try and enjoy the sights, sounds and fun to be had. Or be like me, and be happy when you're home again.;)
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AuthorRich Spalding, CPA, former die hard runner, newborn gym rat, and laugher of his own jokes. ArchivesCategories |