I travel quite a bit for work - normally just 1-2 days, which I can plan for pretty well. But, what about 3-5 day trips??? I just got back from a 4 day business trip - my company's national sales meeting - wow, did I blow it. I did the best I could - took protein shakes and protein bars (which normally I don't eat, but is good for when I can't get a meal). I tried my best to make good choices, but good choices weren't always available. For instance - the company threw a Super Bowl party while we were at the conference. nachos, hot dogs, popcorn, veggie tray, deep fried turkey, etc. I ate several slices of deep fried turkey and some raw broccoli and celery - that was the best I could do. I know that I SEVERLY missed my caloric requirements the 4 days I was there. Then, mentally, I just said 'screw it' the next day - I had chocolate, pizza, didn't drink adequate water - UGH!!!! I feel like I just had a major set back. I'm so depressed.

Any suggestions for travelling? I've got a lot of 2-3 day trips coming up. Also, my real challenge is going to be a trip to China in a few months (especially since I don't eat seafood), UGH!

I would load up on tuna and canned chicken. IF you get a chnace to stop at a gas station and use a microwave you can do chocolate MP and oatmeal for one of the meals. May need some tupperware for the storage of the chicken and tuna as well as a cooler with an ice pack to keep things cool.

Kevin

I used to travel constantly...places like Malaysia, China, etc. Proper eating required a lot of preparation. I would bring a shaker, protein powder, and protein bars. I would bring enough to supply @ least 3 meals/day; including travel days. In places like China, I would bring even more. I found that I could usually get fairly ok food for the remainder...but you usually have to work at each meal (i.e. ask for extra meat, order double, etc.). If you have enough supplemental food, you can add some to regular food meal that doesn't fit your needs. Also, if your company is flexible enough, they won't give you a hard time about ordering a little extra.

I found breakfast was usually easy to get a good meal, lunch and dinner can be a little more difficult depending on your ability to choose your dining place. You're at a severe disadvantge without the seafood option...but tofu is usually plentiful.

Don't forget to only drink bottled water (you may find yourself stockpiling for shakes) in less developed areas. You may want to stay away from salad and anything that is washed with tap water...includes brushing your teeth and ice cubes. Only eat fruit that you peel yourself or you know hasn't been washed. In really questionable places I would bring baby wipes to wash my hands frequently. I did this for over 4 years and never got sick.

I found training harder than diet in a lot of areas. Most of the big hotels have great gyms. I always brought exercise bands just in case. Also did lots of plyometrics, pushups, etc.

I completely know where you are coming from!!!!

I began my competition training last August. I was going strong, very strong and seeing great results 3.5 weeks in. Then I was promoted at work. The promotion includes alot of traveling. The day after I was promoted I traveled to a 5 day trip to Mexico. My point: I would not be able to put a 110% into it to be successful on stage.

I am not trying to discourage you but I had to admit to myself that I would not be able to get the physique I wanted when the stage came.

Here are some of my tips for you: Well, when I first started the position I told everyone I was BORDERLINE DIABEDIC and told them I cannot eat cheeses and brads and other **** like that. This way, they got the hint. Also, when I travel I bring EVERYTHING I need to survive. Canned chicken, tuna, veggies, and salsa. I bring all my supps. Yada, Yada, Yada. You know the drill. Bring what you need.

Now, next week I leave for Mexico again and I am dreading it cause I am leaving with two other guys (from work). So, I am not going to bring as much stuff as I usually do. But, I will have my supps and workout clothes. I basically will not be bringing all my extra stuff like a ton of workout cloths and all that stuff cause we are taking one car to the airport.

As far as eating when there is a buffet, it seems like you are using good judgment but sometimes starve my self if I didn’t like the food and have a shake when I got back to me room.

I know the situation you are in and it is a tuff call.

So, it comes down to IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN YOU PLAN TO FAIL.

Biker Chick - It can be done in most cases. china might be a tough one, but 2-4 day CONUS trips can be managed with planning. I have been a heavy business traveler for over 6 years, 100,000 + flying miles/yr. I would run out of room in my suitcase for regular clothes after I loaded up my gym wear and supplements - lol I don't like to check luggage, so I was normally stuck with a roll aboard and a gym bag.

Here is what worked for me:

- Put each days pill form supps into a snack size zip lock so that they can easily fit into your pocket and be with you all day long. You can do the same with protein powder, but double bag it to avoid unexpected spills.

- Bring instant oatmeal packs if your hotel won't have them. It is easy to find hot water and then mix in some MP or US for a decent breakfast meal.

- I got to know which fast food places were flexible to suit my needs, for example it is a snap and not very expensize to get double chicken on a Subway Chicken breast sub. Wendy's will put double meat on a chicken salad for a buck more usually. You may run into the clerk who does not know how to be creative, but asking nicely will normally get you what you want.

- If you are like I was, when I am on the road 10-12 hour days are normal. I was not afraid to disappear for two hours, usually early in the morning - to get in my workouts. The people who I worked for knew that my exercise routine was my stress relief and they accepted it. Anyone who is a road warrior will envy your dedication.

- It is easier if you are on your own and have a car. Travelling with people who do not travel often or not having a car is the worst. (People who do not travel often want to party and pig out) If you don't have a car be more picky about your hotel - delect one that has a decent gym or easy access to one within walking distance.

It is possible to stay with your routine with planning - one year I was back and forth to Hawaii 16 times. With the 5/6 hour time change from the east coast and 14+ hours of seat time in the air it was a long trip. My routine ended up being fly to LA, spend the night at the airport Hiton, then fly to Hawaii the next day. That Hilton has a 24 hour fitness on site that I would get free access to. It was perfect. When I got to Honolulu I was well rested, de-stressed and ready to go. Had I flown straight through I would have been beat and stressed out.

Good luck with your efforts to stay on track. You may not be 100%, but 90-95% is doable and very good under the circumstances.

VA MadDog

Thanks everyone - those are some great suggestions. The canned chicken is a great idea that I hadn't thought of.

I'm normally able to get my workouts in, at least cardio. If I can't do weights, I just shuffle my schedule around to fit in a week's worth one way or another. I also travel with exercise bands that will do in a pinch.

The tough part really is eating. I will start carrying my own oatmeal - good suggestion. Canned chicken should be good if I can't break away for lunch. I always have my protein powder and supps, so that's ok. I really don't like to eat protein bars, but they are convenient.

MadDog - hawaii 16 times a year??? Must be tough! j/k

thanks again everyone - good stuff here

One other question - do you think it's best to eat something rather than nothing? For instance, if it's been 3-4 hours since you've last eaten, and the only menu item is say, pizza or pasta in a cream sauce, are you better off having just a little to take the edge off and then eat a regular meal or shake as soon as possible, or am I better off eating nothing at all?

Actually it was a very difficult assignment and one that I came close to quiting over, but I survived. When you are there for work and look around, it seems as if everyone else is there on vacation. That's not true of course, but that's how it feels. Hawaii is a beautiful (but expensive) place. The colors, weather, fresh fruit and seafood are awsome. I was able to take my wife along twice, my boys once and my mom once so they all thought that it was great. I would leave them in the morning to site see (and spend money) and I would go off to meetings. It was better, however, than 16 trips to say Minot N.D. would have been -lol

I had another similar adventure in Miami, for a 14 month period I spent more nights at the Airport Hilton than I did at my own home. Both Miami and Honolulu are U.S. cities but when you are there they seem more like foreign countries. Miami is essentially Latin America and Honolulu is like an Asian rim country. Very different business and social cultures.

I belong to a Gold's gym in VA so I use my travel card often. I was in Miami so much that I had to go to four different Golds gyms because I had used up all of my allotted guest pass days. I wish that I had all of the money that I have spent on guest passes when in cities where they did not have a Golds. In Honolulu they wanted to zing me $20/day (the tourist rate). After while I got to know a manager who gave me a more favorable weekly rate. Oh the trials and tribulations of a road warrior who also tries to be a BBer...

VA MadDog

On your Do I eat "bad" food or not eat at all question - that is an interesting discussion. To a certain extent I think that it depends on what your goals are at the time. For example if you are not on a pre-contest diet I'd say that it was better to eat a small portion of something (not just high sugar items, however). If you do not eat your body will swing into a catabolic state and use muscle and fat for fuel. Unfortunately it will normally use more muscle than fat as that is the more readily available source of fuel. As you all know it is not easy to fool our bodies into burning fat AND retaining muscle when it needs fuel.

Now if you are on a strict contest diet and can't afford to do anything but to keep dropping weight I'd say skip the meal. It is not an ideal option as you will burn some muscle for fuel, but at least you will be under and not over on your total calorie consumption. An occasional meal skip is probably not a big deal, but if you did it frequently you would see the negative ramifications.

Anyone else have different thoughts? My problem is that if I don't eat something I'll get crabby and after long enough light headed, so I can stretch out the time between meals but if I skip one I know it. As you said, better to have a meal replacement bar in your pocket - it is not what you would normally eat but it is much better than the chips, dip and classic coke or vending machine cupcakes that might be available!

VA MadDog

LOL - I hear ya MadDog - everyone things business travel is so glamorous. I just spent Sat - Tues in Orlando, FL. All my friends were so jealous. Yeah - here's what there was to be jealous of: arrive 3:00 pm Saturday, set up rooms for big meeting (national sales meeting), cocktail party 6-8. Start Sunday at 6:30 am, work until 5:30, Super Bowl party at 6:00 pm. Start Monday at 6:30 am, work until 5:30 pm, cocktail reception at 6:30, banquet at 8:30, fly home Tuesday morning. UGH!!!!!! And, not only that, it was cold and rainy! But, I did manage to get 2 workouts in!

I think its better to eat something than nothing, unless you are precontest. Then if for some reason you are caught with out your proper food, then I say skip it. But, honestly if you just stick to the pizza and few slices will not kill you and it will keep the metabolism moving.

Jason Theobald

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