Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Road Trip Eating

Menu from "Our Place" in Hermiston
We are leaving on a 4-day trip on Thursday and I'm needing to prepare myself mentally for it. I've started back to counting points (Weight Watchers) and have slipped back into a very comfortable plan for eating throughout the day. Yesterday, we traveled 35 miles to have new tires put on the car and ended up walking to a nearby local eatery called "Our Place Bakery" in Hermiston.  I had already eaten a small portion of food before we left home but decided to eat breakfast with my hubby. I ordered oatmeal and was able to fit it into my plan. If it had been closer to dinner time, it would have been way more challenging.

HOW MY MIND WORKS:
When we go on the road, my mind automatically thinks "well, Susan, you're on vacation ... don't worry about what you eat ... that's what people do on vacation." Bad thinking, huh!

MY LATEST THINKING:
I recently started eating 6 times a day (every 2 hours). Sounds crazy, doesn't it? But I've discovered that I am way less hungry in the evenings (my worst time of day) and able to stay within my budgeted point plan.  I don't know why, at age 52, I've never tried this before. I feel less bloated, less hungry, less deprived.

MY ROAD TRIP PLAN:
There is an old saying that the road to hell is paved with good intentions but I think it's a good idea to have a plan anyway.  We have a very long road to travel to get to the Clark Cousins' Reunion.  Five hundred miles, to be exact.  9 hours 5 minutes, according to Mapquest.  I should be able to control my craving for a Butterfinger and a bag of bbq chips, right? However, it doesn't seem to matter how much talking I do to myself prior to rolling down the road, there is an extremely loud voice that rises above all the moment we get comfy in our seats. This voice (thought) gets caught in repeat and is so obsessive that nothing shuts it up until we stop to get gas and I find myself in front of the cashier with a candy bar in one hand and chips in the other. We roll down the road and once I've consumed said junk food, I'm disgusted with myself and wondering how did it happen?  

Okay ... so here's my plan. I'm going to make a road trip menu and stick to it. I'm going to ask my husband to help me through this. I'm going to get out and treat my legs to a nice stretch or walk around the block and eat something healthy.  I'm going to freeze my water bottle so I have fresh, cold water to sip on. I'm going to cut up my fruits & veggies and have them readily available so I don't have some lame excuse for not eating them.

It all sounds good, in theory. I'll let you know how it turns out!

In the meantime, if you have any ideas for me, I'm listening!

love, susan

2 comments:

  1. I like your road trip plan. As you know, I just finished a road trip. I did okay while traveling in the car (carrot sticks, celery sticks, apple slices, raw almonds, etc) and no temptations for me when stopping for gas. But oh how I loved eating at the local diners!

    Within a year's time, I hope to make a trip to Washington State to visit some areas where I used to live. Before I go, I will check with you for any recommendations of local eateries (especially near Walla Walla)!

    Happy, safe, and healthy travels!
    --Trudy

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  2. Everytime I go somewhere I think the same thing!! I am on vacation, I don't have to look what I eat.. And then I come back home with few extra pounds!! I think I desperately need to go on a diet, but I have lack of inspiration..

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