Hi All,

So, I have been at a conference abroad (South Africa) for almost a week now and have a week left to go. The food here is catered and I have found myself getting really off track after following my doctors instructions to a T for the past 7 months. I'm getting that familiar spiraling feeling and I think because I am so far removed from my normal routine at home I've allowed myself to slip into bad habits, especially because I'm getting close to goal and am becoming complacent. The way the food works is buffet style three times a day and tea breaks with biscuits and cookies two time a day. Because of crime issues, I have no way to leave to conference center to search for healthy snacks and so I feel a bit stuck. The meal options are definitely do able with meats, salads and veggies, I just find that my resolve has slipped compared to my super disciplined program up until recently. Any suggestions or support would be great appreciated! I'm so glad to have this site as a support system.

Edited March 2, 201511 yr by chasingpolaris321

I can sympathize with your situation. I'm out of town unexpectedly and struggling to stay focused on my food/protein. It's easy to be disciplined when I'm home in my own environment where I know the pantry and refrigerator are stocked with what I need.

I can't offer a lot of wisdom, but hope that knowing you're not alone can get you refocused.

I wouldn't make myself crazy over it. Pick out good choices at meals. Are you hungry at the snack time? If so, perhaps you could save something from lunch that would make a good snack.

Also, if possible, use a small salad plate when you go to the buffet and sit far away so you don't put too much on your plate or get tempted to take something not healthy as there won't be room for it!

Good luck.

I heard a good tip for buffets. You should go last in your group, if your first up you will be finished first and tempted to go back.

Thanks so much everyone! Even though I know other people go through this, it's good to have the reminder that it's not the end of the world. I managed to eat a very Protein centric Breakfast and am going to focus on my Water intake to curb the hunger. That's also a good tip about going last on buffets because it is awkward to be the first one done and encourages me to eat beyond what I should (which leads to awkward gurgling).

Sounds like with the choices they gave you, the whole band must have fallen off.

I also fell off for about a month. Nothing horrible but I knew what was happening. I reminded myself that this is how I got here in the first place and looked at some old pictures. That set me straight. Try to remember how you got here and that you don't want to feel that way again. It's going to be a life long journey but who's stronger, food or you?

If breaks don't offer good protein choices, consider talking to the event and/or catering manager. They may be able to provide some good alternatives. In my last job we provided food for our training sessions and meetings. I was always battling my manager to provide protein options. He lived on sugar and could've conceive that other people had other needs.

Perhaps if you are able to get a little extra exercise in while you are away might help to put your mind at ease. It's amazing how just a few extra minutes of exercise can work off those extra calories. Try to stay focused on all of the hard work that you have done to date but don't beat yourself up. Check in daily with an online support group.

CC197823: Thanks for the Buffet trick! I really plan on skipping buffets whenever possible, but I have several conferences coming up! I plan to take my ready-to-drink Protein drinks with me and stash them in the hotel room fridge. Being so new, my tummy doesn't hold much anyways.

I am 11 months out from surgery and went to visit family in December having a hard getting into a routine. Again. Prior I was working out not necessarily eating the best. I realized today I focus on taking care of everything and one else besides me. Today forward it is about me. Got back on spinning this morning. It is a struggle and my friend is going through those same struggles so know we are not alone and need to remember that we did this for us and our health. Go sleevers