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Original poster

To think it's going to be really hard to lose weight whilst working abroad?

34 replies

hooliodancer · 07/11/2015 14:41

I have to work abroad for the next 6 weeks, usually 3 or 4 nights away in different European cities, travelling lots of evenings too.

I have been trying to lose weight- need to lose 2 stone but 1 would be great- for ages, and nothing has worked. I got a fit bit this week, and have realised that I really need to restrict myself to 1300 calories a day to lose a pound a week, rather than the 1500 I was allowing myself. Basically what worked the last time I dieted doesn't work now! Age and hormones have changed how many calories I need.

At home I find it easy to eat very healthily, loads of vegetables etc. I also go to the gym and do exercise classes 4 times a week. I just don't think I'll be able to do it when I'm away, as I will be eating often at airports/ on trains in the evening. At lunch it will be a case of get what you are given. Some hotels will have an exercise room, but there will be no time to use it on many days,or when there is I want to have an hour seeing whatever city I happen to be in. I can imagine I will get so pissed off that the nights I have to myself I'll end up ordering steak and chips! Also,I don't think I can go to Paris and not have a croissant.

I feel really frustrated that I have finally discovered what I need to do, and I am going to be prevented from doing it!

Am I being unreasonable in thinking I won't be able to do restrict myself to 1200 calories because I am away. Or do any of you have some tips to help me?

I plan to go for a long walk at lunchtime every day. I will resist the hotel breakfast and have tomatoes and mushrooms on toast.

OP posts:
TheLambShankRedemption · 07/11/2015 14:50

You may want to move this/also post this in the weight loss section of the MN Talk forum, where people in the same boat may have some great suggestions.

velourvoyageur · 07/11/2015 14:55

But to be honest OP, you can easily prevent yourself from having a croissant & ordering chips etc.
Plus it's only six weeks.
If you're committed it will be fine.
Or just enjoy the six weeks & start trying to lose weight again afterwards. I think your attitude is a bit defeatist really, sorry.

Original poster
hooliodancer · 07/11/2015 14:59

Yes, I am being defeatist about it. I am frustrated that I am being defeatist! I guess, I need a strategy not to be.

OP posts:
ExasperatedAlmostAlways · 07/11/2015 15:01

Just have fruit and yogurt for breakfast. Keep a watchful eye on what you eat for lunch, try minimise carbs and eat steak ans veg at dinner instead of chips. Use the pool or gym when available. Lots of water and minimal alcohol. Spirits with diet juice when you do drink.

velourvoyageur · 07/11/2015 15:02

You could do situps and whatnot in your hotel room for 20 mins before going to sleep. Have the steak but with a salad instead.
It must be frustrating though to be interrupted when you're doing well :)

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 07/11/2015 15:03

If you're going to lose weight, you need to exercise self control, wherever you are. It'll be no harder in France. There's no requirement to have a crossaint because you're there.

Tell yourself you can do it and you will.

Ifiwasabadger · 07/11/2015 15:08

Take your running kit and pound the pavements! I love an early morning run in a new city...

Mermaidhair · 07/11/2015 15:12

It's 6 weeks. Do it after. Simple

velourvoyageur · 07/11/2015 15:15

Remember in Paris the metro is full of stairs, so take them and not the escalators ;) or try and run up the stairs to your room instead of taking the lift, etc.

Ineedtimeoff · 07/11/2015 15:18

It's not just about loosing weight but about sustaining that weight loss once you have done it. That is where things get difficult. You can't avoid life because you are watching your weight or on a diet, that's why a large number of people put weight back on after dieting plus some.

Really it's about changing your relationship with food and that can take place anywhere in the world.

I wish you luck, it's not easy!

hellofromtheoutside · 07/11/2015 15:21

There are lots of hotel room workouts on YouTube.

NotAnotheChinHair · 07/11/2015 15:23

It will be very difficult but you already realise that so that's a good start. I wouldn't aim to start the diet after the 6 weeks because with that frame of mind, chances are you will put some weight on and then it's Christmas and by the new year you'll need to shed 3 st instead of 2.

If your meals are going to be prepared for you and paid by the company, then just aim for lots of protein, easy on the oil and minimal carbs. Drink lots and lots of water and walk as often as you can. Have a workout every time you can and don't quit just because you haven't been to the gym in 5 days.

lljkk · 07/11/2015 15:25

Are they unsafe cities you visit? Could you figure out a way to go for a 25 minute run?

AnyoneButAndre · 07/11/2015 15:28

Are your work paying for your food? If so that gives you licence not to care about the iniquitous cost of rocket salad "hold the Parmesan" and bok choi with garlic, relative to steak and chips. I'd actually find that quite liberating. With a determined and imaginative approach to menus you can order loads of delicious and healthy starter/side salad combinations and drink your way through the fizzy waters of the world.

I've got some good workouts on my phone which run off my own music selection - 7 Minute Legs and 7 Minute Abs I think they're called. They'd both be fine in a hotel room.

WorraLiberty · 07/11/2015 15:37

I think you're showing a really defeatist attitude here OP.

You're already imagining ordering steak and chips because you'll be 'pissed off'??

That's kind of lining up 'excuses' in advance...just as you have with the croissant thing.

"I feel really frustrated that I have finally discovered what I need to do, and I am going to be prevented from doing it!"

The only person who can prevent you from losing weight, is you.

Just stick to small portions and no snacks. If you fancy steak and chips then have a small steak and a few chips...but have it because you want it, not because you're 'pissed off'.

I think getting to grips with your poor relationship with food, is probably more important than the exercise issue for now.

CMOTDibbler · 07/11/2015 16:03

I lost weight while travelling a lot for work, and now am eternally in training for something so am always eating healthily.
I run everywhere I go (just ask the concierge for a recommended route as they always have one), and get up early to workout in the hotel gym if they have one. On evenings I'm away and don't have to meet anyone I pick dinner up from a shop on the way back so I can work out and then eat after without having to get repectable (if your company allows room service then do that - we aren't allowed)

Yogurt and fruit ends up a lot of calories for not a lot of satisfaction ime, so I'll have boiled eggs and ham for breakfast, fruit at lunchtime if not eating with others, and something like a steak with salad for dinner. If I'm with others so less choice I will have a starter as a main, or ask for a small portion (or just not eat all of it). Never any wine, just water.

On trains/planes/car, I'll have packed some breakfast biscuits and fruit so I always have something to eat. If I have time for breakfast at the airport, I'll have a starbucks oatmeal which is v filling.

Original poster
hooliodancer · 07/11/2015 16:13

Thanks all! Great ideas. I had no idea about the hotel room workouts, I will look.

Yes, it's the self control I struggle with. I love trying new food in new places, so the self control will be hard as food has always been a bit of a hobby. But you are right, I don't have to.

The pissed off thing was that I will be pissed off with the travel etc and comfort eat. Which I don't usually do, but have done in the past when away with work. I have literally just realised that, so thanks.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 07/11/2015 16:17

I wonder if someone can recommend you a book about comfort eating?

It might keep you occupied when you might otherwise reach for a snack?

Either way, be kind to yourself and if you can, just have a small bit of what you fancy without going overboard.

Easier said than done, but probably better than having to abstain completely from all the nice new food.

19lottie82 · 07/11/2015 16:19

I don't think 1200 a day is a healthy way to lose weight. 1500 should easily be enough to lose 1lb a week, especially if you're keeping active. Are you sure you're measuring your calories and portion sizes correctly? And it's not just about the calories, 1500 of healthy food containing complex carbs, protein and good fats, will help you lose more weight than 1300 of junk food.

I appreciate the hard part of dieting while travelling is that you don't know what you're eating in terms of calories / fat / sugar, but obviously just try to apply common sense. You can still have steak, just swop the chips for veg, and ditch the croissants!

MrsMook · 07/11/2015 16:29

Watch out for drinks. Alcohol, and soft drinks with either sugar or sweetners make a sneaky but significant difference.

Lime and soda is less sweet for places like bars compared to colas or lemonade. Fruit teas are warming and give some flavour other than water. Use a jug of water to space drinks out and avoid over eating. France is great for that anyway.

Keep active. Watch your portion size. Make sensible choices. It is possible!

AnyoneButAndre · 07/11/2015 16:34

She says it's her age that's the problem lottie. Assuming 1982 is your birthdate, you haven't yet discovered the sad fact that 1,500 is a maintenance allowance for short middle aged women in desk jobs, not a weight loss allowance.

whois · 07/11/2015 16:46

Well if I was going traveling around European cities for 6 weeks the eating in nice restaurants on works £ would be my highlight, so I can see you're predicament!

Try and go in with a bit more positive attitude tho.

cen you get up and try and do 30 mins cardio in the hotel gym? Or go out for a run?

Breakfast try having boiled eggs rather than anything cooked as you don't know how much butter or oil the other things have been cooked in.

Lunch, whilst it's 'get what you're given' just try and be sensible.

Dinner you can always ask for something reasonably sensible off the menu. Not steak and chils!

ReadFox · 07/11/2015 16:53

When I'm facing this kind of challenge, I remind myself that nobody else puts food in my mouth.

For breakfast have boiled eggs, toast, or cereal. whatever you'd normally have. Then don't eat til lunch. If the sandwiches are gorgeous, and more fattening than you'd normally choose have half a sandwich and a banana.

ReadFox · 07/11/2015 16:54

anyonebutandre sadly this is so true. I've lost weight by accepting this brutal fact.

Bacontastic · 07/11/2015 17:08

Low carbing might be a great choice for you....check your airline, Emirates business class will do you low carb in-flight menu, hotel breakfast = bacon, eggs, fried mushrooms, lunch = skip or plain meat & vegetables, hotel dinner = steak & green salad. 2lb per week off or thereabouts and no hunger pangs. Biggest problem is fitting in all the water to drink. Good luck to you OP.