Taking a Bite Out of the Big Apple!

Traveling while on a diet is complicated. Traveling on a very restricted diet is especially complicated. And, traveling on a very restricted diet with a group on a hectic schedule is impossible. Couple that last scenario with the destination of New York City and you're basically doomed.

Despite my attempts to be good (by bringing about a kilo of diet powdered substance), it was impossible to maintain the diet completely. One benefit to being in Manhattan is the plethora of local groceries and salad spots. It's also a great walking city. My PA (physical activity) stayed about the same without having time to do my regular workouts because of all the walking I did everyday. But, we were on the go a lot and traveling light. I always had a soup or pudding with me. I ate a lot of soup this week! But, it is difficult to eat only soup. Ordering a cup of hot water at a restaurant doesn't always go over well. And, always doing that with the group is embarrassing. Then, there is the problem of having to eat where the group wants to go. If I were alone, I would just stay at the local salad shops for food. I kept a dozen bananas in my room and started my days with two shakes. I actually did go through an entire canister of shakes while here. I suppose that's a sign of commitment...?

One day the group stopped at a diner in Midtown for lunch and I went with the grilled chicken salad. I needed some meat. I had only had soups and shakes for almost two days. Well, it was the most buttered grilled chicken salad I had ever eaten. I ordered my hot water and made a soup to supplement (which I immediately spilt all over my pants). Story of my life... at least I tried.

The bodybugg was a constant resource to me, helping to keep me on track. Even though the sync option with their app is tricky and cumbersome, it was worth the pain to be able to regularly check calories burned and be able to log food consumed. My goal was to always consume less than I burned. I can't wait to get home to sync it and see how I really did.

This trip did make me realize how difficult maintenance is going to be. Maintaining my lost weight on a daily basis, with trips and the absence of such a restricted diet to keep me in check, will be hard. And not just hard sometimes. All the time hard. I watched my companions consume burgers and fries, large quantities of alcohol, pastas...whatever... And regularly envied them. They were all thinner than me. Will they gain weight this week on their excursion to the big city? Will I?

I was actually very good. Kept my calories consumed to 2000 or less most days. Burned nearly 3000 calories each day. And, I felt very restricted this week. Was that enough to get me by without a weight gain? I guess I'll find out Monday night. And, then I will really know how hard the rest of my life is going to be.

Being tempted with bar chips by an old friend from college.