Healthy travels

Since the nature of a career of speaking to others about habit changes requires more than a fair amount of time "on the road," it behooves me to master the skill of eating healthy while traveling. Else wise, surviving on the "100% muffin, cookie, and pretzel diet" offered in planes and airports would cause me to gain back my weight - resulting in the loss of my livelihood and taking with it any credibility I might have in writing this column.

As I put pen to paper (more accurately "keyboard to word processor"), I find myself determined finally to be successful in my travel and dieting endeavors.

"Failure to plan," is "planning to fail." Therefore, utilizing all the marvels of the world wide web, I first researched which restaurants near my destination excel in "fit fare cuisine," and printed out maps with walking directions from my hotel to said establishments. By forsaking taxicabs, I am ensuring that I will get the requisite activity level to prevent weight gain.

Furthermore, should my body be a temple, than notice is hereby given that only the pure shall henceforth be allowed passage.

In my overstuffed carry-on suitcase, there is a food diary to record each calorie, taken directly from a booklet containing the nutritional makeup of more than 17,000 foods from five continents. Only those with the appropriate glycemic index shall be chosen.

To quench my thirst, I have opted for the clarifying, clear, cleansing choice of bottled water, rather than sucking down syrupy, sweet, sugary sodas. Instead of the unhealthful indulgence in a vodka martini to relax, I unwind with a delightful kiss of lime added to a refreshingly cold glass of tomato juice spiked with just a hint of Worchester sauce.

As for the omnipresent treats, nary an icing-covered, foil-wrapped, oatmeal cookie has yet crossed my lips. Moreover, those small, individually packaged trail mix bags with delectable chunks of lightly salted cashews, dried pineapple, and apricot bits, have gone untouched. Even the siren-like seductive summons of the tantalizingly crunchy, oh-so-delightful toffee-coated peanuts has fallen upon deaf ears.

I am convinced I've got this traveling thing mastered. Of course, the real test will come when I actually leave my driveway.

About the author: Scott "Q" Marcus, THINspirational speaker and author lost 70 pounds over 11 years ago. He has a free motivational e-zine at www.THINspiration.com. His book, THE SHADE OF TREE IS THE VERY BEST SHADE THERE IS, is available at www.ShadeOfATree.com. He can be reached for presentations or comments at 707.442.6243 or scottq@THINspiration.com.