Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Well & Wise On the Road (M & M's)



Do you do anything special to prepare for long drives on the road? Of course you have your suitcase or bags full of clothing and other necessities. Don't forget that cell phone charger, your navigation system (and or maps) and you most definitely need some good tunes to jam to, so a solid playlist is a MUST!


Something else that is certain, you'll need fuel for two vehicles; your car, and your body. Good fuel is critical for both, but we tend to worry more about the quality of what goes in our cars, than we do our bodies.

This brings me to a question for you; do you eat well and wise on the road? It is not as difficult as you think.To avoid those unhealthy foods and snacks that will beckon for you at each exit, pack things like seeds, nuts, fresh fruit, low cal snack options and bottled water. You will save money, time and most importantly, YOU!

Think of your supply of food like an "arsenal". You need a map/navigation system,
and fuel for your car. But, you also need good fuel for your body. 


Pick portable snacks on your trip. Keep it simple and easy.
Non-perishable healthy treats and fruits with skin work well. 

Now, I am not being unrealistic. I know that some trips are longer than others. When we go back home, we are looking at a 9-9.5 hour drive through rolling mountains and hills. McDonalds, Burger King, Wiendys...they pop up so available and ready. There isn't a shortage of fast food on the road, that's for sure. I have learned to work with what's available. Face it, there aren't many healthy options on the menu.



I try to go with Subway (and will sometimes buy a veggie or turkey  sub on wheat w/o any mayo or oil and wrap it up nice to store in the cooler) but if that is NOT an option in the area of travel, I lean toward grilled chicken sandwiches and ususally remove the bread. Instead of fries, I will get raw veggies or fruit if available, or just snack on one of my low cal options that I have packed. Another choice is to grab the greenest salad possible. If the fast food place offers a spinach salad and balsamic or light vinaigrette dressing, I will have that.(Caution: All salads are not safe. It will be up to you to ask what is in it and to select good options for consumption.) Where there is a will, there is indeed a way.


 When you arrive to your destination, grab a pack of premixed salad and low fat dressing. I am not saying to completely deprive yourself of the home cooking you may not often have the opportunity to eat. You can still enjoy Granny's cooking, just have small portions and pair with your salad. And remember, you can always make time for a quick brisk walk and simple calisthenics (20-30 minutes is better than zip).




Remember, keep those M& M's at the forefront. No, not the delicious chocolaty candies! LOL...I am talking about "Moderation and Movement"! You don't have to regret your choices if you are willing to do what it takes to maintain. Remember, your sucess will depend upon your level of commitment and awareness.

Even on the road, you can Make IT Work!
~Kia

"Burn rubber, not your soul."- Slick Will (Biker Boyz, 2003)


~Kia © 2011

5 comments:

  1. Nice post Kia! Good tips and suggestions. The biggest challenge I see is overcoming the laziness of stopping at the easiest/quickest place, getting a burger and back on the road. Nicely done.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is hard on the road. Thanks for the ideas. I am going to try and make an effort to make better choices. I agree, it is easy to grab and go. But, this is helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really enjoyed this post, thank you for sharing. Having a game plan is a great idea. Usually when I road trip I loose my focus and then struggle the next few days to gain it back. I love the MM idea!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you all for your feedback! One little change at a time can change your life. :)

    ReplyDelete