Hi all,

This is day 6 of my IP protocol. I think I am down about 8-9 but I am going to go by my coaches scale.

I am worried as I have to travel to a conference in Chicago next week and you know what kind of food they always have at those things. Plus lots of drinks, which will be hard because I love a good glass of wine. I plan to take as much IP food as possible but it might be hard to prepare some of it during the day. I most likely won't have access to a grocery store or mean to get there. But I am going to try.

So any suggestions from you pros out there would be greatly appreciated. I meet with my coach on Monday and leave on Tues.

Thanks
KJAC

Does the hotel have a restaurant/bar? If so google or call to get their menu. If they have salads with chicken or seafood you are all set just bring your own dressing. Bring the a good insulated lunch box and you can have your salad packed up before the conference while you have a cup of coffee. If you are 'on your own' for dinner, as in most conferences I've been too, you can order dinner wisely then you only have to worry about breakfast and lunch. Remember that you can substitute eggs for a breakfast packet. Or bring enough RTD drinks (or in my case Muscle Milk Light) for breakfast/lunch/snack. If your conference is supplying lunch you can bet there will at least be salad. You can do it!

While you can substitute eggs, i would be careful with them, who knows what they put in them (I've just learned from these boards Ihop puts pancake batter in theirs...so even tho it might jsut be eggs they could have a bunch of hidden things you don't want to be eating in them)...

You can always have drink mixes too...someone once mentioned that they would mix these in water bottles supplied at the conferences in the bathroom lol..i found that funny..and full of devotion to the plan.

If you are into walden farms products they do have the single serve salad dressing packets..maybe you could pick some up before you leave?

lastly, as mentioned here numerous times...almost every restaurant provides at least one lean protein meal on their menu...and are willing to sub out the fries/rice what have you for veggies for us.

And i would try and google the bar/hotel to see if you can pre-plan even more...safe travels. and good luck.

Subbing eggs for a packet:
1 whole egg + 2 egg whites = omelette packet

Here is a great thread with LOTS of ideas started by someone who traveled a LOT for work and who is now at goal
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...d-warrior.html

Eggs.. Always ask for whole fresh ones. I usually order egg white omlettes because that's what I prefer...and I tell them..fresh egg white only..

Thanks all for the ideas. Will be at McCormick center for most meals so I will do my best. Will be taking drink mixes, WF dressing puts and lots of water.

Don't forget about the bars.. while they are restricted to 1 per day, you can keep it in your purse in case you can't find anything else! I also use the EAS carb control RTD shakes in a pinch.. they are small and easy to carry with you!

Most drug stores (CVS/rite Aid, etc) also carry EAS shakes (be sure they are Advantage Carb Control). I know these stores are pretty plentiful in downtown Chicago. They charge about double at those stores ($5 at Walmart; $9 at drug stores) but would be worth it because they are easy... And cost-effective compared to most conference lunches!!

When we went to some gatherings for work and everyone was drinking wine I put crystal light in my water (was in a fancy glass too) no one knew it was just water and crystal light lol.