5 Tips For Maintaining Weight Loss While Traveling

As a successful Lap-Band patient and mentor, I always have a plan to maintain my weight loss, especially when I travel. I was someone who struggled with obesity all my life, but now I am someone who has successfully used a Lap-Band to reach and maintain my desired weight.

Successful members of the Banded Living community:

1. always have a plan, especially when we travel

2. believe that there are NO EXCUSES

3. understand how the Lap Band bands work with solid foods to control hunger and maintain satiety

4. make sure we have enough protein at every meal

5. take responsibility for our needs (even if it requires us to be assertive or a little embarrassed at times)

Sometimes an anecdote from real life is the best way to illustrate what it takes to be successful. Recently, I was travelling back to the east coast from Southern CA.

"What are you concocting in there?" was the stewardess' question. Making a protein drink I told her. Did she think the powder I was pouring into my water bottle was some sort of explosive? No, I don't think so, but it did cross my mind.

It's really important for gastric band patients to stick to solid foods, and restrict liquids calories to a minimum (zero is a good number). For me, protein drinks can be an exception in certain circumstances, especially when I'm travelling.

Traveling is something I do a lot of, and I've learned not to let it be an excuse for me. Part of my plan for having the right foods available, meaning enough protein and good quality calories, is to carry my own supply. Protein powder packs really well, goes through airport security and mixes easily with water. I have my protein drink, wait, and then have my solids (it's easy to bring an apple or baby carrots or get them in the airport or on the plane). NO EXCUSES. That way I get my protein, I get my fluids, but I also get full with good quality solid food. It's a trick that has kept me on track while earning platinum status on more than a few airlines, and has kept me out of lots of minibars...

Now to be honest, I liked my westbound protein solution better. My husband grilled and sliced a steak for me, with TLC. On this flight the protein powder worked for me with 100 calories and 20 grams of protein, and I was able to use the carrots to get the feeling of satiety.