I’ve just spent 10 days in Borneo on my group trip with an awesome bunch of women. We had so much fun – from dancing and spotting orangutans and proboscis monkeys to learning about Sabah’s incredible culture. During my travels I put the lessons I’ve been learning through the Juniper program into action to make sure I stayed on track while having fun (and roti cennai – delish!) – so here are my tips for doing the same when you travel.
You can read about why I chose to use Juniper’s treatment program here
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*This post is sponsored by Juniper*
Here’s what I did while travelling to stay on track and have a good time!
I decided to not carry my medical treatment with me
Instead, I took the medical treatment medication the day I left Sydney, and with the allowable leeway of three days (usually it’s taken the same day every week), I’ll be able to take it again when I get home and still stay on the program. If you’re travelling for longer than this there are many ways to take your treatment with you – I wrote about it here. This was a good decision for me on this trip, especially as we have moved to a few different accommodations and locations and I would have been moving the treatment from fridge to fridge – which is also fine and I’ve done it before, but if you don’t have to and can get away with it, leaving it at home really is a nice, easy solution.
I made sure to choose protein at every meal
Through my sessions with my Juniper Health Coach, Emily, I’ve learnt that protein is key to losing weight and to staying full. I’m choosing protein options – omelette, meat (yay for chicken curry at breakfast), or other protein when I can. It makes sense to stay away from the cereal, breads and pastries – and while carbs were never really my choice for breakfast, my choice was just as bad: a coffee! So now I’m choosing to fuel my body instead and making better decisions – and when I’m at home I’m now having eggs, cottage cheese bowls and other yummy protein dense breakfast meals.
Choosing a protein shake as a meal replacement
The Juniper protein shakes are delish and I had them for breakfast a couple of times when I wasn’t feeling like breakfast or the protein option wasn’t for me. That will happen when you’re travelling – you just can’t guarantee what will be on the menu or at the buffet – so it’s really good to have a shake backup. They’re so easy to travel with as they take up very little room, and I just brought a shake container with me to shake them up in. I add cold water and shake, shake, shake. I’m loving the chocolate flavour as a sweet treat too!
A shake and Mount Kinabalu!
Being kind to myself: enjoy a treat and then get back on it!
Roti cennai is one of my most favourite dishes ever, and here in Borneo it is absolutely a must have. Thick flakey hot roti dipped in dahl or fish curry sauce, and I always order a chicken curry to dip and eat it with too. There was no way I was going to come all this way to Borneo and not enjoy it. Past Me would have eaten it and then decided I’ve ruined everything and then gone to the shop and bought chocolates and ice cream and pigged out. New Me says ‘that was delicious’, feels happy and then gets back on the plan.
This is such a HUGE change for me, and I’m really proud!
Keeping my steps up and moving my body
I really tried to make sure I walked my 10,000 steps a day but sometimes it just wasn’t possible, but again I was happy I was doing my best! I do as much as I can and I try and keep moving – even when I’m in the pool chatting with the ladies, I’m still moving my body running on the spot or just moving myself around. Every little bit of movement helps!
General attitude change – thanks to learning more about mindset
For the whole trip I carried a packet of chocolate Caramello Koalas AND a packet of TimTams to give to the staff at the Hong Kong Qantas lounge (who were so sweet to me and Em last time we were there) on my way home. Do you know what? I didn’t eaten them and this is unheard of for me! The thought crossed my mind once and then I said no and that was it. I don’t need to eat the sweets, they will always be there should I choose to eat them another time – but there’s no need now. Overcoming that weird scarcity mindset has been so helpful and I’m so proud of myself!
I’m happy with how well I did, but I do have some areas to improve:
Do the work outs/use the gym.
I had planned to do a workout in my room each day or at least use the gym for weights but it hasn’t happened. Again, I won’t beat myself up, but I will try and put something in place for my next trip
Pack high protein snacks for the flight out.
I don’t really like eating on the plane but I did get sucked in to the ice cream and the curry on the flight over!
Next time I’m going to be more conscious and prepared – and maybe take some snacks with me…let me see what I can come up with and I’ll share some high protein snacks to pack for flights next.
If you have any tips please share below! I’d love to add them here.