This past week I have been away from the house 8 of the last 10 days. This is the kind of situation that thrashes most peoples training programs. You can be very good when you are at home. You are in your comfort zone, you are able to follow your regimen, you can eat what you are supposed to and everything you need is available to you.  Being on the road, you are lucky if you can bring any of your training needs.  You MUST be creative.  (Earlier this week, while in Seattle, I found a group of guys who also train in Sambo and went to train with them.  Got to think outside the box when traveling!)

This trip, I did not want to take a single step backwards, s0 I took precautions.  I have 2 videos with me that are good full body workouts, don’t need any equipment,  and can be done in a confined space.  They are also core centric, so I know I will get a good burn.  I also made sure that I had a supply of decent food and snacks.  Though I hate the Biggest Loser marketing, there is something to be said about knowing where you can find a Subway.  6 inch turkey subs with lots of veggies are great in a pinch, and with Honey Mustard, are usually between 280 – 300 calories. 

Even on the strip in Vegas, I found a Walgreen’s where I was able to get some bottled water (way cheaper than in the casinos), Vitamin Water (I like the XXX), and a 1 lb bag of Blue Diamond Almonds (Raw).  This in addition to my Shakeology daily shake, I am able to make sure I am fueling my body with the right nutrients and proper calorie count. 

The last major piece is keeping the drinking under control.  The booze is flowing in this town, and it can be very easy to finish up my work and then grab a cold one or ten.  For me, all I need to do is look around at the blathering, fat, annoying, loud and ridiculous drunks which can be found, oh, everywhere!  This is enough to make me NOT want to be anything like them.  I am happy to be sipping on Club Soda at the Craps table, or drinking water instead of beer or soda. 

Vegas seems to suck the life out of you.  The air is dry, indoor or out.  The casino/hotel air is full of second hand smoke.  I have to apply lotion to my hands and face 3 times a day or I feel like my skin is turning to paper.  I swear I can feel the anti-oxidants in the Shakeology and Vitamin water battling the toxins that are seeping into my body.  Maybe my body would adjust over time, but I don’t want to be here long enough for it to.

I have 3 more days here, and if I can keep up what I have been doing, I’ll make it through this trip without taking that backwards step.  To me, staying even is a BIG win when traveling, and I plan on winning while in Vegas.  At least at this.  Now, gambling, that is a different story. 

-Rob