Work hard. Eat Right.

Posted in A Day in the Life of a Flight Attendant | 6 comments

I’m finding it harder to eat right when I’m at work (and when I’m home for that matter). As you know from reading my past posts (because you all subscribe and read the blog religiously, right?) my airline gives us crew meals. Well, in a way. We’re allowed to eat meals that would have been for sale in the main cabin, if they’re not sold toward the middle-to-end of the flight.

Knowing that this food is there, makes me want to eat it. Knowing its free, makes me want to eat it. I might not be hungry, but I’ll eat it.

Being an ex-fat kid you would think that I would have built up some will power in fending off bored eating, but I haven’t.. and lately its been worse.

I do pack food, and good food, in my eBag crew cooler but a lot of the time I forget that its even there, or I’ll use that food for my layover to save me from spending money on an over-priced airport or hotel restaurant. Furthermore, I’m running out of ideas on what to pack and bring with me.. what stays good for four days? how do you keep it cold?

I think I need to do some research into proper packing of a crew cooler for a four day trip, even if some passengers like Carlitos, don’t want flight attendants to carry crew coolers or bags in the cabin overhead bins.

Something else I need to work on is my drive to go to the gym when I get to my layover hotel. I usually have high ambitions the morning of whatever flight I’m about to work. I tell myself ‘when I get to Los Angeles, I’ll go to the gym.. run for an hour.. and I’ll be good’ but the second I see that bed in my hotel room, all bets are off. I don’t even necessarily have to lay on it, it just signifies relaxation after working a 6.5 hour flight, and I do nothing but play on the internet, write on here or for my other websites.

How do those hot, good looking flight attendants do it? Where do they get the drive to eat right and work out on the road after a long flight?

What motivates you?

I’m thinking I’m going to try to motivate myself by forcing myself to post the measures I’m taking to lose weight.

This way, I can see the progress I’m making and maybe I can motivate someone else to do the same, and can use the support from whoever reads this blog to further me along. I’m guessing I can afford to lose 15lbs or so. That shouldn’t be too hard. [easier said than done, I know!]

So for starters, for those of you reading this.. what kind of food do you pack? how does it keep? what motivates you to go to the gym on your layover?

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  • http://airboy.sodwee.com Airboy

    I’m the worst when it comes to eating right and work out. I’m a bad influence in that field.

  • Steff

    I don’t fly anymore (waaaa) but I can totally relate! I packed food too and still ate way too much crap because it was THERE. ;)

    I also had ZERO motivation to go to the hotel gyms. Hell, I am a stay at home mom now with a treadmill in my playroom and all it gets is dusty.

    I will be curious to read some good ideas for you!

    Steff :)

  • http://www.postcardsandcoasters.blogspot.com Sherri

    I’m also bad at packing a food bag and working out. I try to bring things that don’t have to go on ice. I usually bring chicken in a can & bread & sometimes soup. I’m always amazed when I fly with a FA who knows how to pack a food bag with yummy things.

    Since I’m not good at working out I like to get out and walk. Then I get to explore, get fresh air and walking has to count for something right?

  • http://www.aupaysdelazur.blogspot.com/ Azur

    Hi, first sorry for some errors that I can do there, i’m french.

    According to me, the best things to do to improve your motivation to eat your food bag is to bring things that are interresting to eat, even if this things are more expensive… It isn’t a reason to cut the money on food. :)

  • http://flythefriendlyskies.blogspot.com Megan

    In training, they told us most flight attendants gain weight when starting this job. It makes sense, different eating times, time zones, jet lag, lack of options…
    so to combat this I decided I was going to run a 1/2 marathon… a bit extreme? Maybe, but it got me moving and I told everyone to keep me on track. So far, no weight gain and I am training for a full next year…

    Besides finding a way to keep yourself motivated, eating right is key. I agree with Azur, you shouldn’t skimp on good food. The most important investment you can make is with your body.
    I pack breakfast and lunch for everyday I am gone and eat dinner usually on the overnights. I always mix up what I bring. Watch too much pre-packaged foods, all are high in sodium… I tend to go with oatmeal and fruit for breakfast. I usually bring some things I have to eat within the first day or two (cut up pineapple, or grapes) and some that will last longer… apples.
    Lunch I usually do sandwhiches and a snack. I’ve packed turkey & cheese, PB&J, Chicken salad, tuna… I love the 100 cal packs. I have an issue with portion control so those really help me.

    I’ve found that veggies are the hardest for me to pack. (Besides carrying carrots and hummus, or celery and pb) so I try and get a salad in for dinner.

    Hope this helps. :)

  • http://www.crewcompanion.com/EXPERT.php The Crew Companion

    I have been packing my eBag religiously for over 5 years. I first start my plan the day before my trip (sorry RSV peeps). If its 3 or more days long I will freeze what I make and that helps keep things cool in my bag. I make full healthy higher protein meals and sides all in tupperware so I can just pop in micro at layover. Think turkey burgers or turkey meatloaf and whole wheat couscous and veggies. I use those as main meals during my day. Green leafy food of course is the hardest to find but what I have been doing as of late is going to Vitamin shoppe and buying “greens to go” and getting my veggies that way. Not the same as a real salad but it works on trip. Also of course oatmeal for breakfast in room that fills me up in morning. Motivation at the hotel gym is very hard but you just have to hunker down and do it. The alternative is to sit in your room and watch Jude Judy?? hope this helps.