the notebook
Do I keep going or start over?
I don't do a lot of traveling and when I do, they usually aren't long trips. There are two times a year I'm guaranteed to be on trips longer than a week—Christmas and the SXSW festival. SXSW is next week and I'm weighing my workout options.
There are dozens of parties every night with open bars during SXSW Interactive. The music portion is really wild too—at least it has been the past couple of years I've gone.
The challenges
The festival takes place in Austin, Texas where BBQ is very popular. This is great for most of my friends because they consider BBQ an essential part of their diet but it's not good for someone watching what they eat.
Based on past experiences, I know that the busy schedule at SXSW will prevent me from keeping my current routine. I need to be realistic when I decide whether to continue working out or not.
Workout options
As the title suggests, I've narrowed my options down:
- Continue working out
- Take a break and start again when I get home
The first option means I keep pushing play throughout SXSW. I'd have get to the hotel at a decent hour every night, get up on time, and continue my daily workouts. Because I'm doing doubles, I'd also need to be mindful of my time in the evening.
The second option is to take a break during this time. Considering the difficult schedule, this is probably a better idea. Being a week behind is the obvious drawback.
The verdict
Starting Phase 2 over is a better option at this point. I'll need to be more diligent with my eating habits while I'm away. I've ordered an extra box of Beachbody protein bars to take with me. I'll also be keeping an eye on my alcohol intake. I'll have a great time while taking care of myself.
This trip to Austin will be one of the biggest tests of my willpower and self-discipline. My goal is to make this trip a success by sticking to my routine as much as possible and avoiding overindulgence.
