Bonum Cursum

I woke up earlier than usual today — not because I’m suddenly into early morning meditation, but because I’m trying to be an adult and get my life together. Since I’m constantly on business trips, I finally have to stick to a diet. Easy to say, hard to do, especially when the only “fit” option at the gas station at six in the morning is a protein bar that tastes like… cardboard. So, I try to live healthily, but the world doesn’t seem quite ready for my new version of “Me – no pastry edition.”

Still, I’m holding it together pretty well — I haven’t passed out in front of the fridge yet, and that’s a success. Sure, something’s still missing from this new menu… maybe soul? Maybe flavor? Maybe just a regular schnitzel. But looking in the mirror, I have to admit, I still look pretty good for my age. Especially compared to some of my classmates from 6B, who already look like life has caught up with them and doesn’t want to let go.

This is actually a pretty serious topic — eating on a business trip isn’t a joke, it’s a survival game. And here are my observations: if you don’t bring anything substantial with you, you can be sure you won’t have anything to eat. I mean, you’ll be left with hot dogs from the gas station and protein bars that claim to have protein but probably contain more cardboard than nutrition. Monotony is the first thing that hits you — the same breakfast options at the hotel every day, the same “fit” salads in plastic cups, and the endless hunt for something that hasn’t been breaded three times before serving. You start to miss even a simple sandwich with cheese, as long as it was made by yourself and had something fresh.

The less you have with you, the more often you start searching — and that’s a trap. Eventually, you fall into the trap of hunger, exhaustion, and craving anything that’s within reach. Whether it’s tortillas with fillings that might have been made a week ago, or a plastic bottle of soda that doesn’t fit into any diet at all. It’s easy to break the rules in the midst of this search, forgetting that you could still eat something that won’t be a huge sacrifice for your health. As a result, instead of eating less, you start eating more — and eating whatever you can. And that eventually leads to one thing: the feeling that you have to get it together… on the next business trip.

The third thing is a paradox: the more you have, the more it can also become a problem. Sometimes, you pack an entire bag full of healthy snacks, only to end up standing in front of all those options, not knowing what to eat. Instead of enjoying the fact that you have everything at hand, you start wandering among those choices, wondering what to pick. Then there’s also the need to share — and with someone who doesn’t quite understand your diet philosophy. So, instead of eating something you had saved for later, you end up giving away some nuts that will soon end up in their bag. And suddenly, all that planning and “organization” just gets more complicated. In the end, the best option is to find a middle ground — bring just enough of what you really need, and the rest you can figure out when you get there.

But hey, the point of these trips isn’t just food, it’s also about finding a balance between work and personal life, even on business trips. You can live in a way that keeps your diet in check, but the key is planning… and knowing when to let it go. Diet shouldn’t be a daily stress, you just need to make smart choices. If you can, pack something healthy to have an alternative in case things go south. I remember one time I forgot my supplements, and for a few days, I had a guilty conscience because I didn’t want to start my day by saying, “Hey, do you have any vitamins here? I forgot mine.” Things like that happen, but you’ve got to treat it with a sense of humor — especially if you can quickly fix the situation.

The most important thing is having a routine, even when you’re on the road. If you have to get up early, plan time for your morning supplements and a healthy breakfast. At first, it might take some organization, but once it becomes a habit, it gets easier. And if the urge to indulge in some guilty pleasures hits, no worries. After all, life on business trips should be about balance, not endlessly chasing the „perfect” meal.

Ultimately, the key is not to forget about yourself. Those little things, like your supplements, will give you the energy to keep going. Without them, a business trip can become more demanding than it seems.

11 tips for people who want to be fit… but not saints
(It was supposed to be 10, but protein powder demanded its own point – sorry, not sorry)

• Canned chicken breast is gold. Doesn’t look great, doesn’t smell great, but hey – it’s protein and it fills you up. Add a pickle, pretend it’s a salad.
• Keto bars? Some are good, some taste like cardboard. Try one, memorize the good ones, and avoid anything that feels like biting into a shoebox.
• Don’t fall for “fit” salads in plastic cups. Ingredients: iceberg lettuce, 3 arugula leaves, half a tomato… and the price of a sushi set. Better make your own.
• Always keep nuts in your bag. Cashews, almonds, even peanuts – better than a “fitness” bar with syrup and lies.
• You don’t need a whole suitcase full of snacks. Take 2 things you’ll actually eat. You won’t want dried kale chips after day three anyway.
• Rotten banana in your backpack = classic. Take one, eat it early. Save yourself the sadness (and the smell).
• A simple cheese sandwich can save the day. Gluten is not always the enemy. Sometimes it’s just lunch.
• Water > vending machine coffee. Hydration works better than that third cup of instant “vanilla-flavored” mystery.
• Gas station tortillas are a gamble. If you’re unsure when they were made – just eat the cardboard bar instead.
• Protein powder is the king of business trips. Tiny pack, big power. Shake it with water, drink it in your hotel bathroom like a champion.
• And don’t forget your memory pills. Because supplements don’t work if you leave them in your bathroom at home.

P.S. Just to sweeten the deal, here’s a picture of the cupcakes, hand made, my wife’s. Don’t worry, they’re not on the „fit snack” list, but they sure are the perfect reward after surviving gas station tortillas and questionable protein bars! 😉 Enjoy!