Working Away From Home - Work To Your Heart's Benefit - Heart Research UK

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology;  Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 14 Oct 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Does your work involve long spells away from home? While staying in a hotel can be a treat, restaurant meals and enticing breakfasts can easily see your waistline silently expand. With a bit of planning, you can make working away from home 'work' to your heart's benefit.

• Do some research beforehand - there may be a hotel or B&B in your price range that has sporting facilities nearby or on site. Consider whether you'll be eating out with clients and where to get meals when you're on your own. Keep your portion sizes small and choose light meals, low in fat and salt, to keep up your energy levels without putting a strain on your heart and arteries.

• Avoid skipping breakfast, it's a chance to get two of your 5-a-day (a glass of fruit juice and some fruit) under your belt before you head to work and, ideally, should be your most nutritious meal of the day. Don't feel you have to choose everything on the menu, go for low-fat options: porridge or a boiled egg with whole meal toast are heart-healthier options than a full English with sausages and black pudding or a Continental breakfast of croissants and pastries.

• Weekday evenings are the perfect chance to exercise. Pack what you need for a run, a swim at a local pool, a class at a nearby leisure centre, a round of golf at a local club or driving range, or maybe a game of tennis or squash at a club in the neighbourhood. Find out from the colleagues you'll be working with what facilities are available in the area.

See working away from home as an opportunity to focus on yourself and maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle so that when you return at the weekend you'll be charged up and ready to make the most of your time at home.

Heart Research UK http://www.heartresearch.org.uk