In a message dated 08/03/2002 3:52:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> I work as a project manager in various aspects Television Technology.

Been there, done that.  It'll be a challenge but with planning you can handle
any situation.

> Lots of airplane meals, customer dinners, late night hotel
> food.  Occasional all-nighters bringing systems on-line.

This one is easy.  You pack a care package for yourself and carry it in your
briefcase.  Nuts, foil tuna packs, jerky, etc.  You DON'T eat airplane food.
Hotels are a no-brainer - I've never been to one that didn't offer steaks,
fish, salads, fresh vegetables.  Eat a large breakfast of safe foods.  Keep
your care package replenished so you have an option if you're stuck for
lunch.  Dinner at a hotel, even in a foreign country, should not be much of a
challenge.  Take the time and energy to find out what the menu offers, even
if it's in a foreign language.

Develop "allergies" that you can pull out as an excuse when customers want
you to try something that is not acceptable to you.  This will work, same as
it does with people back home.  Keep the conversation rolling and they will
not pay as much attention to what you are eating.

The real challenge is never that what you need is not available, but that
there's lot of *other stuff* in your face.  If you don't stand firm in your
commitment to your health, there will always be a million reasons why you
*can't* do what you need to do.

My most challenging situations were always getting transportation and
directions to a nearby food/health store when I pulled into a new city.  But
since the majority of my expenses were covered, I could afford to keep a nice
stash of goodies and to say *no* to brought-in sandwiches.

Good luck!  Think of this as just another project, which requires planning,
resources, and status reports.