I Need Late Night Diet Help BADLY!

[Hollywood5]

Here's my problem. I play in one of the more popular cover bands here in Saint Louis and we're booked alot. A quick synopsis of a gig night starts around 6-7pm arriving at the club, loading in tons of equipment sometimes for great distances. We're a very active, moving about, band so we sweat and get a good cardio workout (I'd compare it to a light Tae-bo workout) 4 times a night, for usually 4 different sets a night at 45 minutes a piece. Then break down all the same equipment in reverse. By this time it's about 2AM and I'd estimate I've burned around 1500 to 2000 calories since the 7pm start of the night. Problem being, I don't have much time to cook when I get home and when you're that exhausted and passing 18, 24 hour Taco Bell's on the way home, it's REALLY hard to resist temptation. Can you guys offer any advice on how you beat late night cravings. It's bad enough that I have a few beers and shots are bought for the band all through the show. The post show trips to Taco Bell and Denny's are killing my diet, but seem almost uncontrollably avoidable. Thanks! Jay

[.V.]

Sure, march right into that taco bell, order two chicken taco salads, toss the shells, add some salsa - and you have a tasty meal that won't load you up on fat or late night bleached/unhealthy/low fiber carbs.

I order one at our local mexican resturaunt, but they are bigger than the taco bell variety and are loaded with a great deal of chicken.

[Hollywood5]

that's definitely not a bad idea, and i've even gone as far as to try to prepare meals in advance that are waiting at home. I think the REAL problem is between being exhausted, and on occasions using beer judgment, it's just a tough judgement call picturing that dry chicken breast in the fridge at home when I'm 5 minutes from a big, tasty, chili cheese burrito. It just gets so bad at times that envisioning the consequences doesn't outweigh the damage I'm doing. Are there any tricks you guys use to force your mind to not be week. This is one of my downfalls. In my defense I'll do the cardio needed the next day to undo the damage, but I'm just looking to escape the circle of bad, post-show judgement. I mean, I'm married now, so I no longer have the "other" post show vice to fall back on after a show. That candy shop has since been closed....lol.

[Klide]

Can't really say there are any tricks bro. I am in an original band playing 4 nights a week so I understand. We will be on tour the middle of next year and I am preparing my plan of attack NOW as to what I will need to keep up with my nutrition and exersice. All I can offer as advice is bring food and exersice will power.

[Hollywood5]

wow dude, good luck with that. i can't even imagine staying in shape on the road without a gifted metabolism!

[Klide]

thanks man! yeah it scares me a little. I mean the kind of nutrition options you are gonna have in the middle of the night while traveling to the next show are slim at best. I will just do my best to make a plan and try not to stray from it too much.

[Wolfnatas]

For portable protien options, there's canned chicken with the "no can-opener required" lid, bags-o-tuna, sardines, etc.. Any one of which will not necessarily thrill your tastebuds but they'll definitely satisfy your protien needs & make you feel less guilty in the morning. I keep a couple of each of these in my travel bag just in case I get caught working late onsite or have to stay out of town or something. If I wind up at Taco bell, at least it's not because "I just had to have something".