My Derailer: Because Fun and Exercise Gets in the Way

This post is sponsored by Pure Protein. For our sponsored post policy, click here.

You can’t always plan how your day is going to go. And when you end up being away from home longer than you’d intended — for any reason, good or bad — it can really throw off your healthy eating habits. We have a name for those tricksters: Derailers. This funny video about air travel derailers might hit a little close to home for some of you!

My personal derailers are considerably less sinister than this smooth-talking pilot. I’ve mentioned before that I’m really lucky to have found a really fun, athletic, active social group. Nearly every night of the week (and a considerable number of mornings), some combination of friends is getting together for some sort of workout … and it’s really hard to pass any of them up.

Normally, that’s really not a problem for me — I’m certainly no stranger to two-a-days, so hitting the gym in the morning and joining up with a group run after work? I don’t think twice. But when I find myself going from, say, a run on the beach directly to an impromptu bike ride with friends … that’s a little more problematic because, well, a girl’s gotta eat. And this girl’s gotta eat some quality protein if she’s going to keep up with this crazy group.
I think we all know that I’m a big fan of a protein-packed smoothie to start the day (or for lunch, or as a snack), but when I’m rushing to get into dry clothes because I just finished an awesome swim workout and got out of the pool to find a text from a friend about hitting up a hip hop dance class across town, I don’t even have time to swing by my house, let alone whip up a smoothie. And if we happen to be finishing up right around sunset, don’t even ask me not to pop by the beach on the way home to meet up with a few other friends and celebrate a gorgeous end to an awesome day. It won’t hit me until I’m settled in the sand (maybe with a glass of champagne in hand) that I probably should’ve eaten dinner an hour ago.
That’s why it’s extremely handy to have Pure Protein Bars tucked away in my gym bag to hold me over until I have a chance to grab a real meal.

Each Pure Protein Bar delivers between 19 and 32 grams of pure whey protein — it’s not only essential nutrition for strength and lean mass, but it’s also enough to stave off a post-swim/pre-twerk hangry situation. And, each gluten-free bar has just 3 grams (or less) of sugar.  There are a variety of flavors (my two faves are Chocolate Salted Caramel and Chocolate Peanut Butter) to help you keep on track with your healthy eating habits without missing a beat.
Which is of particular importance when you’re in a jam-packed, fast-pace dance class, let me tell you.
Now that summer’s here, I know these exciting, spur of the moment active opps are only going to increase, both at home and as I’m on the road/in the air for a few cross-country summer trips. So, whether I’m on my way to the tennis courts after a strength session at the gym or on a plane for several hours with no airline options but those sad little pretzels or a snack box with three kinds of cured meats that I don’t eat, I’m not going to get off track. I’ll plan ahead to beat those derailers with a Pure Protein Bar or two at the ready!
What are the biggest healthy eating derailers you face? I think it’s important to be aware that even the things we love to do and are generally good for us, like workouts with friends, can be a derailer! —Kristen
Thanks again for sponsoring this post, Pure Protein!