In Reply to: Healthy Bali food posted by helen_nihon on Monday, 31. March 2003 at 15:23 Bali Time:
I took some protein bars with me to have as meal replacement bars in case I got stuck somewhere the food choices were not healthy enough for me...so I would not stress out over having no choices. I also took a quantity of protein drink powder. I pretty much always ate Indonesian food. The meals are quite balanced really as far as protein/carbs/fats go..and you can always ask that they dont use much oil, or you can scrape off satay sauces, or even order two poached eggs for breakfast and just eat the whites. Meal sizes are not too big, so I often had nasi goreng or similar for breakfast and managed to get 5-6 small meals a day, adding fruit or even using fruit and a bit of protein bar for a snack size meal. Their fruit smoothies are wonderful!
With daily exercise of walking everywhere if possible, or a run in the wonderful early cool of the morning, I usually come back about a kilo lighter. (Of course, I drink diet coke, not Bintangs, which helps there).
Do take good quality running shoes. The road surfaces are often uneven and potholed in places, and footpaths go up and down (which I found was neat as it was like getting a free 'step' class)and you are less likely to have an accident while exercising. Take also several pairs of good sox and some tinea powder just in case.
Skin needs care in such a climate so shower soon after exercising and wear clothing that does not chafe.
Many hotels have gyms that members of the public can pay a fee to use, plus there are some gyms there that charge by the visit/day which is great if you want to keep up with your weights programme. Otherwise, plan with your trainer before you go a programme of resistance work, ie pushups, tricep dips, squats etc to keep you toned.
And if exercising you will need even more water than others. Is very easy to get dehydrated before you realise. (Two decent sized water bottles make good matched handweights too).
If I can find my dictionary I will come back and leave some key Indonesiaon words you may need.
But do go..do have fun..dont worry ..the supermarkets are big and well-stocked.
And dont forget you can often specify special meal requirements with the airlines for your flight there and back.