Weight loss for Road Warriors - Any suggestions?

I have been traveling with my job for about 9 years now. I have always had issues with my weight, but managed to keep them fairly under control. However, August 2006 I had a hysterectomy, then I hurt my knee which curtailed my exercise program, then I tried to quit smoking about 5 months ago (lasted 4 months this time). I was diagnosed insulin resistant (although not diabetic).

My problem is that I have put on about 50 pounds since then, and I am having a heck of a time stopping the climb - let alone starting to take it off. Like I said, I travel with my job, which means eating out every meal. I am in the middle of a stressful install, and I am just finding it VERY difficult to find the willpower. Part of my job is to "wine and dine" the clients as well.

If I could figure out a way to lose this weight I could probably write a book about it and make a fortune! But frankly, I am at a loss, but it is almost impossible to eat truly healthily in regular restaurants. The amount of food they put in front of you is amazing - I never, ever eat it all, and rarely eat more than half already (so the up-front doggie bag idea wouldn't work). I try to avoid sugar, and choose lower calorie - healthy stuff, but it seems to be a losing battle. The salads you get have more calories than a cheeseburger - and the lettuce is usually brown which my system cannot tolerate.

Since my hysterectomy I have made some major efforts, but it seems age (47), lack of activity and the "dining out" factor are making it impossible this time. I starve myself for weeks, with very little progress - I will lose a couple of pounds and stall. I was on South Beach for a while before, and it worked very well but this time the pounds just won't budge, and just keep creeping back up.

I have been thinking about just staying at Residence Inns (with a full kitchen) and cooking all my meals, but I stay in a lot of little towns where not only the hotels are limited, but the food choices are worse. I got a cortisone injection for my knee, and it is working well enough to where I feel I can get into a gentle exercise program again - but I doubt I will be able to get the intensity necessary for real weight loss without surgery.

I guess I am just hoping there is someone on the thread who has gone through a similar situation that can give me some suggestions. I am starting to think I am doomed to obesity. I know there is no "magic pill" and it will take real effort, but I just can't seem to get up the willpower to stick with something for most likely the next year unless I see some results, no matter how small, as long as they are consistent. With the holidays coming up, I am starting to panic! And I really don't want to have to buy another pair of "fat pants" in the next size up. Plus I really want to quit smoking but that usually means about 30 pounds in two months with no real increase in food intake.

Is there any hope for me?