St. Patrick's Day Blues...

wathjo1

I am just starting out on calorie counting, and I have been doing pretty well for a newb. Then St. Patrick's Day came.. I told myself I would have ONE green beer. The atmosphere, the company, the buzz were all just right. Let's just say I didn't stick to the one beer thing.

I am really bad about falling off the wagon once a week. GAH!

(I am doing much, much better than even a month or two ago. Baby steps...)

What do you do to stay focused and committed??

Altagracia220

It was very hard for me in the begining but it has gotten easier. I used to fight myself not to have junk food or unhealthy foods. After a while I just got used to picking healthier choices when I am hungry. With that said, If I go out, which I don't do very often, I will really treat myself to drinks and bar food. I wouldn't feel bad about St. Pat's day as long as you don't make it a habit.

suruda

Don't let a bad evening ruin your whole week! count the beers...it's interesting when I do fall off to see did I fall as hard as I thought I did or not? could I have offset some of those extra calories with a little workout?

Seeing results is what helps me stay focused and on track. The scale, small moves that are much easier at the gym, clothes fitting better, all good things!

Today is a new day...make it a good one!

nstock

I rarely go out drinking anymore... used to do it 3-4 times a week in university! But, if I'm going out, I plan for it, and make sure I enjoy it. I'm not partying everyday, so I'm going to do it without stressing about calories and macros. As long as it's once in awhile it's fine!

PS- one drink is never only one drink

tat2cookie

It is but a day. Don't live in regret. Just know that the rest of the week you will need to knuckle down and not cheat. It helps me to "plan" for days like that. I don't do cheat days, but a cheat meal, or fun night. Like if I know I'm going to the movies or out with my friends. Do I go butt wild, no. But I allow myself that extra drink, or small popcorn without going into a guilt trip. As long as you are working out and eating healthy regularly, one night won't ruin everything.

Need2Exerc1se

I lowered my daily calories just so I can have a couple of high days and it would still even out. It means I have to be more careful with my food choices on most days, but the off days are SO worth it to me.

ShellyBell999

It's a new day. There will be many more days like that. We all have them.
Shake it off and move on.

wathjo1

All great advice!

I am pretty good about waking up the next morning and getting back at it.. I am still really new to this.. I think it's just going to take awhile.

I do need to add more physical activity to my routine. I have a chronic virus that flares up when I overdo it, and I haven't figured out how much is too much just yet. Advice on starting out slowly would be appreciated as well.

I would love some motivational friends, everyone feel free to add me!

callsitlikeiseeit

if im going out/getting together with friends (which is rare for me), im not going to worry about it. im there to have fun, enjoy and its a treat for me, as i live in the boonies and dont really get to do that sort of stuff very often.

Holidays and vacations, same thing. its a treat, a special occasion, and not an every day thing.

i work out so i can, for the most part, eat what i want.

if you're over every day (or most days), theres a problem that needs to be addressed, but if you're pretty much on point, and are within your daily goals the majority of the time, i wouldn't worry about it.

Lounmoun

wathjo1 wrote: »

I am really bad about falling off the wagon once a week. GAH!

(I am doing much, much better than even a month or two ago. Baby steps...)

What do you do to stay focused and committed??

Planning and logging honestly and as accurately as I can manage.
Wanting to lose weight and get in shape more than I want to overindulge.
Having a realistic and reasonable goal. Knowing that it will take time to reach my ultimate goal.
Not being too restrictive or intense. Eating foods I like every day and fitting it all in my calorie goal instead of radically changing my diet in ways I can not maintain.
Having a postive attitude. I am adding things to my life like more vegetables or exercise. Every day I am better off than before.
Exercising a moderate amount. Not doing the same thing every day.
Learning from days I went over my calories or weeks where the scale didn't move. Did I eat a lot of sodium? Do I need more protein foods? Not getting emotional about it. Logging and moving on.

If you fall off the wagon every week maybe you are being too restrictive. You might think about changing your calorie goal or making room for the stuff you like on a regular basis.

wathjo1

I think it's more of a social fall... I should probably start surrounding myself with like-minded people.

lemurcat12

Need2Exerc1se wrote: »

I lowered my daily calories just so I can have a couple of high days and it would still even out. It means I have to be more careful with my food choices on most days, but the off days are SO worth it to me.

I did this successfully in the past (most recently January), and I may go back to it.