When you are always invited somewhere..
tracefan
Posts: 382 Member
hubs and I go out a lot.. we have a lot of friends and are always doing something. Whether it's a tailgate party, fancy restaurant, party at a friends house etc. HOW THE HECK do I find the willpower to control my food intake? I do not want to stay home just because I don't want to see that devil on my shoulder.
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Willpower is like any muscle... you have to exercise it! Start by saying no to little things... the third glass of wine, the chocolate you don't actually want as you are already stuffed.0
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Bring your scale. Eat the food but the scale will help you eat in moderation. I know the scale keeps me grounded and not likely to go crazy0
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self control is something that is practiced and exercised, not something that is just magically found. as you practice and exercise self control, it becomes easier just like anything you practice. but like any kind of exercise or practice, it can be a bit painful in the beginning.
ETA: it helps to not stand around the food platters and whatnot. I will usually try to find people to chat with who aren't hovering around the food platters. If I feel like drinking, I drink...but often, I will just nurse a glass of wine for about an hour while I'm chatting...then maybe have another...then maybe a decaf espresso or something or in the summer, most of my friends have iced tea and whatnot out.0 -
Willpower and discrimination are the key.
Try not to eat for the sake of it.
Taste everything, eat only the the things that you love.
Posh dinners, miss a course or opt for salad as an appetiser, dressing on the side.
Drink gin and 0 tonic, it is easy to move between g&t and just t.
Don't eat the whole bun with hot dogs and burgers, or use lettuce instead.
I cruise and have learnt to apply these points when eating out as well.
I don't need to eat all 5-6 courses.
I can have a starter and appetiser and skip the main ( or any combination of the above)
I don't have to finish the plate, especially if it is a rich dish, eat a small portion and enjoy the flavour.
Doggy bags are my friend.
Cheers, h.
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Pick the "best" choice for you when you're out. Does protein satisfy you? Go for the steak at a fancy restaurant instead of a pasta entree. Get "better" for you sides. In terms of alcohol, I stick with wine and hard liquor- I just can't justify the 250-300 calorie IPA's that I love, except for a few times a month.
Also, you could try eating less when you can make your meals at home, to save calories for those going out. Some people go by their weekly calorie average instead of the daily.0 -
Well you can eat less the rest of the time to give yourself more calories for those events... or you can pick lower calorie options when you eat out. They are just as tasty as the fried/sauced dishes.0
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cwolfman13 wrote: »self control is something that is practiced and exercised, not something that is just magically found. as you practice and exercise self control, it becomes easier just like anything you practice. but like any kind of exercise or practice, it can be a bit painful in the beginning.
ETA: it helps to not stand around the food platters and whatnot. I will usually try to find people to chat with who aren't hovering around the food platters. If I feel like drinking, I drink...but often, I will just nurse a glass of wine for about an hour while I'm chatting...then maybe have another...then maybe a decaf espresso or something or in the summer, most of my friends have iced tea and whatnot out.
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Yes you are all correct. I need to practice self control
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What helped me was somebody saying to look at every offering and ask if it is something special or if it'll be around for you to enjoy later down the line. Then just eat the truly special things.
For example... a cook out. Somebody's grilling hot dogs and there is a table of food available. Chips, store bought cookies. Junk. Stuff you can get any day/time you want. Then there is somebody's grandma's recipe for german chocolate cake. I might eat the fruit and veggies (or take responsibility for preparing a tray that is actually appealing to me), then have a slice of the special cake. The rest I say no to. I don't feel deprived because that stuff is always around, and I got the cake that I can't always get. It allows me to stay on track without feeling like I miss out.0 -
You could always ask your friends to not pick restaurants for which the nutrition data is not readily available. You'll probably have to name which do and don't that they frequent. I'm all for exercising self control, don't get me wrong, but if they care about you I'm sure they wouldn't mind picking B over A every so often to help you out. As for non restaurants, bring your scale, again if they care about you you're going to get more compliments on your strength than jeers...0
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Great suggestions already.
Social events are for socializing! Food is just a bonus. Change how you think about it and the rest will eventually fall into place. My family's events are always revolving around food and this was something I had to practice, too. Eat small portions of things you don't normally have a chance to try and leave the rest. Make sure you log your food as your eating it so you know where you are calorie wise and what you can fit in later.
I drink seltzer water with a little lime (or vodka and soda) when I go to restaurants instead of pop/juice. I'll even bring a bottle of it with me to my friends' houses when I hang out with them! Great subsitute0 -
blkandwhite77 wrote: »Bring your scale. Eat the food but the scale will help you eat in moderation. I know the scale keeps me grounded and not likely to go crazy
Not that I'd judge anyone who does, but... carrying around a scale with you seems a bit OTT.0 -
Pre-log as much as possible. Be conscientious and use moderation.0
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What helped me was somebody saying to look at every offering and ask if it is something special or if it'll be around for you to enjoy later down the line. Then just eat the truly special things.
For example... a cook out. Somebody's grilling hot dogs and there is a table of food available. Chips, store bought cookies. Junk. Stuff you can get any day/time you want. Then there is somebody's grandma's recipe for german chocolate cake. I might eat the fruit and veggies (or take responsibility for preparing a tray that is actually appealing to me), then have a slice of the special cake. The rest I say no to. I don't feel deprived because that stuff is always around, and I got the cake that I can't always get. It allows me to stay on track without feeling like I miss out.
Great advice. I will keep this in mind especially at work. Unfortunately our friends are all foodies and fantastic cooks which makes me not want to pass anything up! You won't ever see store bought stuff on the dinner table when we are with company or have company 0 -
Portion control is your friend.0
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MarziPanda95 wrote: »blkandwhite77 wrote: »Bring your scale. Eat the food but the scale will help you eat in moderation. I know the scale keeps me grounded and not likely to go crazy
Not that I'd judge anyone who does, but... carrying around a scale with you seems a bit OTT.MarziPanda95 wrote: »blkandwhite77 wrote: »Bring your scale. Eat the food but the scale will help you eat in moderation. I know the scale keeps me grounded and not likely to go crazy
Not that I'd judge anyone who does, but... carrying around a scale with you seems a bit OTT.
I agree and it doesn't solve the problem if the OP doesn't know the ingredients in the dish that she is eating.0 -
Lots of good tips there. I sometimes eat a light meal or snack (yoghurt) before I go out so that I'm not ravenous when it comes to eating out or other social events. It makes it easier to resist the temptation of extras and make better decisions for the main meal. I also make an effort to eat slowly (chew each bite at least 10 times) and rest my cutlery while I chew. If you take a little longer you take to eat, your brain has more time to register satiety (making it harder to over indulge). I also like to alternate alcoholic drinks with still or sparkling water to save on calories.0
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MarziPanda95 wrote: »blkandwhite77 wrote: »Bring your scale. Eat the food but the scale will help you eat in moderation. I know the scale keeps me grounded and not likely to go crazy
Not that I'd judge anyone who does, but... carrying around a scale with you seems a bit OTT.
Hmmm, maybe for some, but like for me as an example, I am way happier knowing that I have logged accurately so I don't find that I haven't lost and go "crap maybe I didn't log accurately". I'm really determined for this to work, and I am highly susceptible to burn out if I'm not seeing results, so it's absolutely necessary for my peace of mind. So I guess it's fair to say my worrying can get over the top, or my motivation, but it really is a great feeling to lose weight on track and know it's because I took the initiative and made sure I held myself accountable, even though dragging my scale around is kind of a pain in the rear. And I never wonder if I've accidentally cheated myself out of calories I totally could have nommed if I had just weighed the darn food;)0 -
Eyeball portions - 7-8 oz of meat (if you eat meat), grilled is better than fried; 1/2 cup starches (bread, potatoes, rice, pasta); 1-2 cups veg.
Or, 1-1.5 cups starches and a little meat.
Stay away from heavy or sugary sauces, dips, etc.0 -
I used to really struggle with this too, OP! You aren't alone - but know that there are ways around it.
Your weight loss journey should absolutely not hinder your social life whatsoever. Sure, you may not be eating the same high calorie foods as your friends, but there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't continue to enjoy your life. I'm not going to repeat what has already been said, but I'd say this - listen to the suggestions and advice that has been given to you - there are some good options here.
Also remember this, you are a human being - not a robot.0 -
Pondee no I'm not 5 thank you.0
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Appreciate all the help. Bringing veggies and dip to my grill party tomorrow I will drink more water too. That helps fill me up I'm very bad at drinking water. I will do this. My willpower is not as good as it used to be, but I'm sure willing to change that. 0
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clgaram720 wrote: »MarziPanda95 wrote: »blkandwhite77 wrote: »Bring your scale. Eat the food but the scale will help you eat in moderation. I know the scale keeps me grounded and not likely to go crazy
Not that I'd judge anyone who does, but... carrying around a scale with you seems a bit OTT.
Hmmm, maybe for some, but like for me as an example, I am way happier knowing that I have logged accurately so I don't find that I haven't lost and go "crap maybe I didn't log accurately". I'm really determined for this to work, and I am highly susceptible to burn out if I'm not seeing results, so it's absolutely necessary for my peace of mind. So I guess it's fair to say my worrying can get over the top, or my motivation, but it really is a great feeling to lose weight on track and know it's because I took the initiative and made sure I held myself accountable, even though dragging my scale around is kind of a pain in the rear. And I never wonder if I've accidentally cheated myself out of calories I totally could have nommed if I had just weighed the darn food;)
So you bring your scale to a restaurant and weigh your food after a waiter serves it to you? If you are able to do this, good for you. I understand maybe bringing it to a friends house who I am close with and knows I am counting calories but a restaurant I would be too self conscious about all the eye balls on me as I do it lol.0 -
Regarding the original post, it is funny because I find it easier to eat less when I go out to eat or eat with friends. When I am by myself that is when I tend to munch and overeat.
Sip on a drink so that you aren't tempted to eat more than you planned. And I like the advice someone gave previously to look for food that really is special and you wouldn't get a chance to eat otherwise.
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I agree Lasting. and I do eat fish when I go out usually I'm not a steak eater so I try to go light. I personally like to eat out because I don't like to cook. I think my problem is that along with the awesome food that someone is cooking for me and bringing to me.. I tend to get carried away. I will say... for me it's all a mindset. I know if my brain is set to lose weight and have willpower I will do it0
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clgaram720 wrote: »MarziPanda95 wrote: »blkandwhite77 wrote: »Bring your scale. Eat the food but the scale will help you eat in moderation. I know the scale keeps me grounded and not likely to go crazy
Not that I'd judge anyone who does, but... carrying around a scale with you seems a bit OTT.
Hmmm, maybe for some, but like for me as an example, I am way happier knowing that I have logged accurately so I don't find that I haven't lost and go "crap maybe I didn't log accurately". I'm really determined for this to work, and I am highly susceptible to burn out if I'm not seeing results, so it's absolutely necessary for my peace of mind. So I guess it's fair to say my worrying can get over the top, or my motivation, but it really is a great feeling to lose weight on track and know it's because I took the initiative and made sure I held myself accountable, even though dragging my scale around is kind of a pain in the rear. And I never wonder if I've accidentally cheated myself out of calories I totally could have nommed if I had just weighed the darn food;)
Why does the weight of the food matter if you don't know how it was prepared and you don't know the ingredients?
ETA:That would only work if we're talking like "ribeye, 5.5oz", etc. But most restaurants load up on the butter, cream, and oil and you have no idea what's in that pasta, dressing, mashed potatoes, rolls, rice side, sauteed veggies and so on.0 -
Move more when possible. Obviously you'll be expected to sit at a restaurant but at parties, tailgating, etc. stay on your feet. Talk more (without food in your mouth). Sip your drinks! Focus on the company more than the food. Enjoy the food but exercise portion control.0
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Social situations fall into 3 logging categories for me:
-cocktail/open house/hang out type affairs without a sit down meal: I eat before I go, enjoy my friends, probably a glass of wine or two but don't look at the snack food. I'm a believer in partaking of something extraordinary when it is offered, but that is rarely the case at these events, in my experience. Even when catered and the passed hors d'oeuvres look special, they usually taste meh. Whatever I do, I try not to arrive hungry. After a glass of wine I'll be irretrievably in the chips. Game over.
- restaurant dinner: I try to find the menu online, pick something, best guess pre-log (+10g butter), and plan the rest of the day around that. After eating it, I'll adjust what I pre-logged as accurately as I can. Some people put half in a to-go box and weigh it at home to make a more accurate estimate, but I rarely do this. Only twice I can think of when the meal really was twice what I wanted to eat. I usually eat more than half.
- dinner party (or otherwise not pre-loggable): Say the party is Saturday. Know what you're having for dinner Sunday? Log Sunday's dinner Sat. After the party, log the party dinner on Sunday and fit the rest of your Sunday around that. Over the 2 days, it averages out. I rarely do this in maintenance, but when I'm tracking for a deficit as accurately as I can, a "dinner swap" can help.
Cheers!0 -
Right? You summed it up. Everyone wishes it was different than simply "well... just don't!"
It sucks to say no! But if its something you want to be able to do, my strategy for these events (and holidays coming up) is an AM exercise, super light meals (like fill my tummy with veggies so Im stuffed but for very little cals), and then use my 'left over' calories wisely. For me if I can manage to burn 300 calories, and then between Breakfast and Lunch only consume about 800 cals (not unreasonable for one day) then with my personal goals I could eat or drink up to 900 calories. Sure it may not be enough to cover a 6 course meal but having general knowledge about what foods consist of you'll at least be making educated estimates.0
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