Holding It Together on a Long Holiday Weekend

nowine4me

It's much easier for me - and I'm sure most of you -- to stay at my calorie goal during the week. I have tomorrow off, so will be 4 day weekend around people who will want to drink, eat and party away the long weekend. Mostly my husband. Two days of that is hard enough, hope to make it through 4 days without gaining. Long morning runs to start the day off at a deficit will be key. Lots of water. Does anyone else have ideas for 4th of July survival?

2011rocket3touring

Exercise. You get extra calories and tires you out so your in bed earlier.
Stay busy. Plan alot of things to keep your hands and mind occupied that way it doesn't drift to food.
Wear flattering clothes to remind you of what you've achieved so far.

KetoneKaren

Chewing gum. Lots of it.

TarahByte

Good question. I'll be around a bunch of people drinking this weekend and I'm trying to figure out how to be around them without drinking much and also having social anxiety. But I will do like you guys and get some morning exercise to at least start off in a good mood and a calorie deficit.

Moxie42

I'm planning on making some special treats for the holiday weekend that are still healthy. I like to browse Pinterest and see what catches my eye. For example, pineapple + coconut milk + ice = clean virgin pina colada! I'll put it in a cute sundae glass, and have alongside some cold flavored seltzer water in a wine glass with fresh berries added!

My husband and I are also going to forgo the usual parties (that usually just result in a hangover anyway) and invite a couple close friends over (ones who I know will absolutely respect the plan we are following) and have a healthy BBQ of chicken and veggies, and baked apples or caramelized peaches for dessert. That night, we're going to have a fire in the backyard, maybe watch a movie or play Cards Against Humanity, etc.

It's not the usual plan and at first I thought this weekend was going to suck, but the more new, creative ideas I find to try, the more I'm actually looking forward to it!

lorrpb

Have one drink, not several, & make it last a long time. Portion control on the snacks. Fix some low cal snacks like fresh veggies & fruit.

Moxie42

TarahByte wrote: »

Good question. I'll be around a bunch of people drinking this weekend and I'm trying to figure out how to be around them without drinking much and also having social anxiety. But I will do like you guys and get some morning exercise to at least start off in a good mood and a calorie deficit.

IF you want to drink but not too much, here are a couple ideas other than the usual "stick to one an hour and have water in between"- that's great advice but hard to follow when you're hanging out with friends and trying to chill!
* Bring wine and seltzer water. Mix 50/50 in a glass to make a spritz. Now you have a full glass of yum but with half the alcohol.
* Make and bring a pitcher of sangria with wine and fruit, but leave out the brandy. This is another way to still have an alcoholic beverage fill your glass without the alcohol content being as high as it otherwise would be.
* Vodka sodas- these are one of the lowest-cal alcoholic beverages. It's easy to drink too much of it though, so I'd recommend either a very small cup (I'm guessing you're not likely to leave a conversation for a refill every 5 minutes), OR a really big cup with the vodka-soda ratio heavy on the soda (soda as in seltzer water, and add lime or lemon).

(In case anyone is appalled that I'm recommending alcoholic beverages, yes, abstaining is always an option. However, if someone wants a drink, there is nothing wrong with that. My advice is simply for someone who WANTS to enjoy some drinks without going overboard).

JeffreyBurkhalter

It's an opportunity to get more exercise in. I plan on drinking with friends and having a good time. I'll just have to get up and work out, run, kayak, etc. so I can still meet m y goals.

jo_nz

For me, I need to plan ahead. Think about what I will be doing and eating/drinking. Pre-logging it on here to get a real picture of how much I "should" have. Think about some options and be prepared.

The harder part for me is the drinking - even when I drive, people always seem to offer me juice/soda/whatever every time they fill their own cup, when really I would never normally drink 6 cups of anything in an evening. I have had to learn to just say no thanks after I have had enough. I don't need to have a full cup at all times.

Xo_healthylc

I plan on working out in the mornings to have a calorie deficit but also I like to stick with EVENT food. If your having bbq and the menu is grilled ribs and burgers potato salad regular salad and baked beans and you know you eat homemade burgers and baked beans and salad regularly at home then have the ribs and potato salad so it's a treat. I do this with buffets also.

atitagain1958

@Moxie42 You are awesome!! I LOVE the way you think!!!

ogtmama

I agree with Moxie42, I'd also get in a really great workout and then stay at maintenance. Have a great weekend without ruining everything you've worked for

atitagain1958

Plan, plan, plan. I love the drink ideas Moxie had! There are so many healthy recipes you can eat and others will love!! If you go somewhere, take a dish you can eat (large enough for all but "safe" for you). Keep busy, mingle (talk more...eat less). If you MUST try something, have a bite...ONE bite. Now you know what it tastes like. The second or third bite won't taste any different or better. Plan on eating ALL your calories...heck, use your exercise calories too! The goal should be not to GAIN weight instead of losing weight over holidays. It's a time for friend and family! ENJOY yourself!! And DON'T beat yourself up if you go over! Just track it and COME BACK!!! I know you can do this though! Now you need to say...I CAN DO THIS!!!

lulalacroix

I IF, so it really helps on holidays. I save my calories for the end of the day and it feels like I'm enjoying my food much more this way.

Alcohol is my killer. I literally have to measure out and count my wine or alcohol and record it. And if I drink more than a couple of drinks I have to watch out for overeating. I will seriously just tell myself, "who cares? I can eat whatever I want." That kind of thinking is what made me fat. So my bottom line is really watching my drinking.

melissa6771

I'm going to a catered BBQ Saturday, and I got a cortisone shot in my knee today and am grounded from any exercise until at least Monday. This is going to be very tough. I will just do my very best to stay within my calories. Bank some from today and tomorrow. Have only a couple light beers. Stick to salad and meat and a small dessert. That's my plan at the moment, it's always good to have a plan.

Hope everyone has a very happy and healthy holiday weekend.