How do you maintain your social life?

HealthWoke0ish

Well...back in my younger days...

I'd eat something (chicken breast, etc) that was lower cal, higher protein (I was always trying to increase protein back in the day), etc. before going out.

Then, I could just snack and drink. Cheaper, fewer calories, and less alcohol to get buzzed.

Good luck!:drinker:

roniredd

I work to cut down on the amount that I would have typically eaten or drinken. For example, instead of drinken 3 beers, I would only drink 2 ... or switch to light beer or wine. I now make what I call a "skinny" cosmo too. Jut make small changes, they will add up.

Ninkyou

Plan ahead. If it's the weekend, then I will go for a nice long hike. I'll then eat lightly through the day and save all of my calories for dinner. This is pretty much my plan for Thanksgiving too.

Also, I try not to take things so seriously. One day of a family get-together or eating out isn't going to ruin all my hard work. Eat for the event/dinner/whatever and then it's right back to normal the next day.

kevin3344

First, let me say it CAN be done because I'm at goal weight (well, joined MFP at goal weight pretty much) and go out ALL the time. Except, my friends and I are very big runners so we burn it off....half marathons, marathons, 8ks, 10ks, warrior dash, spartan sprint....so my advice is to take up running (burn it off). I enjoy a nice steak & drinks like the next guy and those are a LOT of calories on a Friday night...just be prepared to put in the work for those cals!!!

I have a wide variety of friends and we have a blast....we're always traveling for races, renting beach houses, riding motorcycles...we love to have fun but you have to have the other side, too. It's still the same formula, calories in vs. calories out. There are no shortcuts

AprilLizbethWire

I kind of have the same problem. It's really hard because in our society socializing revolves around high calorie activities. Which means we have to change our mindset about what socializing actually is. You're not going just for the food and booze are you? You're going to hang out with your friends. Permanent weight loss isn't really about dieting, it's about completely changing your diet - every day of the week (including weekends). It's okay to splurge every once in awhile - like birthdays and some holidays - but every weekend (even with cutting out calories during the week) is a little much. Pay more attention to the time spent having fun with your buddies. Also, think about the quality and nutrition of the foods you're eating and use that to make better decisions at every meal - whether you're eating out with friends or spending the night at home.

I'm currently working on cutting animal products, sugar, and overly processed foods out of my diet and moving to more plant based whole foods. So far it's been challenging eating out, but not as bad as I first predicted. The hardest thing for me is the "you're weird" or "she's always so difficult" looks I believe I'm getting. But my husband has informed me that the only person who really make a big deal about what I'm eating or not eating is me. Honestly, I try not to eat out. I prefer to know first hand what I'm eating. But If it's something unavoidable most restaurants have healthier choices on their menus. Sometimes I sneak in my own food to eat with a salad or some other side I've ordered from the restaurant. I don't drink anything but water usually so I don't really have a problem with trying to balance out the beer calories. My advice on that would be to cut back on your drinking - it's really not good for you anyway.

danofthedead1979

well, ive got the work christmas do at the end of the month, as usual it will be a hedonistic mix of food and copious amounts of drink. im serious about keeping my weight loss on track, i will be trying to build up a good deficit between now and then, that i can blow that night. other than that, i dont have much of a social life atm out of choice, getting to the weight i want to be is more important. i cant do both.

themommie

Plan ahead, decide where u r going ahead of time look at the menu at home and decide what younwill have including drinks

get in some extra exercise

cut back a little each day maybe 150 cals a day for 3 or 4 days before I know I am going out or to party and then I have an extra 450-600 cals to use for the weekend, party or holiday

hope this helps

avskk

I find I can fit plenty of booze in on a Saturday night as long as I eat light meals during the day. About once a month I get the alcohol munchies and drunkenly eat whatever I've been craving all week at midnight; I log it if I remember to and don't worry about it if I don't. Eating out hasn't really been a concern, as I'm pretty broke and most of my friends are too. Mostly we sit around on someone's porch, have some drinks, and relax. It's been (fortunately for me) pretty easy.

gemaquaries

I haven't figured out a good way to do this yet.... so in a way i don't really

LOL and then I wonder why I get off track so easily (I'm VERY social)

Francl27

I don't have one...