A newbie with a bad week ahead

ApronMom
ApronMom Posts: 16
in Motivation and Support
I've been using MFP for 2 weeks now and am so happy with it so far. The next week and a half are going to be filled with land mines for watching my daily goals. Today was my youngest son's birthday, I had no idea Szechuan chicken was nearly 1/2 my daily intake of calories!!! Then I had a small piece of cake and ended up with a little over 100 calories left...and that was at lunch time!!! In the week ahead I'll have my middle son's birthday and my eldest son's high school graduation! I feel so overwhelmed right now. I'm sure it's probably a matter of making better food choices ie. Szechuan chicken, but I'm so new to this I'm still trying to figure it all out. Any ideas, helps even encouragement to help me navigate all this would help me so, so much.

Replies

  • just4nessa
    just4nessa Posts: 459 Member
    If possible, research your food options before you have to order. A lot of restaurants have nutritional information posted online, or you could scan the MFP or USDA databases for healthier/lower calorie options. And accept that life continues to happen, birthdays, weddings, graduations, etc...expect to have to cut yourself a little slack now and then to enjoy it. Best of luck to you. :flowerforyou:
  • Adc7225
    Adc7225 Posts: 1,318 Member
    Since I am not sure what your goal is and how much you are trying to lose I can offer that in real-life there will be times when we will not be able to eat the way we want. Parties, holidays, stress, etc., will come into our lives and we will eat things that we may later regret. Don't regret it, accept it and at times when you can plan ahead do, or even after the fact be a little more disciplined in your eating as way of balancing out the week. I believe it is worse for our systems when we stress over it instead of just enjoying it. Sorry meals are one of our biggest and best ways that we interact with family and friends, sometimes food is meant to just be enjoyed in moderation :smile:
  • Cndngirl
    Cndngirl Posts: 15
    If you don't have many options food-wise, are you able to bump up your activity level for each day....whether it be a walk, run, small workout? I've had a few days where I have been creeping up on my caloric intake for the day, so I try to incorporate some kind of physical activity to help balance the day.
  • spoiledpuppies
    spoiledpuppies Posts: 675 Member
    It can be quite the rude awakening when you realize how many calories are in everything. My recommendation is to pre-log everything you eat, even tastes or nibbles. It will make you think about whether you really want it.

    Regarding your upcoming events, it sounds like you'll have the benefit of playing host and preparing the menus. Make sure you include light things that you enjoy so you're not hungry. I know that some people will say that you should just have some treats, but in small portions. But for me, it would be easier to just abstain from the desserts and other high-calorie foods entirely. (I'd rather enjoy my small portion later in peace vs. in a chaotic crowd.) Maybe have some lower-calorie fruit available to eat while everyone else is having cake. I find that the amount of time that it actually takes people to eat the cake amounts to about 10 minutes, and once you're past that, you'll be so proud of yourself.
  • ApronMom
    ApronMom Posts: 16
    Thank you all for your encouragement, I will try your suggestions, portion sizes, different options etc. I can't thank you enough. I promise I will not be to hard on myself for some indiscretions. I want to be careful as I'm just starting out here to keep the momentum going so I'll try not to fall too far off the wagon. Reese Peanut Butter ice cream cake is calling my name and I will not answer...again anyway. ;)

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