successful losers- tips on 4th of july barbecue?

dovenotes

The time is coming soon for those barbecue family/friends parties. I'm sure many off us newbies would like to know to stay on track. Thank You in advance.

spiritcrusher

Enjoy yourself, you only live once and one day will not ruin a diet or a physique.

If you want to be careful, just get as much protein in there as you can without the breads/buns/etc.

If you need carbs, then have a burger with only half the bun.

Shishkebabs, steaks, chicken breast and all sorts of other things are great for you and won't be bad for you at all.

Avalonis

Enjoy yourself, you only live once and one day will not ruin a diet or a physique.

If you want to be careful, just get as much protein in there as you can without the breads/buns/etc.

If you need carbs, then have a burger with only half the bun.

Shishkebabs, steaks, chicken breast and all sorts of other things are great for you and won't be bad for you at all.

What he said. Ton's of fairl healthy options out there.

TO be honest, even grilled brugers are pretty darn healthy if you don't slather bacon, cheese, and tons of mayonaise on them.
I usually will have a burger, a SMALL scoop of potato salad and a serving of chips. Doesn't kill me, and isnt too much.

flyawaybyebye

BBQ a lean steak (cut off all the fat and choose a lean cut like top sirloin). That way, there is no temptation to eat a bun. Skip the sides (no potato salad, no pasta salad, no corn on the cob, no garlic bread, etc.). Have a green salad, no dressing, no cheese, no croutons. (Cut the steak up into thin slices and put it on the salad if you want.) For dessert, have fruit salad (make sure it doesn't have any sauce on it - no mayo sauce, no whipped cream, etc.) For a really festive fruit salad, make one with pineapple, strawberry and blueberry for a red, "white" and blue fruit salad. If you have to have some sort of creamy something, get some fat-free coolwhip and put a dollop of that on the fruit. Focus the celebrating on the people, the events, etc., and not on the food. Burn off some calories playing volleyball, croquet, etc. with your friends, or just chasing the kids around if you have kids at your celebration. There is no need to take a day off from good nutrition and good health, ever. You can always pick healthier choices, and still have a fun celebration. And taking one day off usually leads to another, and then another... it can start a serious downward spiral if you aren't very careful and very disciplined. I think it's easier just to make healthy, on-plan choices all the time and celebrate your good health along with the holiday.

jgranger221

I plan to get up early on the 4th and put in extra miles biking and/or running just so I don't have to worry too much about eating at the barbeque later. If I put in 1,000 calories of exercise, that's 1,000 calories I can eat back! My wife's friend makes the most amazing macaroni salad and it is really bad for you, but since I only get it once or twice a year, I'm willing to forgo desserts and munchies that day just so I can enjoy the salad. :-)

spiritcrusher

Great post annabelle but I will have to add that I don't recommend the lean cuts of steak unless the person is going to consume excessive amounts of it.

Fats don't make you fat! Good fats are essential to our health and well being and often times provide a better source of energy than carbs to.

In my opinion, feel free to eat a nice fatty steak.

nseuell

And you can always offer to bring some things of your own! I always bring applegate farms organic kosher beef hot dogs to a barbecue, with whole wheat buns. Then, make a healthy salad. This way, you know FOR SURE you have some good options and you can choose one or two other things there but just have a little bit. Also, make sure to exercise the morning of - and enjoy!

dawnw30

I'm going to admit that it will be a free day for me to splurge a bit - in moderation ofcourse! :drinker:

LorinaLynn

Enjoy yourself, you only live once and one day will not ruin a diet or a physique.

That's my plan for the holiday weekend!

My inlaws are coming to town on Friday, and will inevitably want to take us out to eat. Saturday is my brother's 3rd annual pig roast, Pigapalooza III, and there's no way I'm going to count calories! I'll be bringing a dessert of some sort, and imbibing in all kinds of libations. Looking forward to playing beer pong with my mother in law. Sunday, the inlaws will still be in town, and probably want to take us out again. Oh, twist my arm!

But on the 4th, I'm running a 5k with my niece and a bunch of friends.

jpeper1966

Enjoy yourself, you only live once and one day will not ruin a diet or a physique.

Right there is the number one diet killing quote.

One day at a time. That is how we gain weight. Unfortunately In order to remove the 3,000cal "living it up" day from our bodies, we have to cut 600cal out of our already restricted allowance for five days. Use another "excuse" in those five days and you are up another pound.

As others have said, use moderation. Try setting your MFP goal to "maintain" (you can change it back when done) and calculate your daily calorie limit. Use this limit for your party days and also join in activities that get your heart rate up and "earn" a few more calories.

If your friends will not have a low calorie choice for you, then bring your own and share. Let them know that their food is so good that you will eat too much of it , you needed something to help fill you up without risking your diet goals.

spiritcrusher

Enjoy yourself, you only live once and one day will not ruin a diet or a physique.

Right there is the number one diet killing quote.

One day at a time. That is how we gain weight. Unfortunately In order to remove the 3,000cal "living it up" day from our bodies, we have to cut 600cal out of our already restricted allowance for five days. Use another "excuse" in those five days and you are up another pound.

As others have said, use moderation. Try setting your MFP goal to "maintain" (you can change it back when done) and calculate your daily calorie limit. Use this limit for your party days and also join in activities that get your heart rate up and "earn" a few more calories.

If your friends will not have a low calorie choice for you, then bring your own and share. Let them know that their food is so good that you will eat too much of it , you needed something to help fill you up without risking your diet goals.

Absolute nonsense, not only is it scientifically proven that cheat meals and an occasional caloric excess can jump-start your metabolism but enjoying yourself on a holiday will never kill your diet. Your body is physically incapable of gaining lbs of weight in a few days unless you're eating literally 6k~ calories daily. The only weight difference you can see in the next few days is water weight and the restoration of glycogenic stores in your liver. That "one day at a time" part is just sheer nonsense.

I'll repeat, you live life once. If you think you can't enjoy yourself responsibly on a holiday or if it's going to destroy your diet then you may have an eating disorder, I'm sorry to say.

I lost 130 lbs and on my cheat meal, I would eat a ridiculous 4,000k/cal meal and I still lost weight in the next few days.

dovenotes

Enjoy yourself, you only live once and one day will not ruin a diet or a physique.

Right there is the number one diet killing quote.

One day at a time. That is how we gain weight. Unfortunately In order to remove the 3,000cal "living it up" day from our bodies, we have to cut 600cal out of our already restricted allowance for five days. Use another "excuse" in those five days and you are up another pound.

As others have said, use moderation. Try setting your MFP goal to "maintain" (you can change it back when done) and calculate your daily calorie limit. Use this limit for your party days and also join in activities that get your heart rate up and "earn" a few more calories.

If your friends will not have a low calorie choice for you, then bring your own and share. Let them know that their food is so good that you will eat too much of it , you needed something to help fill you up without risking your diet goals.

Absolute nonsense, not only is it scientifically proven that cheat meals and an occasional caloric excess can jump-start your metabolism but enjoying yourself on a holiday will never kill your diet. Your body is physically incapable of gaining lbs of weight in a few days unless you're eating literally 6k~ calories daily. The only weight difference you can see in the next few days is water weight and the restoration of glycogenic stores in your liver. That "one day at a time" part is just sheer nonsense.

I'll repeat, you live life once. If you think you can't enjoy yourself responsibly on a holiday or if it's going to destroy your diet then you may have an eating disorder, I'm sorry to say.

I lost 130 lbs and on my cheat meal, I would eat a ridiculous 4,000k/cal meal and I still lost weight in the next few days.

dls06

Make sure there is a lot of plain grilled boneless chicken, tossed or cucumber, tomato and onion salad with dressing on the side, Grill some zucchini, eggplant , onions, and yellow squash sprayed with olive oil spray, fresh fruit and maybe some marshmallows(everyone needs a treat)

dovenotes

Sorry guys.I'm new to posting. I tried to highlight a few sentences that were inspiring to me but the whole thing copied. Spiritcrusher, thanks for the winning attitude and your success is inspiring! Also like other ideaspresented here as well.

Tonite we went out for pizzeria pizza, and totally enjoyed it. We just planned it into our calories, and are still met our goal without having to deprive ourselves earlier or exercise too much.

dovenotes

yummy idea!

spiritcrusher

Sorry guys.I'm new to posting. I tried to highlight a few sentences that were inspiring to me but the whole thing copied. Spiritcrusher, thanks for the winning attitude and your success is inspiring! Also like other ideaspresented here as well.

Tonite we went out for pizzeria pizza, and totally enjoyed it. We just planned it into our calories, and are still met our goal without having to deprive ourselves earlier or exercise too much.

You got it and thank you

I'm very strict to the concept that we only have one opportunity in this life to make the most of it and while we all want to be in better shape, we can't forget life is a lot more than over analyzing every calorie you eat. The main point is to be responsible! We all go through the fear that an extra 300 calories over your limit will make you gain 100 lbs but as time goes on and we learn how our body works, we realize that it is nonsense. We all gained excessive weight because of lack of exercise and an excessive caloric intake on a daily basis, not because we had a couple of cheat meals every week or two... there are many with thyroid disorders and diseases as well but their situation must be handled a little differently.

Avalonis

I am gonna agree with Spiritcrusher. LOOK AT HIM. He obviously knows what he's talking about.

I am having amazing success as well, and I am treating my "diet" the same as him - NOT a diet. It's a life change. I am not completely cutting out the foods I love, I just eat them in moderation.

You can't cut out what you love, you just need the dedication to control yourself.

This is for YOU. You want it more than you want that extra 2 cheeseburgers with bacon and mayo.

spiritcrusher

I am gonna agree with Spiritcrusher. LOOK AT HIM. He obviously knows what he's talking about.

I am having amazing success as well, and I am treating my "diet" the same as him - NOT a diet. It's a life change. I am not completely cutting out the foods I love, I just eat them in moderation.

You can't cut out what you love, you just need the dedication to control yourself.

This is for YOU. You want it more than you want that extra 2 cheeseburgers with bacon and mayo.

Much appreciated for the comments man!

I'm glad we share the same views on this.

dovenotes

You guys are on track for sure!

I'm sure you know about visualization and affirmation practice- the programing of our subconscious minds.

Two good ones I like from Orindaben:

"I hold a steady image of myself as thin person"

"I am strong and flexible. My muscles are firm and athletic"

We are always programing our subconscious minds, whether we know it or not. Its just a matter of being aware of it and taking back the controls to get it going in the right direction.

muffintopminx

Although I'm worried about food, I think my bigger issue is going to alcohol. :drinker:

Here's my strategy so far - tell me if I'm crazy or if this just won't work:
I'm wondering if I should restrict more calories all week long so I'll have more in the bank at the end of the week to play with.
If my deficit is 500/day, what if I made it 700/day for just this week? That way I'll have maybe 1400 extra calories by July 4th.
Would this work? Technically I'd still have a 3500 deficit at the end of the week, just allocated differently.

I'm also going to do vodka and soda (low cal drink) and alternate with water. Hopefully no wine - that always kills me on calories.
Any other suggestions for low cal alcoholic drinks?

I'm also glad we're going to a pool party because that will make me a bit more conscious of eating - don't want a big burger belly hanging out! And swimming/playing in the pool won't hurt either.

spiritcrusher

Although I'm worried about food, I think my bigger issue is going to alcohol. :drinker:

Here's my strategy so far - tell me if I'm crazy or if this just won't work:
I'm wondering if I should restrict more calories all week long so I'll have more in the bank at the end of the week to play with.
If my deficit is 500/day, what if I made it 700/day for just this week? That way I'll have maybe 1400 extra calories by July 4th.
Would this work? Technically I'd still have a 3500 deficit at the end of the week, just allocated differently.

I'm also going to do vodka and soda (low cal drink) and alternate with water. Hopefully no wine - that always kills me on calories.
Any other suggestions for low cal alcoholic drinks?

I'm also glad we're going to a pool party because that will make me a bit more conscious of eating - don't want a big burger belly hanging out! And swimming/playing in the pool won't hurt either.

The problem with that is that your bodies caloric needs are estimated on a 24 hour period.

So it's not like those eaten or non-eaten calories roll over into the next day.

Your body needs a certain amount of calories to function on a daily basis. Restricting yourself and then eating out on July 4th won't really do anything because you'd still be going over your 24 hour caloric intake.

I wouldn't worry about it that much if I were you. Try to stay away from beers and stick to hard liquors mixed with diet coke or club soda.