feast coming up and I know I will gorge--how to eat the rest

chubba10000

A friend's wedding is coming up, he is a big foodie, and among other events we are throwing him a bachelor party that involves a whole roast pig. I am being realistic and facing the fact that given my great and abiding love for swine and booze that I will eat and drink a lot over the course of those three days. I plan to try to keep my non-event-related eating to a bare minimum during those days, but between hangovers and lots of old friends in town even that is going to be hard. Still, that doesn't mean I'm throwing in the towel altogether.

My question is whether I should try to keep way under my calorie counts for the rest of the week or so surrounding the wedding events, or just eat the recommended amounts as usual? Should I try to average it out over the week? I know this is not generally recommended practice as it throws your body into starvation mode, but I sorta doubt that my body will be under any kind of illusion that it's starving when it gets several multi-thousand calories days in the middle of it all. I'm thinking of trying to stay about 2-300 calories under the rest of the week surround the events, and then the following week getting back to normal. I have been using MFP for about a month and have been steadily losing as promised, in fact I am beating the rate it predicts.

Thoughts, recommendations?

arykh24

It sounds like your weight loss is going great so far! Don't ruin it! I know you will partake in some of the food and drink...but try to eat before you go so you aren't as hungry. Remind yourself how you will feel afterwards when you see a weight gain on the scale!!! Don't let the food control you and ruin all of your hard work thus far!

Loko_Ino

Well since you are not on a diet but are living a new life-style I say have fun...it is a joyous time and not something you do all the time.
That being said, dont eat the skin, of course, stay with the leaner cut. Being cook luau style? If so then you are good, just not fat or skin. Watch the beer intake. Have fun. Workout the next day and up your water intake.

AprilG412

I don't know you, but I think that you already have a good idea of what you should do. Try as best as you can to control your food intake, workout a little more before and after the 3 days. Enjoy yourself, keep your goals in mind and I am sure you will be fine.

Cranachtheelder

Can you try to up your exercise regime during the festivities? Go for a good walk or two? Take some friends with you? Try to pick the healthier options available, but still enjoy yourself. Don't restrict yourself the we before, it's nonproductive, just get back on track afterwards and add extra walks/exercise for a while. Have a great time, and don't stress about it too much.

dmpizza

In my opinion, important events like Weddings, etc..nourish your soul( or just make you who you are), so at those events, you should eat well, not like a pig, but you should be full and participate in all the courses.
You shouldn't starve yourself, especially that day, because the alcohol would just slam you right away.
Make some time for a day or two afterwards to exercise some more and continue eating "right" as soon as you leave the wedding.
Remember special events only last one day or even just one meal.

CrimsonHellkite

just do like normal before the events, and when the time for the fun comes eat as much freaking pig and beer(or alcohol of your choice) that you want, 2-3 days isnt gonna kill anything and then just make sure you get back into your healthy lifestyle when its over.
and of course im not just sayin eat to eat but just eat what you think you want/need...as long as these things dont happen every week you will be fine lol

enjoy yourself!

sister_bear

Eat normally on non-event days and then have fun on event days. Log honestly and try to make smart choices, but it's a special occasion. Enjoy yourself and don't deprive yourself. I try to hit the veggie tray and skip the cheese sticks... If you're not a light beer drinking, dark beers are typically lower in calorie than regular beers. This is a special occasion. Have fun.

jtbaddison

LOL. I would force myself to get up each morning, and run my tail off. At least, you'll feel better than your buddies!

lbetancourt

Eat, drink & be merry.. then get your *kitten* back on track.

SueInAz

I'm in the "this is a lifestyle and major life events will happen so enjoy them" camp. Here's my recent event:

My siblings and I took our dad to Laughlin, NV (a gambling town not quite as glitzy as Vegas and a lot more laid back) for his 70th birthday. We were there for 3 days and on the road for 7 hours on the days surrounding. I ate too much, drank way too much and didn't do a lick of exercise other than the long walks from casino to casino. I had a blast and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I gained... 1.5 pounds. Which I promptly lost within 2 days.

Enjoy yourself. If you know you're going to gain a few pounds it won't be a shock when you step on the scale. If it makes you feel better to eat a few less calories in the days leading up, then do it, but I didn't and it didn't hurt me.

ddecarr

I have been faced with several similar events this summer. Twice I actually lost weight after 2 days of partying! I have found that even when I did go a bit overboard and hopped on the scale the extra few pounds came off within 2-3 days. That's not much of a setback. Your increased metabolism due to your now healthier lifestyle will take care of your little indulgence.

dawny17

Go and have fun! Just make sure you get in some kind of physical exercise every day, you'll be surprised how those calories that you burn will help make a difference. Keep logging in...don't want to break a good habit! and eat what you want....just be cautious of your choices. Like one of the previous posts said eat leaner cuts...and pile your plate with veggies, and hey grab a light beer! you are still being social! Have fun!

dmcg123

First, have a blast reconnecting with friends and family. You only live once, and celebrations like these are the finer side of life!

To deal with your predicament, consider choosing healthier options whenever possible. Drink as much water as you can (that'll help with hangovers, too!), fill up on lean protein (cut as much fat off the pork as possible), consider skipping the buns/bread and load up on veggies whenever available.

If you want to really stay on track, consider packing up your own fresh veggies and snacks. You probably have your favorites - maybe quaker mini rice cakes, maybe roasted almonds, maybe Fiber One brownies or Fiber One granola bars? That way, you can munch away (esp with the veggies) and never miss a beat! Sure, the guys will razz you, but you'll know you are doing the right thing. The ladies will ask "where did you get that"... If you're a single guy/gal, maybe pack enough to share.... Just sayin!

Try your best to eat enough healthier food that you don't have much room for dessert.

And remember, 3 days of debauchery won't kill you. I'm pretty sure there are a lot of healthy people that lived through more than 3 days of crazy fun...

Pollywog39

I agree with those who say 'GO AND HAVE FUN'. A day or two of indulgence should not influence the BIG picture in your life......that you are living in a more healthy way, that you know you're going to go overboard a bit, and that you'll be fine.

And you will......................

ENJOY! have a beer for me! (and I DETEST light beer!)

chubba10000

Awesome, thanks for all the input. I was so focused on the food side of the equation that I had totally spaced on the fact that I could exercise more and that would help to compensate. I'll also try to drink at least a glass of water/club soda for every drink for as long as I can remember to do so. It will be good to go in armed with a strategy that lets me enjoy myself but still helps make good choices where it's possible.

I think it's one of nature's small miracles that darker beers are often lower-cal than the lighter (colored) ones. Thank you, anonymous chubby monk who made that happen back in the dark ages. Most light (as in Lite) beer, in my opinion, is not even worth drinking except on the sunniest and hottest of days.