How to Prepare for A Night Out

JustPeachy044

I am going to a fundraising dinner tonight. The theme is "get your kicks on Route 66". i am very nervous as I have no idea what they are serving for dinner, so I can't gauge how many calories to try and bank. Plus, appetizers and drinks are included in the ticket price. I have been to this type of event before, so I know alcohol is included. Any suggestions on how to handle this, both in terms of preparation and actually being there? I would like to relax and have fun, while not derailing my progress....mutually incompatible goals?!

pandasmama3

You should eat a salad before going that way you don't reach for those appetizers and eat half your dinner

gumigal82

Do a great cardio workout ahead of time, eat high protein-low cal meal(s) during the day (or 2 protein shakes, and a snack). That way you can indulge a little for the fundraiser. (A couple drinks, etc)

Bmjnash

Yes eat something before you go. And appetizers are packed with calories most of the time so I would try to stay away from them. Unless they have fruit or something healthy. And I would split everything on your dinner plate in Half . Also what helps me drink a full cup of water before your meal and also take a drink of water after every bite. It make you Fuller faster. ... good luck and have fun

Skeena4

I would just have a good workout that day.... drink plenty of water and set a goal like "I won't have anything with cheese" or I won't have any sweets etc and have a nice cup of green tea beforehand and go have a great time. I would attempt logging everything as well (I tend to overestimate on these things so I don't mind)
Also, I would limit myself to 2 drinks
I heard somewhere that green tea helps up your metabolism and I don't know if it's true or not, but it can't hurt and fills you up! :-)

wk9t

Yes eat something before you go. And appetizers are packed with calories most of the time so I would try to stay away from them. Unless they have fruit or something healthy. And I would split everything on your dinner plate in Half . Also what helps me drink a full cup of water before your meal and also take a drink of water after every bite. It make you Fuller faster. ... good luck and have fun

I never stress out over these sort of things. I make sure I get in all my work outs and stay at or under my calorie goal every day. When I have the occasion to eat out I enjoy myself. I gained almost 2 lbs on Easter because I had few drinks and ate what I wanted ... but I have taken off those 2 lbs plus 3 more since then. I don't eat out that often so whenever I do I do it guilt free.

sma83

You aren't going to "derail" anything with one night out. Try to just relax and enjoy yourself. If you are really concerned about it then try to get an extra workout in today and eat small low cals meals for breakfast and lunch. You can always skip the appetizer since they are usually loaded with cals you dont need. You can also driink a cup of water between alcoholic drinks, this will help cut out cals too.

Clarevmb

Usually I would make sure I'm not going over calorie allowance for a few days before and make sure I'm good for a few days after. Likewise with exercise I'd probably do a bit more or try a bit harder. Drink plenty of water and don't go to event starving, have a small snack before you go. I do usually drive to events, boring but it limits me to one small glass of wine then diet drinks rest of the night.
Otherwise there will always be events to throw you off track, enjoy it and get back on track tomorrow.

JustPeachy044

Thanks for all your tips, everyone. It is a bit tricky since we have mass at church just beforehand, will drop the kiddos off at home then go right back for the fundraiser (not much time to have a salad or snack beforehand). but I just drank some chocolate almond milk with ice (yummy) so I should not be overly hungry in a couple of hours. I will drink plenty of water, go for one small plate of "plain" appetizers (a bit of cheese and fruit, maybe) and try to limit myself to one glass of wine! Also, I love the tip about dividing my dinner in 1/2. I have "saved" calories today and got in a cardio workout this morning. I have about 750 calories left (have eaten light today), and if I overindulge (will log everything when I get home tonight), then I will just have to be extra "good" the next few days....

KLaurean

Why don't you make it a cheat day?

JustPeachy044

Success! Overestimated calories I consumed (I think) and still came in under goal. And I had FUN! Probably overdid it with 2 glasses of wine, but I don't feel guilty...that was my cheat/indulgence for the day.

AeolianHarp

I have to ask this: do you really want to live the rest of you life like this? Meaning, do you want to live your life worrying when you go out about ruining everything you've worked for? Is that even a life worth living?

Those are rhetorical questions because the answer is obvious: no. No you don't want to live like so why make yourself feel bad for doing something all of us do? Go out. Eat. Have fun. I have had days where I hit up an all-you-can-eat place and I feel so bloated because of how much I ate. Not a single negative emotion, though. I used to feel really, really bad but you have to realize that life is about having fun. Great bodies don't disappear unless someone is haphazard with their dietary approach (eating more calories than they expend [exception is purposeful bulking]).

How many nights are you going to have like this in the next week or two? Probably very few or none.

I say have protein shakes and then enjoy yourself.

JustPeachy044

I think I was just worried b/c I have let my body go to heck the last few years, and I JUST got back "on the wagon" with taking care of myself...one of my personal challenges is not to be an all or nothing kind of person! I have a very hard time in many areas finding an appropriate balance--eating/dieting, exercise/rest, work/relaxation. I was a little bit afraid that by letting myself just eat what I wanted on Saturday, not yet having a good sense of what is realistic, I might just fall off the wagon again and just forget the health and fitness thing. I have since done more reading and learned that the occasional "cheat" day is really going to help me in the long run, not just in this weight loss battle but in my life overall. I appreciate your encouragement to live life and enjoy it. next time, I think I will do better and not worry quite so much...