i need advice urgently!!!

aleefula

Hi everybody,

I have a huge huge dilemma in my hands. To this date i have been doing really well and have managed to lose 22 pounds, but in the last 3 weeks i have been really working hard and the results are starting to show.

I need help! I have been avoiding socialising and going out with friends because it usually entails a large consumption of food and drink when i go out.

I find this is my aquiles heel, because when i go out and see everybody eating yummy greasy and savoury things and enjoying their drinks i cave into temptation and just overindulge.

I have been invited on saturday to a dinner party and a night out in the town with all my friends and my husband's friends, i cannot get out of it because i have cancelled so many times if i dont go i will be in the black list!

I need ideas or any help what should i do in this night out? are there any particular drinks that are less fattening as i do think i deserve a break and should i eat in my house before i go and just pick at something else? please advice!:sad:

siberiankiss

You've done really well. One day won't hurt you so much in the long run. Let your hair down and forget about calories for one night, it's not going to reverse all the hard work you've done.

xXmimiXx

You've done really well. One day won't hurt you so much in the long run. Let your hair down and forget about calories for one night, it's not going to reverse all the hard work you've done.

I agree! Let your hair down or what's the point, if you can't have fun sometimes!

VICTORIA1804

VODKA AND DIET COKE IS NOT VERY MUCH, I SUGGEST THAT YOU SIP WATER EACH TIME YOU HAVE A BITE OF YOUR FOOD AS THIS WILL MAKE YOU FEEL FULLER AND HELP YOU AVOID EATING TOO MUCH, THIS IS WHAT I DO AND I FIND IT HELPS - ALSO ORDER SOMETHING WITH A SIDE SALAD AND BEGIN EATING THAT FIRST, GOOD LUCK

supercool111

You could have a small glass of red wine or a vodka and diet coke for about 80 calories. Don't worry too much about it. You need to live your life. You're going to have to start going out again sooner or later. Just don't go overboard on the indulgences. Be aware of what you're eating.

kgasser

I agree, treat yourself...to an extent. Stick with the lighter drinks and only have one or two...or count yourself the designated driver so you have an excuse to stick to water/diet soda, whatever. I would also suggest that you do not have a meal before you go, you will still end up eating there and that just means double the calories. I would suggest a purely protein snack before you go. Protein is what keeps your blood sugar level, which in turn keeps your hunger limited. In the morning I have 2 slices 98% fat free bologna and two reduced fat cheese sticks (not a sandwich, just the meat/cheese). 16 grams of protein in just 230 calories. Maybe think about something like that. Whatever you do, DON'T starve yourself all day thinking you will save up the calories, you will be so hungry you will eat everything in sight! And, of course, get back to it the very next morning. Good luck! Kim

stacyoct19

I agree that one night out will not kill your efforts. I've been on this program for less than a month and I've lost 6 lbs. I have had one night out already! But I can understand the mindset of wanting to stick to your plan even when you go out. That's the beauty of counting calories. There are so many options when eating out that you can actually enjoy your foods. I'm not sure where you're going, but here are a couple of tips. Stay away from fried foods. Those have extra cals that will not provide the nutrients you need. Try to stick to grilled meat. You can even have a steak! If you like seafood, that's a perfect time because most people don't fix that at home. Ask that they don't cook your food/veggies in butter. That can really reduce your cals. But eat something you like. You deserve a treat! There are just a few ways that you can maybe eat healthier even though you're going over a bit. Remember, this is a lifestyle. How fun would it be to lose weight and look and feel good and not be able to go out in fear that you're going to gain it all back. Also, once you're finished, if you could go walking or even dancing after, you will burn off part of what you just had.

HAVE FUN!

Fayegill

Eat dinner before you go out. Tell everyone your on a budget. Then drink rum and diet coke. That way you don't have to eat and you can save some colories for drinks. You also save money!
Drink water and go for a long but slow hike the next day.

ediei

Be honest with people. I only started a week ago, but I am determined to make this last. So I started off by telling my very thin husband what I am doing. When he says or does things that are not helpful, I tell him and why.

I am going out to dinner tonight with friends, but I already checked the menu (most restaurants have them online now), and I know what I am going to order, and I am going to build my day around it. I will have a glass of wine and enjoy the company.

Go out, have fun, indulge (a little), then tomorrow, put in a little extra effort at the gym or on that treadmill. Until we learn to live this way, we will never be thin.

AnneElise

Hey! What I do on my night outs with people is 1) look at the menu of the place you are going before you go and find sometime reasonable to eat... or eat a saled but get dressing on the side. 2) For ever beer I have, I drink a full glass of water before I have another one. That way I am drinking less, staying more sober, and I feel better the next morning!

Nicmc8

Spend some time at the gym that day if you know you are going out. I usually do not eat back the calories I burn at the gym, but when I do have a night out or a baby shower where I eat a little more high calorie foods I do tend to tap into those calories burned and then I do not feel so bad. Like everyone else has said, one day is not going to hurt you.... it is when you let one day, turn into the whole weekend, then a week, then a month... that we get back to where we were.

Good luck and most importantly HAVE FUN!

drvvork

Eat dinner before you go out. Tell everyone your on a budget. Then drink rum and diet coke. That way you don't have to eat and you can save some colories for drinks. You also save money!
Drink water and go for a long but slow hike the next day.

I agree with this this statement. Even though the glourious goodies look really good you won't feel hungry enough to overindulge and you can enjoy the setting. If anyone makes a statement about your new habit just tell them you want to truly enjoy life not abuse it. :flowerforyou:

aleefula

thanxs evrybody for your advice, i think i will go for a long run early in the morning and go about my usual life, i was thinking to drink a vodka tonic and then 2 glasses of water for every drink, maybe sparkling water so i dont feel left out think if i can manage that i will no have a bad hangover next day and be able to exercise. I will look up the restaurant online and see if they have menu although i dounbt it because here in ireland they dont do that, but ill check!!

gummibaehr

I also agree with eating dinner at home. You'll be less likely to snack if you have a full tummy! Keep the drinks moderate and HAVE FUN! Having fun is what it's about, right? Socializing and having fun doesn't have to mean a breakdown in your fitness plan. If anyone gives you grief, ignore them. Do this for YOU, not for them.

lawkat

You should go. You can't hide out in the house forever and avoid those situations. It will only make the temptation greater. You have to learn how to handle situations like that. Moderation is the key. Have a little of this and a little of that. Keep reminding yourself not to go overboard. Going out and having "bad" foods and drinking isn't a bad thing. You just can't do it every day. Since my journey a year ago, I learned that if I gave up the things I loved, it was so easy to get bored and go back to my unhealthy lifestyle. I drink and when I go out, I sometimes eat not so great foods. However, I don't go overboard. I listen to my body when it has had enough.

Go out and have fun.

SylvieJacques

As a lot of people mention, just enjoy. Try to ensure not to eat or drink too much, but have fun. Those outings are normal part of life, The important is to get back on track the morning after (not the week after ). This way it's not going to be too bad and if you gain a bit during the evening, it's going to be lost easily if you get back to being careful the day after.

Good luck and enjoy your evening out

weaklink109

thanxs evrybody for your advice, i think i will go for a long run early in the morning and go about my usual life, i was thinking to drink a vodka tonic and then 2 glasses of water for every drink, maybe sparkling water so i dont feel left out think if i can manage that i will no have a bad hangover next day and be able to exercise. I will look up the restaurant online and see if they have menu although i dounbt it because here in ireland they dont do that, but ill check!!

A word about the mixer with the vodka. First of all, everyone's taste is different, but vodka with diet coke is such an unpleasant combination, it could make me swear off vodka!!!:noway::laugh: You mentioned using tonic. Only problem is, bars don't have "diet tonic" and the regular tonic has calories --110 of them in 10 oz, according to the MFP database.

So what to do? vodka and water? Yuck--tastes TOOO hard core. So here is my answer. Make it vodka and soda, and ask for a wedge of lemon or lime--whatever your preference. Squeeze the wedge over your drink to flavor it, and toss in the wedge for color. Alternate this with water in between drinks.

An ounce of 80 proof vodka has 60-70 calories, depending upon which entry you choose in MFP database. Soda water has no calories. You could have 3 drinks thru the evening and "spend" less than 300 calories.

As for food, if you can't get calorie info on the menu ahead of time, follow the advice previously offered. Avoid deep fried anything. Ask if they have a reduced calorie dressing, order salad with dressing on the side, no croutons, and if it comes with cheese, ask for that on the side too. Then you can control how much is on your salad. If you get a steak, or grilled fish, ask them to NOT use salt as a seasoning, same with veggies, and ask them to hold the butter in prep. Ignore the bread basket or bread sticks. You can still have a great dinner, a fun time, enjoy your friends, AND know that YOU were in control.

You don't have to make a big deal out of what you are ordering. Concentrate on the company. I have learned not to bring up what I am doing unless someone asks. People who don't have to watch their weight, and people who should but don't usually aren't as interested in what we are doing as we are.

Have a fabulous time.:drinker: :drinker: When your friends see how good you look :drinker: :drinker: (since you said it was beginning to show) they will be impressed with your resolve, and probably a little jealous

And if you can't handle the vodka soda & citrus because you gotta have something sweeter, I suggest rum and diet coke, with a wedge of lime. It is called a "Cuba Libra" and is a bit sweeter because of the coke, but rum flavor with coke, (to me, anyway) is much more palatable than vodka..

leebee2001

I agree with most here, you have to enjoy life and food and drinks too. But if you eat protein and a little healthy meal before you go you will be less tempted to over eat the "bad" stuff. Be proud of your fitness goals and share them with others if they ask. I bet most people can relate. Check the menu before hand and enjoy. If you plan on getting drunk, plan ahead too. Working out the day of or before is a brilliant idea.

Remember, you are in charge of your life and you are also in charge of what you eat and drink, you can do it!!

I hope you dance dance dance more calories off too:)

aleefula

hey all, thanxs a mill for all your advice, today is DDD day and wow i didnt know tonic had so many calories!!! thanxs for posting that by the way!! i would have never known!! yes cuba libre i know well since i am from the Dominican Republic, didnt know it was so low in calories, shall keep to the advice! already went for my run today and wearing a hot outfit, so wish me luck and thanxs all again!!:drinker: cheers!!

drvvork

hey all, thanxs a mill for all your advice, today is DDD day and wow i didnt know tonic had so many calories!!! thanxs for posting that by the way!! i would have never known!! yes cuba libre i know well since i am from the Dominican Republic, didnt know it was so low in calories, shall keep to the advice! already went for my run today and wearing a hot outfit, so wish me luck and thanxs all again!!:drinker: cheers!!

Gee, get your hot outfit and upload a photo! We wish to cheer you on - have a fabulous time! :drinker:

wallena

WELL, THAT'S A PART OF LIFE YOU'RE MAKING YOURSELF MISS OUT ON WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO. ON THE NIGHT YOU GO OUT, EAT A LITE BREAKFAST. GET A REALLY GOOD WORKOUT IN. LIGHT LUNCH AND SAVE MOST OF YOUR CALORIES FOR THE EVENING. GO AHEAD AND ORDER THE "GOOD STUFF" JUST EAT HALF THAT NIGHT AND SAVE THE REST. THAT WAY YOU'RE NOT OVER BY MUCH. AND THE DRINKS, WELL, EVERY NOW AND AGAIN WON'T HURT. THE POINT IS TO BE AWARE AND ACCOUNTABLE. HAVE FUN.:flowerforyou:

aleefula

hello all!!! well just an update on my night out! i have to say i started the morning well, woke up really early, 6 am at 7 did a bit of yoga then went for a 3k run and 3 k walk so that was 6 k in total. Ate a light lunch and then proceeded to get my hair done etc.

Unfortunately, there was a rugby match on sat., so my hubby and friends decided to head to the pub to watch whilst myself and one of my hubby's friends wife got ready. I was good, but did not drink the sensible stuff, i drank coors light (only thing she had in house) but alternated with water for every bottle i drank.

Headed out and then whilst i was there the lads were all pissed by the time we got there so had to either get pizza or burgers, i was good, only ate half a burger and did not touch any fries. Then just drank coors light with ice for the night. I must say even though i did exceed my calories by 150 i avoided the sambuca shots which i love and as a result did not have a hangover the next day, which is good because thats the day i dread after going out as i just veg on the couch eating all the "bad stuff" but since i wasnt hungover i got home got o my runners and went for a short run, then did the new york city ballet workout and a bit of yoga.

All and alli feel for my first night out i didnt pig out as much as i have in the past and everybody commented on how good i looked on my size 12uk dress!!

Thanks all for your advice even though i didnt follow everything to plan, i had a very good night and now back to my plan! (thank god i dont have to go through that for a few weeks now)

doitforabby

Congrats! You figured it out. thats what this is all about!