what to do in potluck / restaurant / holiday situations

Jarvis95

Hi!

I'd love to hear people's tips / strategies for how you tackle situations where it's extremely hard to log, and it's not socially acceptable not to eat. How do you moderate yourself?? I'm talking about situations like potlucks, big family meals, or restaurants where the food is served family style, or it would be very difficult to have any idea how to log it (sometimes i will estimate it but you know it's not accurate!). thanks!!! I'm sure many of you have these situations with the holidays coming up.

Stdavis53

I know I hadn't personally started this weight loss journey over thanksgiving but I had it in the back of my mind. I did a visual scan of everything on the table, and still filled my plate, but made sure I chose more of the vegetable options vs the casseroles and sweets. The biggest advice I've been given when asking similar questions though is to be sure to still log everything. Bad day or good day. As for potlucks. Bring something that you could eat a ton of and be ok with on your calorie count!

Just my $.02

cyberiarob

At Thanksgiving this year, I just tried to keep it to a minimum. I didn't even bother trying to log it (which really drove me nuts). I ate some turkey, mashed potatoes (no gravy :[ ), green bean casserole, corn and a little bit of stuffing. It was probably the first Thanksgiving in my life that I didn't eat dessert - there was a lot pies and some awesome looking cheesecake, but I just couldn't make myself eat any of it knowing how far over my calorie goal I would be. Someone asked me if I wanted some, I just said that I was already stuffed.

I ate a normal breakfast and only slightly less for supper, didn't work out at all that day, and I actually lost 0.1 lbs that day. I didn't feel socially awkward, and nobody else seemed to notice

sylviatx

Probably everyone else is too busy visiting to actually be monitoring what you are eating. I try to eat a little before the event, like an apple or a banana about 30 minutes before with a full glass of water. That way I'm not so tempted at the event. Like others said, try to fill your plate with the veggies. Take a minimum amount of the starchy stuff and just mush it around on your plate so it looks like you took 1 cup and already ate most of it.

Keep logging. Just estimate. Remember the visualr: deck of cards for 4 oz meat; a fist for a cup.

NCchar130

For Thanksgiving, I tried to bank a few hundred calories in the days leading up to it. I used the quick add tool, and just threw in 3000 calories for the day (to include all meals). And, I tried to eat reasonably without necessarily denying myself any particular thing. I worked out hard the day before and after. That's pretty much my game plan for the upcoming Christmas stuff. I have a company party next week and then several family events during the week of Christmas. I figure 3000 more than covers it.

I always hate it when I'm at a special meal with someone and they are moaning the entire time about their temptations and how 'bad' they are being and how they are ruining their diet. It's such a downer - I don't want to be that person! LOL.

maricash

I just consider those my non-logging (cheat, splurge, whatever word you want to use) days and enjoy myself. Rather than having an official day that is my non-logging day, I use them as needed for events like this. If you have to go to a lot of these events that might not work, but do try to keep in mind that special occasions are well. . .special and what you really need to worry about is the long term every day stuff.

gabbymom2

I think that it seems hard to log these special meals....maybe the best thing is to just eat in moderation and not log until
after the holidays....

jonibc

I tried to choose mostly veggies at Thanksgiving with small portions of other stuff. Then I estimated what I had eaten and logged everything. It may not be completely accurate but I've been on this plan since early August so I'm getting pretty good at estimating serving sizes. I dread the all-day munchie day coming up at work next Friday and the food gifts that will start rolling in from vendors. I'm going to have to really discipline myself.

Mokey41

Portion control has to be a way of life. Eat the things you like in small portions. Even if it's a special meal or holiday you don't need to eat until your *kitten* starts to bulge. Doesn't really matter if you don't log for one day if you know you didn't pig out.

ScarlettVamp

I eat in moderation at holiday gatherings, try to choose fruits/veggies to cover most of my plate when available, and log an estimate to keep myself honest. Good Luck!

marinegirl92

Wow girl! You're doing awesome!

My motto this time of year - planning and I always put myself first when it comes to all things food this time of year.

Potlucks and big family meals - I insert myself into the planning portion and make a potluck dish I know the calories of and it's on my food plan. If, and only if there is a killer potluck dish - I'm very selective on whose potluck dish I eat from - purely from a sanitation standpoint - sad lesson to learn many years ago. Not everyone keeps a clean house or handles food properly

Restaurants - I tell whoever is organizing in advance, thanks for inviting me, is it okay if I order off the regular menu? They usually are very supportive; then I talk to the waitstaff to please bring my meal out with the family style dishes of the party. You can't go wrong with a green salad, grilled chicken breast and dressing on the side. That's my go to order when I eat out at restaurants.

In the past I did not want to hurt anyone's feelings so would find myself in all sorts of food situations gone bad. This year I'm taking care of myself.

Good luck!