Bad day, 1st social gathering since starting MPF

Sugalicious79

Greetings! I began MFP almost a week ago after a doctors visit where I learned I had gained 30lbs. since last summer when I got married. Wake up call!

Today we had our typical Sunday dinner with family & friends. While planning the menu and preparing the food I kept my goal in mind but also felt as though I deserved a "free" day. Long story short I ate, drank and was merry! I not only ate "more" food than intended including 2 chocolate covered strawberries that someone brought but I also drank 4 beers. I went WAY over most of the food tracking catagories and now I'm in a shame spiral. I feel like *kitten* about myself and lack of self control. I can't help but feeling I will never meet my fitness goal unless I become a "shut-in". How do you deal with these situation? I'm concerned I will lose control each time I'm in the social setting and with summer around the corner bbqs, cookouts & parties are abundant. HELP!

supplemama

Drink lots of water before and during the event. During the event don't drink any alcohol or soda unless you know you can stop at one. Treat it like a normal day, not a 'Free' day, and log accordingly. Indulge in some treats (Really, 2 chocolate coveted strawberries are not bad at all) but 4 beers is a bit much. Next time try having just one, and stopping there.

JessHealthKick

just remember that you're human and need to live a little! you've come very far and shouldn't beat yourself up over letting loose once in a while. 2 chocolate coated strawberries? I eat chocolate almost every day and keep it in my macros, you should start trying to do this too so you can realise you don't have to cut out your favourite foods! I can't function without dark chocolate

Hmm, the beers weren't the best idea but it's done and dusted, just think about next time and how you will approach the situation. Maybe just make sure you have a really good few days to make up for it?

:flowerforyou: just live a little and don't let it get you down!

Sugalicious79

For the record they were light beers! I'm the type of person who can't have just one drink. I'm not an alcoholic or anything. I'd rather not drink at all. I found that portion-wise I ate more, it isn't just the chocolate strawberries that has me feeling guilty. I "grazed" which I hadn't done since beginning. I just worried that these social situations are going to start causing me anxiety about not sticking to my plan. I do like the advice about not considering it a "free day" and drinking lots of water. Would drinking a protein shake or smoothie before guest arrive be a bad idea (to feel fuller) or would that just be adding calories?

freelancejouster

One bad day won't undo the week of good you did previously. Likely, all it will do is cause a sodium bloat for a few days and you'll be back to losing. Might even spike your metabolism a bit.

JessHealthKick

It honestly depends on what kind of person you are. I just tend to not mix with people who want to graze these days, it makes things much easier! Sometimes I even eat before going out so that I just have a small amount there and don't get tempted by all the bad things available..

You really will find it easier over time. On a big social gathering day you can make sure you leave a lot of your allowance for the evening (assuming it's in the evening) and eat lightly the next day. Maybe try to get some exercise in in the morning? And if you can't stop after 1, then just don't drink if your allowance doesn't permit!

I used to find it so difficult like you, but I have learnt so much more self restraint than before. You will too, just be patient. I LOVE FOOD SO MUCH but I make sure I choose the stuff that's good for me. Your palette will change more as well and all those high cal things you wanna graze on (potato chips etc) won't seem so attractive anymore...


But never chocolate. I will always love chocolate!

supplemama

You ask for help then get salty at the advice? :noway:

Do it your way. Keep drinking your 4 beers at a time. Which by the way, for the record, light beers are at least 100 calories each.

If you always do what you've always done, you'll always keep getting the same results,

Sugalicious79

I'm sorry! I wasn't getting salty. I was trying to make a joke. Please don't think I didn't appreciate your advice. It wasn't my intention to make you feel that way.

MTGirl4Life

I agree with the previous posts. You still need to live, and be able to eat at events such as this. Since Dec. 28th, I have had New Year's Eve, my wedding anniversary (with 2 celebration dinners), Easter, my husband's birthday (with 2 dinner celebrations and cake and ice cream both days), a trip back home with a few dinner outs, and it seems like a few other events that I am not recalling. I have allowed myself to eat, some with more control than others. I have still lost 12 inches in my mid-section (4" in hips, 4" in waist, and 4" in abs), and have gone down 2 to 3 pant sizes (and 23 lbs - but I really focus on the inches lost). I know that if I had not allowed myself to enjoy the food that others were eating, I would have lost more weight and more inches. However, this is not a lose it fast diet for me, it is a way of life. I am finding that the more I lose, the more aware I am of what I am eating, and am making wiser choices. And, I am finding that when I do choose to eat things like cake and ice cream, I am not beating myself up. I know that it is just one day, and that tomorrow I will eat healthy every day until the next event (at which time I will need to decide if I want to make the healthiest choices, or allow myself to indulge); and I might add an extra work out for a few days. If I know that I am going to want to eat more calories than normal for dinner, I tend to eat less calories for breakfast and lunch (but I do focus on making sure I eat protein at each meal - which works for me). You will do well. Give yourself a break; and have patience with yourself as you learn the ins and outs of eating healthy, and balancing the life events you will celebrate.

supplemama

I'm sorry! I wasn't getting salty. I was trying to make a joke. Please don't think I didn't appreciate your advice. It wasn't my intention to make you feel that way.

No worries! You'll find your own way :flowerforyou:

HollisGrant

Greetings! I began MFP almost a week ago after a doctors visit where I learned I had gained 30lbs. since last summer when I got married. Wake up call!

Today we had our typical Sunday dinner with family & friends. While planning the menu and preparing the food I kept my goal in mind but also felt as though I deserved a "free" day. Long story short I ate, drank and was merry! I not only ate "more" food than intended including 2 chocolate covered strawberries that someone brought but I also drank 4 beers. I went WAY over most of the food tracking catagories and now I'm in a shame spiral. I feel like *kitten* about myself and lack of self control. I can't help but feeling I will never meet my fitness goal unless I become a "shut-in". How do you deal with these situation? I'm concerned I will lose control each time I'm in the social setting and with summer around the corner bbqs, cookouts & parties are abundant. HELP!

I started MFP about 10 days ago and am looking at social events like a minefield. I would've eaten ALL the chocolate covered strawberries.

I recently went to breakfast with friends, ate before I went, explained I was on a diet, and just had a cappuccino while everybody else ate omelets and French toast with syrup. They're good friends and understood. One asked about the MFP website.

My two cents:
(1) Tell people ahead of time that the doctor said you need to lose weight. Explain it.
(2) Eat before the event so you won't be as tempted to eat all that bad stuff. Fill up on broccoli or something low calorie that makes you full. Then nibble or hold a plate to be polite. Or just be honest and don't eat any of it because the doctor said you have to lose weight. Drink coffee and socialize.