This fat kid is going to a buffet and she is worried

I think only you know if it's appropriate to take a scale and measuring cup with you.

For me, my fighting power at the buffets is to only take one pass and to aim for food that I can identify the ingredients so I can feel good about estimating what I ate later.

Also, and obviously this varies from person to person, you can use your hand as a guide for measurement estimation: http://lifehacker.com/5880630/use-your-hand-to-estimate-your-portions

When I end up at buffets, I try to fill up my plate with the veggies and fruits first, and then I go back around for protein and other carbs before I sit down.

Another great trick for these things is to eat a snack before you go so that you aren't starving before you get there. Eating a light salad or a few raw almonds will take the edge off and help your will power.

GOOD LUCK! You can totally do this! :happy:

you dont have to miss out on it at all! just pick the healthier options and using your hand as a measure is a great idea as posted above!

At nice, big buffets where the choices are overwhelming, I take one walk through, filling up on the veggies that I guess to have the least oil/ fats added. If there is actual salad, raw veggies, even better!

On the second pass, I get more veggies and what I judge to be a serving of lean protein.

At small, crowded buffets where you have to stand in line to all go passed one side of one table ( a lot of our local restaurants do this for lunch - they just pile more stuff on the salad bar), I load up the plate with veggies and find room for the protein.

If I haven't been over in calories for the week, I try to limit myself without stressing over it.

but look! - you're already showing how far you've come by planning what you're going to eat and fitting in exercise to accommodate that - way to go for the lifestyle change!! x

Just the fact that you're now aware of what you eat is a huge step. Everyone has pretty much covered what to fill up your plate with...so follow through, enjoy yourself, and you can be proud of yourself for handling it differently than in the past.

Remember: All You Can Eat is an offer, not a requirement of attendance.


Look for the good food. I usually head for shrimp and vegetables, especially salad, plus fresh fruit. Pastry is likely to be soggy, greasy and ultimately a waste of your calories. Don't look sad and let everyone know you're 'trying to be really good', just pick things you like that have some nutritional value, then they won't see you as suffering, so won't try and encourage you to have something you don't need much pushing to eat.

If offered something, or asked 'why don't you have..?', practise saying 'oh, I've got this right now. Maybe in a minute'.

I knew a trainer years ago, and for diet, she stressed "good, better, best". Meaning if you can't pick the ideal foods to eat, at least make better choices. Don't get cheese on the hamburger, baked fish instead of fried, etc. Sounds exactly what you did with the baked tortilla bowl, loaded with veggies. You satisfied the craving for nachos, but with a healthier choice.

Your ramp up to the buffet was great. I do the same thing on Fridays, where I know my wife and I are going to go out for dinner that night. I schedule my longer run that morning to burn more calories, and then make sure I make great choices during the day, so I have room that night to have a beer with dinner, or a higher calorie entree. I never called it a cheat day, since I still stayed within my net calorie goal for the day.

Update! Home from dinner. The nachos looked so freekin good and i havent spurged sence i started so i took the baked tortilla bowl, filled it with spinach and leaf lettace,1/8 ish cup of ground beef and losts of tomatoes, bell pepers onions and mushroom put 1/8 ish cup of cheese and plennty of salsa. Spent about 600 kals but feel good about it. I am still under for the day. Hooorrraaaayyyy for me.
:flowerforyou:

Woo Hoo!
Great job!!:flowerforyou:

Is there anything inappropriate at a buffett?

Why not do it and lightheartedly share what you're doing with others (you'll know how much sharing is appropriate:). You're not a crackhead measuring out your drug into a spoon. You're someone with a goal trying to improve her life!

Good luck:)

Whoops...didn't realize I was a such a latecomer to the conversation. Looks like you did great. Nice work!

:flowerforyou: congrats

Everyone's advice is good and I'm glad I came on and found this post as I will be facing a similar dilemma tomorrow! Everyone is right though -- fruits, veggies, meats (not fried!!), etc. Most importantly - don't beat yourself up over it -- consider it a small bump in the road and not a defeating moment by any means.

Finally I must say if you have lost 28# since January -- you know exactly what needs to be done and you will be just fine. Congratulations on the great loss!!

Do what works for you People will probably look at you funny because some can be rude and cruel.

I have religiously used food scale and measuring cups and spoons to the point that I don't need them anymore the adequately measure anything. Good luck and have a wonderful time.