How do you handle what I call, "EATING EVENTS"

PennyM140
PennyM140 Posts: 423 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Just curious how all of you wonderful people handle what I call "Eating Events"? You know the kind of thing that basically the food brings you out to. There are several of them coming up that I usually attend and I'm wondering what I should do.

a)just not go
b) go and TRY to control myself
c) other- cause there's always an other

Examples of these kinds of events that are coming up in the next two months are a chili cook off, the county fair, and a charity gala. The Gala is more of a drinking issue for me than overindulging in food. But the fair, OMG, fried oreos, caramel apples, funnel cakes.....

Guess I'm not really looking for advice. I know what I NEED to do. I just wonder how other people deal with these sort of things.
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Replies

  • angelbaby75
    angelbaby75 Posts: 15 Member
    Sometimes I induldge and sometimes I pass. It just depends. Last year at the fair I just had a bite of the fried bacon cinnamon roll. Not the whole thing. If I'm not really that into going to an eating event, I just skip it all together. If I want to go and hang out sometimes I eat and sometimes I use self control. It just depends. Not very helpful, but I don't have a rule for these situations.
  • Rei1988
    Rei1988 Posts: 412 Member
    Allow myself ONE thing or just not eat any of it. Also eating before you go or bringing a meal/snacks of your own.
  • Elliesque
    Elliesque Posts: 156 Member
    I "save up" calories so I can eat a little bit of everything I want. Depending on what is being served I've even brought my small measuring cup to the table so I could be accurate at figuring out calories. No one has asked me why or commented. It's my health and my weight loss, so whatever keeps me on track is what I havta do!
  • lejla2002
    lejla2002 Posts: 118 Member
    self control is the key :)
  • courtneysalsbury
    courtneysalsbury Posts: 2
    For the drinking event, you could sign up to be the Designated Driver for your friends, that way it's less a health issue and more a safety issue for you to control your alcohol intake.

    As for regular food events like fairs, I eat beforehand and decide what I am going to eat afterward for dinner, so that I am not even considering "well, this deep-fried thing would just be my dinner..."

    Another thing is to bring a beverage to carry around with you to keep your stomach full. I take Diet Coke with me everywhere. I know many people find soda and artificial sweeteners to be taboo but... I don't. :)

    And of course, log all your food into your food diary! If you see that you only have 500 calories remaining for the day, you probably aren't going to waste it on 3 bites of some fattening food! ;)

    Good luck!
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    The world is full of temptations, greasy food, sugar rushes and pitfalls. Either you lock yourself in the house and be miserable or you learn to go out into the world without gorging yourself on food. You know these events are coming up so plan ahead. Save a few calories, do some extra exercise, have a small portion of whatever it is you want. It's going to be a long miserable life if you don't learn how to implement willpower!
  • IbiH
    IbiH Posts: 250 Member
    I've just come back from a weeks cruise and put on 4lbs! But I also made sure I ran 5K each morning plus any further steps I took up and down the stairs (no lifts for me). Ate approx 2500/2700 cals a day poss more.

    Now it's back to the usual routine.

    Once in a while will not hurt you, on the odd occasion you will go overboard but that's life. Enjoy it.
  • lisabinco
    lisabinco Posts: 1,016 Member
    First, and hardest, is to focus on the people and the action at the event, and get more socially interested in the people rather than focus on the food, which sounds easy but I have to work at it. I usually have a better time when I focus on people rather than food.
    Second, when I've been feeding my body well nutritionally, I can handle these events better. And third, I plan ahead. I don't cut my food intake back so that I can eat more at these events. I eat well beforehand, so I'm not hungry when I get there, and I make sure I'm well hydrated before the event as well. Even if it's just water and a piece of fruit or large salad, it's enough to feel full and keep me from storming the buffet table. Fourth, I get at the back of the buffet line so all the greasy, fatty stuff is picked through already. Fifth, I spread the more nutritious food to cover my plate so it looks visually full, with as many healthy items as I can, and pass on the low nutrient stuff. I rarely eat the dessert or even go look at what's on the table. As I have proven to myself many times over, if I eat sugary things, I'm like an alcoholic after his first drink. Sixth, I rarely drink more than one drink all evening. Any more than that and my resolve dissolves into an alcoholic sugar spike; next thing I know, I'm reaching for my 3rd cookie or pastry -- anything sugary. These strategies work for me 90% of the time and the rare time I overdo it, I try to learn from it and move on. Every day is a new opportunity to eat right.
  • TheSlorax
    TheSlorax Posts: 2,401 Member
    c) forget about it for one day and EAT. it's one day.....
  • lisal11
    lisal11 Posts: 59 Member
    I fill up on good food before I go to stuff like that. I might allow myself something small while I'm there but at least I won't binge on all the tasty treats.
  • PennyM140
    PennyM140 Posts: 423 Member
    I guess what I am asking myself is will I have any fun at these things that are usually all about food if I am sensible and controlled in what I eat?
    I mean what's the point of going to a chili cook off if I'm not going to try 50 kinds of chili? And some nice cold beer to wash it down.
    Yes that is only one day and i know in the grand scheme of things it will not make an impact either way.
    It is just coming up on the time of year when all of these type of events take place in a cluster followed by the holidays.
    Maybe I need to plan on new traditions that don't center around overeating unhealthy food.
  • mikeykhan2003
    mikeykhan2003 Posts: 177
    c) forget about it for one day and EAT. it's one day.....

    Quoted in case you missed the wisdom.

    Eat a little less the day before and the day after :)
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    c) just go and eat, drink and be merry

    I guess I'm lucky in that things like funnel cakes and fried oreos sound pretty disgusting. Kettle corn and caramel apples I might go for, but fair food is pretty much crappy IMO.

    But unless the events all happen in one week, I generally just go and enjoy myself and get rid of it later. I've never expected to stay exactly the same weight every day or week. Or have the same loss every day or week. All aspects of life have ups and downs. My food intake and weight are no different.
  • tiger4nikki
    tiger4nikki Posts: 112 Member
    I use that as a cheat day and enjoy it!
  • padams2359
    padams2359 Posts: 1,093 Member
    You are very lucky. You know well in advance. Bank some calories over a few days. Right before you leave home, eat a couple of stalks of celery, and drink a bottle of water. Go there, and enjoy all the food. Just split everything with someone so you just eat half. It is the last minute surprise things that are really hard to correct. JMO
  • TheSlorax
    TheSlorax Posts: 2,401 Member
    I guess what I am asking myself is will I have any fun at these things that are usually all about food if I am sensible and controlled in what I eat?
    I mean what's the point of going to a chili cook off if I'm not going to try 50 kinds of chili? And some nice cold beer to wash it down.
    Yes that is only one day and i know in the grand scheme of things it will not make an impact either way.
    It is just coming up on the time of year when all of these type of events take place in a cluster followed by the holidays.
    Maybe I need to plan on new traditions that don't center around overeating unhealthy food.

    what is bolded is the only thing you need to worry about. if you know this, why are you still asking? please don't stress yourself out or exclude yourself from your fun activities, it is ONE DAY and you should go and enjoy yourself. work out more that week if it really bugs you that much.
  • tiger4nikki
    tiger4nikki Posts: 112 Member
    I guess what I am asking myself is will I have any fun at these things that are usually all about food if I am sensible and controlled in what I eat?
    I mean what's the point of going to a chili cook off if I'm not going to try 50 kinds of chili? And some nice cold beer to wash it down.
    Yes that is only one day and i know in the grand scheme of things it will not make an impact either way.
    It is just coming up on the time of year when all of these type of events take place in a cluster followed by the holidays.
    Maybe I need to plan on new traditions that don't center around overeating unhealthy food.

    Yes, there will be more days like that coming up in the next few months, so don't keep the "candies", etc.. in your house, eat right ANY day that there is not an event, then ENJOY those days that there is. Work out a little harder too. I bet you won't gain!
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    Life is full of food. Here is what I do.

    - Save up calories from earlier. I usually skip my snacks and cut 100 calories off my breakfast and lunch.
    - Drink a couple of tall glasses of water before.
    - Start with the salads of veggies.
    - Skip the desert.
    - Leave early.

    This is a lifestyle, but it doesn't mean that you have to stop living life. Go, talk to people, and enjoy life.
  • zazasmom
    zazasmom Posts: 3
    Hi this is zaza's mom
    :happy: what I do is pack a lunch before I go, in case there is nothing there I can have. I pack a good salad and some fruits and veggies and an avocado for smash up for my salad with some fresh salsa so I don't have to have a dressing, its really good, and you will feel so good to not get sucked into the planned food binges of unhealthy choices and you will be surprised how it may start some of the others to thinking about it. You are the one that chooses what goes in your body so it gives you a good sense of control
    hope this helps!
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    Allow myself ONE thing or just not eat any of it. Also eating before you go or bringing a meal/snacks of your own.

    This.

    I don't really go for chili cook-offs or fair food. But yeah. If I am going to a nice Christmas party for example, I'll have a couple of smaller savory hors d'oeurves as my "meal" and then indulge in candy/fudge or whatever dessert is served, and/or one cocktail.

    In the end, the calorie count is probably similar to a normal dinner or only slightly above. That can easily be worked into my 1,420 calories and I'm confident that it could even be worked into 1,200 diets. If not, exercise more before and after.
  • Shivpea
    Shivpea Posts: 58 Member
    When I've got events like this I try to save a few calories within the week that its falling on. I make sure I get to the gym to build up some extra cals as well. Finally, I'd eat a healthy low cal meal before going ie, a big salad, a big bowl of soup or some veggies. Then when I go I wouldn't be as hungry probably wouldn't want to eat as much and would be armed with spare cals if needs be. On days like the chilli cook off you don't' need to try every chilli out there, trying one or two spoonfuls of a few would probably do and you wouldn't feel as hard done by. Also if you've the spare cals to back you up you'd be able to enjoy them guilt free :-)

    As for the fairs that have the drinking I'd probably find this harder as I like my beer, but again I'd do the same as what I said above and the suggestion that someone gave as been the designated driver is a fantastic suggestion and you wouldn't get people trying to 'twist your arm' to have drink if they know you're driving.

    Good luck and enjoy the days out, life is for living, if you're good the rest of the time you'll be grand :-)
  • samammay
    samammay Posts: 468
    Its one day. If you miss goal for one day nothing bad is going to happen. Will you have an off week? Maybe. Is it the end of the world? Nope... no zombies coming for us today.

    Dont go into it with the mindset of 'eff it... im missing my goal so I might as well miss it by 17 bajillion calories'. Enjoy... just dont overenjoy just for the sake of doing it.
  • tasharock
    tasharock Posts: 136 Member
    Maybe I need to plan on new traditions that don't center around overeating unhealthy food.

    I just had this discussion with my dh. As someone who enjoys preparing food for others (and them enjoying it), I struggle with my love for food-centric events/holidays.
  • cyberbidder
    cyberbidder Posts: 20
    I find it very difficult. Sometimes I go and do not eat. Often this is easier than trying eat the correct amount. Sometimes I go and try to control myself and STAY AWAY FROM THE DESERT-NONE. One desert is, for me at least, too many and one thousand is not enough.
  • bi0nicw0man
    bi0nicw0man Posts: 56 Member
    I guess what I am asking myself is will I have any fun at these things that are usually all about food if I am sensible and controlled in what I eat?
    I mean what's the point of going to a chili cook off if I'm not going to try 50 kinds of chili? And some nice cold beer to wash it down.
    Yes that is only one day and i know in the grand scheme of things it will not make an impact either way.
    It is just coming up on the time of year when all of these type of events take place in a cluster followed by the holidays.
    Maybe I need to plan on new traditions that don't center around overeating unhealthy food.

    I agree it's tough when social events have so much food involved!

    You really have to wrap your head around what's important to you. Are you going because you are just absolutely dying to try 50 kinds of chili, or are you going because it's a fun social event to attend with your friends/family? If it's for the chili, then plan ahead...eat a light breakfast, maybe get in some exercise...and go enjoy. if it's for the social aspect, then still plan ahead but only taste the 'must haves' and enjoy the company of your friends!

    For the fair, do you have a favourite 'must have'? Plan ahead for that, eat a good lunch, and enjoy your one favourite treat!

    I've started offering to be DD lately so then the booze doesn't tempt me. We attended a Brewery & the Beast event recently (which is all you can drink beer, and all you cat eat meat-based dishes)... I shared one beer with my bf, and was really choosey about the food I tried...if it was a basic slider or poutine I can have any time I passed, but if it was something different and special I had it. Oh, and I discarded most of the breads/tortillas/toasts/etc...I was there for the meat!

    :)

    Anyway, you're thinking ahead about it so that's a good first step. Go, enjoy, and don't make it all about the food.
  • hottamolly00
    hottamolly00 Posts: 334 Member
    I guess what I am asking myself is will I have any fun at these things that are usually all about food if I am sensible and controlled in what I eat?
    I mean what's the point of going to a chili cook off if I'm not going to try 50 kinds of chili? And some nice cold beer to wash it down.
    Yes that is only one day and i know in the grand scheme of things it will not make an impact either way.
    It is just coming up on the time of year when all of these type of events take place in a cluster followed by the holidays.
    Maybe I need to plan on new traditions that don't center around overeating unhealthy food.

    I agree. This ONE day might set you back a week, but if you're in this for the rest of your life, 1 week is NOTHING.
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    My frame of mind about these things has changed a lot from a year ago. I would worry so much about these events, thinking I'm going to either ruin all of my progress or be miserable watching everyone else eating delicious things knowing I "can't" have any of it. For me, the main issue with these types of things is how quickly you can get back on track.

    Going nuts on fair food isn't going to derail you unless you haven't practiced the fine art of getting back on track the next day. At the beginning of my weight loss, I knew that if I allowed myself certain things, I would spiral out of control for weeks. I knew this because it happened. If you know you can get back on track the next day, one day of fair food won't cancel out all of your previous weight loss efforts. However, if you are eating fair food one day, then cocktail hour the next day, then pot luck the next day...you can see where it might become a problem.
  • hottamolly00
    hottamolly00 Posts: 334 Member
    Also, decide what's really worth the calories. When I'm tempted with desserts and whatnot, I carefully think to myself if I love that dessert enough to cheat. More often than not, they're not, so I pass. If you really love a certain food, effin' eat it and make calories for it.
  • saxy2014
    saxy2014 Posts: 6
    Try eating something before you go...that way you are not hungry when you get there. Also, try to make the best choice possible when you get there.
  • lilbearzmom
    lilbearzmom Posts: 600 Member
    I agree with everyone. These events are one time things- I wouldn't go totally crazy, but have fun and eat what you want in moderation. Eat healthy/light the day before and after. Believe me, it may in the long run help your weightloss since you won't feel so deprived....good luck!

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