How do you stay under when eating out or drinking?

If it's your first night off in four and a half years, I'd just go and have fun. One evening is never detrimental to a diet.

But otherwise, I'd suggest working out a little extra or cutting back over the next couple of days to negate some of the damage.

Let it go. Enjoy yourself once in a while. One day will not kill you. You can have what you want, and get back to normal when you have more control over your situation. Unless you plan to go 3500 claories over in one day, you shuold not gain any real body fat weight. You may gain some water from sodium, but it will come off either way once you get back to your plan.

First off, you shouldn't be trying to come in under your goal, you should be trying to meet your goal. MFP sets your daily calories with a deficit already built in so there's no need to try to deprive your body of even more calories. Just wanted to put that out there..

There are basically three ways you can approach your night out. 1) Since you haven't had a night out in forever and really want to let your hair down, just go for it. As has been said already, one night out isn't going to ruin your long term goals. 2) middle ground - keep your calories low that day and get some exercise in so you have some wiggle room in your calorie goal and keep the drinking moderate by having a glass of water or diet soda between drinks 3) Keep your alcohol intake to a minimum as it's not only high calorie but reduces inhibitions so you're more like to snack or even smoke if you get a good buzz going.

It's a tough call and only you can make it. Good luck!

As far as that dinner at your folks, I'd probably guesstimate as well asI could or just skip logging for the day. Just make sure you keep your portions under control and maybe try to get a little activity in that day as well to offest any indulgences.

Smirnoff Ice and Blue WKD are both 228 calories each, 2 of those babies and you have already hit 1/3 of your daily goal. I drink here and there over the weekend and my drink of choice was Strawberrita till I realized it was 199 calories a can.
Based on MY research, your best bet would be Light Rum or Vodka and a diet coke as a chaser as they range in calories from 65 to 100 and the chaser has zero calories.
However, since you haven't been drinking in the last 4 and half years, I'd say take it easy on the hard liquor though otherwise you will be miserable the next day. My advise is drink Lots of water throughout the night, It will keep you hydrated and help with aftermath headache.

Good luck :flowerforyou:

I say make it a cheat day and live a little!

When I am being really serious about my diet, I offer to bring a dish or two to my parents' house and then I know exactly what is in it and my mom is usually happy to get some help. If that doesn't work, then drink tons of water before you eat. Also, check out the dishes before they start getting passed around and already have a plan as to what you are going to eat and how much. As for going out, I agree one night out won't hurt your long-term plans, but if you are going to be upset at yourself, you do need to plan on drinking some lower-calorie drinks and stay away from bar food. If you don't like the drinks as much as your usual, then you won't drink so much, anyway! Drink lots of water before and after!

One night out can't sabotage anything....you need to wrap your head around the big picture. Your health, nutrition, fitness, etc is about what you're doing most of the time, not what you're doing on occasion.

Let me ask you this...if someone generally eats like ****, doesn't workout, lacks proper nutrition in general...but every once in awhile they decide to eat some broccoli and go for a bike ride...are they suddenly fit and healthy because of what they did on that one day? Of course not...it works the other way too. Just go have fun.

^ well said.

The only think I can add it to still do your best to track in in MFP. Heck of nothing else, using MFP very empowering with the ability to track and understand.

On a personal note....
I took this approach for Thanksgiving. Sure I went over (lol - way over for more than one day cause I was travelling). So while I did not continue to loose weight that week (which is ok), i did not gain any ! I thought that was amazing in itself. And seeing how much i could eat and stay stable was worth the 'experiment'. But even if I gained a pound or so (which i knew i may be at risk for), because I kept on tracking it would not be a 'mystery'. And I could correct the following weeks.

firstly-you shouldn't be UNDER.
secondly, I look up the menu online before I go out so I know what will fit into my goals. I have a light breakfast and light lunch (both high in protein so I stay full) so I can enjoy myself on days I know I will be eating out

Think ahead to what you want or may order. Look up the nutritional information and decide that way. :happy:

This is a great idea. Look on website and see what's on the menu. Pick everything out before you go there. Also, Vodka and club soda with squeeze of lime is only about 70 calories. If you want something sweeter, maybe add a little stevia or splenda to it and then it's like limeade, plus if you get it in a big glass, it takes you longer to drink and you won't totally sabotage yourself

One night out won't ruin everything, so enjoy yourself. When I get a rare night out without my kids, I don't calorie count!

That being said, I can't stand alcopops. I'd chose a vodka and tonic over Smirnoff ice. I drank wkd when I was a teenager, but not sure what's in it.

As for a meal at your parents' - if it's stuff they grow, then surely it involves lots of veg, which is fine.

I typically limit myself to spirits when drinking out. Have 2 or 3 enjoy the conversation.

Holiday's are all about portion control. Eat all the protein and half of the carbs that Mom puts on your plate, then say you're full
In about an hour have a piece of pie/desert and tell her how good it is.

She'll forget that you skipped most of lunch.

I drink and eat out every week and have managed to lose weight and definitely tone up! One night won't hurt you - on days I know I will be over indulging I try to get in a good burn workout if that will make you feel better!