Setting the stage for successful social eating

Ideally, I would never have to work from the outside in and no 'tip' or 'trick' would be needed. I would just make amazing choices, listen to my body (i.e.: eat when I’m hungry and stop when I’m full), but in social situations this common sense stuff can frequently fly out the window. In order to set myself up for success, I do a few things:

- Spoil my appetite: I never enter a social situation hungry. I do not save calories for these events. I eat before I go and arrive to the event full. This way I can make rational decisions about what to taste/sample. Even if I plan on eating a full meal at a restaurant, I STILL spoil my appetite. Arriving full saves me hundreds (if not thousands) of calories. Office luncheon? Appetite spoiled. Pre-dinner bread basket? Nice try...I'll pass. Girls night dinner at the Melting Pot? I arrive full and make sane choices about what to sample and when I’ve had enough.

- I wear clothing that does not allow room for a huge meal/over eating: The belt-over-everything trend has been my friend. I always wear a fitted belt around my waist over button downs, sweaters, cardigans, whatever. Wear those skinny jeans. Wear that fitted dress. Put on that corsette (it’s called a ‘torsette’ now, but whatever). No matter what fitted outfit/garment I’m wearing it's my goal to make it fit comfortably ALL. NIGHT. It's really hard to stuff myself full of food when my outfit does not allow for much expansion of the belly. There's a reason people undo their pants after a big meal. I won't be that girl.

I also skip the bread basket. Start with a cup of broth based soup to fill me up. Half of my entree goes in a 'to go' container as soon as it arrives at the table. If dessert is ordered, I have a bite or two. I also keep the black, decaf coffee coming.

These tactics have worked for me for the past year

Charmagne