Do you stick to calories for social events?

I track, not count. There are some situations where I know I am going to go over and it's fine. What happens on a particular day isn't super relevant. What happens over the course of a week or a month is. And if you stop your count for day, then you don't really have an accurate picture of what happened during that week or month. On certain days, I've gone over by several thousand calories (mostly due to alcohol). But knowing that helps me get my butt in the gym, on the track and eating better the rest of the week.

nope nope nope NOpE

You don't have to count it, but remember to watch portions! I myself love potato salad but mentally tell myself not to have more than a cup (estimated of course). I also only get some pieces, similar type of plate I would have on a diet--you know what it looks like! I also stil to plain liquor, no beer or mixed drinks!

But I like to taste everything...so sometimes I make a mistake! I just drink a lot of water the next few days, and workout accordingly. We have to have fun sometimes!

I always plan in advance for social events so I can make sure to really enjoy them. The last thing I want to do at a barbecue or holiday dinner is worry about how many calories I'm eating. Here are a few of the tips I use to make sure I don't do much, if any, damage:

- If an event is at night, I'll create a calorie sink for the day by eating only low-fat proteins and vegetables before the event. I like to give myself 1500-2000 calories for the event, so I can eat a lot, including dessert, and still be reasonably close to my calorie target. So if I'm shooting for 2500 calories a day, I'll eat 500-1000 calories worth of protein and veggies prior to the event to keep hunger at bay until the big meal.

- If an event is during the day, I pretty much do the same thing, except I'll usually try to estimate how much I actually ate at the event to see if I can eat more afterwards If I can't do this, I just eat according to my hunger, mostly protein and vegetables.

- I focus on getting plenty of protein at the event, preferably starting my meal with meat and plenty of vegetables. This helps to ensure I'm eating foods that will make me feel satisfied, and therefore less likely to overeat when dessert comes. I can do some real damage when a bunch of delicious desserts come out, which brings me to my next point...

- Stick to eating the foods you love, without trying to eat every food option that's available to you. When you have a lot of choices in front of you, you tend to eat more calories. So limit yourself to eating what you really enjoy. For example, if dessert comes out and there's ice cream, chocolate cake, cheesecake, cookies, pie, candy, etc., choose your favorite 1-2 desserts and enjoy them. If you want to taste everything, chances are you'll consume more calories than if you just eat a good portion of 1 or 2.

That's all I can think of for now, but this is a big topic for me because I come from an Italian family that put out a TON of food on holidays, and I've had to learn to enjoy myself and indulge my love of food without sabotaging all my fitness efforts.

I track the other two meal and try to be as most reasonable as possible on those 2 but for the meal included at those social events (ex:supper) I eat normally like everyone else, have 1 drink and that is it. A little sliver of whatever is offered as sweet and I'm ok. I find anyway that most of the time I'm not that hungry because my stomach is not used to have a pile full of food anymore.

Just make good choices. I tend to leave off the bun saves upwards of 200 calories right there. Choose proteins, fruit, veggies, have a drink or two. Exercise to have some extra calories that morning. Have fun if you go over it's one day. Have a great day with family & friends.

Bump

Yes. I log. I need to log. I don't stress about the calories, either, though. I have been known to take pictures of my plate so I can log it later. I agree that an 80/20 lifestyle works, but I need the consistency. I also concur that I am choosy. I can have chips, brownies, etc. any ol' time. I save myself for unusual, rare, and favorite dishes. I eat very light before I go because in my experience I gorge regardless of whether I ate before I left the house or not. For example, I went to a grad party last Saturday. I had a realllllly light breakfast & lunch. I saved 1200 calories for the party. I went over by 200 and I absolutely pigged. So, for me, it was delicious and guiltless. I don't see 200 cals as a devastating overage.

Go, enjoy. Figure out what system works for YOU.

I definitely stick to my calorie intake during social events. Not to sound rude, but to your body calories are calories. Your body does not say "oh it's a special occasion so we won't count this cupcake". Try to stick to the vegetable platter. And find a dessert buddy that you can share a pre-cut piece of dessert with when you can't pick your own serving size. Hang in there and stay strong! I know it's tough. But I'm sure your family will support your decision to eat more healthily.

I stick to water so that I am not getting liquid calories and if I am going to eat foods where I don't know the calories I try not to eat a lot of it. If I know I'm going somewhere with a ton of huge calorie foods I will eat beforehand so I know how much I ate.

I usually go over, but I try to be careful with my choices so I'm not way over. I keep an eye on my drinks, try to have small portions of dessert and rice/bread, and aim at eating more vegetables and meat/fish. I also often have a small plate of salad before the main meal to fill me up. I don't stress much about it though, if I want something, I'll have it. It will even out in a few days.

What I don't do is trying to stay low during the rest of the day or the days before/after. I've done it in the past and it never went well... If I eat too little during the day, I'm miserable all day long and by the time I get to the event I'm starving i.e. controlling myself is harder. Similarly for the days before or after. I'm already in a deficit and it's hard enough to keep it as it is. I find there's no reason to create a bigger one. In a few days the "damage" from the excess calories is undone.

What I find most dangerous about such events is the demoralizing, thinking that you messed up your diet and making this an excuse to go back to old eating habits. I used to do that a lot in the past, but I'm handling it way better now. This is another reason why I get back to normal without becoming stricter with my food the next day. It's a just bump on the road, but once you pass it you keep going at your normal speed.

absolutely not. one of the things i promised myself when i started this lifestyle change waz that i would not do this to myself. this is a forever deal for me. if i can't have the occasional treat meal or a blow-out day every now and again where i don't log obsessively then that's what this will become for me. an obsession, not a healthy lifestyle change.

the biggest changes i've made are - cutting out excess sugar wherever possible, drinking LOTS of water daily, exercising and changing up my walks (i walk to lose weight) so i'm challenged by different terrains and of course this - spiking my metabolism every now and again by having the occasional treat meal or treat day. i have now had 5 "cheat" days and the odd treat meal over the last 10 weeks and i've still lost almost 18 lbs.

If I know that I'm going to go to a social event (example: wedding) later that night, I'll have a lighter breakfast & lunch to allow myself a larger dinner. Even better, hit the gym earlier that morning and you'll have even more calories that you can eat.
OORRRR you can just not give a crap because it's ONE day. We didn't put on all this weight in one day, so ONE day won't kill you. :)Enjoy the party! Whatever you choose to do with your calories, have fun!

Nope. I only get to enjoy those types of things once in a blue moon so I just try to enjoy myself.