Church/Work potlucks?

I would relax and enjoy it and just guestimate the cals! Have a nice time, and chill out a bit

My last job was verrry famous for having random lunches & meals brought in. I used to get what I wanted, but get a little of it. I would get more of the healthy stuff, but I wouldn't deny myself a cookie or brownie. (: That way, you can kind of sample everything & enjoy yourself w/out overthinking it. I did log them on MFP--guesstimation as to the serving size, but generally--if it was a potato salad, I'd just log it as that, nothing fancy.

I was in WW last year and there was a girl who had lost over 100 pounds in 7 or 8 months. She was talking to everyone about different strategies she had used and this was one of the topics. Whenever she went to a picnic, she'd pack her own entire lunch and that was what she would eat. She wanted to be sure she was eating in a controlled environment and knew EXACTLY how many calories she was eating.

WOW! I'd do the same! I mean - losing 100 pounds in 8 months is some serious stuff! I have no problem packing my own lunch. I love this idea. Especially if it gets my results like this girl you're mentioning!

If you don't want to go to that extreme, I'd say just stick with foods that you are sure are healthier. Fruits, veggies, etc. If you can't resist something that looks great, look it up on the database and do your best to track. Every day isn't going to be perfect. If this is going to be a lifestyle change, it has to work with your life style. Try to get a little extra exercise in that day to help out!

I usually do this, myself. I eat fruits and vegetables that haven't been prepared (no sauces, no toppings, etc.) because I KNOW the calories for those! Those are guess free! Most dishes at potlucks (although you won't possibly know how they were REALLY prepared) are probably prepared in a typical, normal way. If you're eating greenbean casserole, you can probably assume it was prepared in a normal way. Just do your best to estimate it. Eat very small portions of these questionable items and very large portions of vegetables.


Also - I love to bring a little index card to put on the dish that I bring. I indicate the name of the dish, the serving size, the calories, and then other info. that might be important (is it vegetarian? vegan? diabetic-friendly?). The more YOU do that, the more OTHERS will do that. It's really helpful! Not everyone is trying to lose weight, but there ARE a lot of people who have a special diet (for hypoglycemia, diabetes, vegetarianism, etc.).

Good luck! Drink lots of water! Make good choices!!!