Eating Mindfully in social situations - need ideas.

GoRun2
Posts: 478 Member
So I'm doing OK at losing the 10 lbs I put on over the last year or two, until I get into social situations. Somehow, I forget that I have an eating plan. I do lots of planning before the event, but during the event, I forget. It is worse the longer the social event goes on. Recently I spent a week on a dive boat with food and alcohol provided. Had a great time but ...
I'm planning a 3 week RV trip with friends. Our tradition is that we have a potluck happy hour followed by bringing our own dinner and wine. I can control what I bring, but it is too easy to eat high cal appetizers that others bring or to drink several glasses of wine.
I bought a bracelet to wear on my right wrist during happy hour (I'm a girl goad). It's chunky so I notice it. I'm hoping I'll also see it as I reach for something. I'll see how it works out.
Any other ideas? Anyone else have this problem? How did you address it.
TIA
I'm planning a 3 week RV trip with friends. Our tradition is that we have a potluck happy hour followed by bringing our own dinner and wine. I can control what I bring, but it is too easy to eat high cal appetizers that others bring or to drink several glasses of wine.
I bought a bracelet to wear on my right wrist during happy hour (I'm a girl goad). It's chunky so I notice it. I'm hoping I'll also see it as I reach for something. I'll see how it works out.
Any other ideas? Anyone else have this problem? How did you address it.
TIA
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Replies
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I showed up at a few events with veggie platters. Other people seemed pleased to have healthier choices. Make sure there is always stuff available that fits your plan.
Don't drink. Or bring out a big bottle of seltzer and go spritzer. Might not want to do that if your friends are bringing high class wine. Get a jug of cheap Chardonnay.
Or if you drank wine yesterday, skip it today. Makes it harder to focus. Which I guess is the point. And for some reason I connect the wine table to the dessert table.1 -
Much of my weight loss has come from dealing with some of the mental parts of the puzzle and accepting that there are real tradeoffs. It's not enough to 'want to lose weight'. I did that for about 10 years and it didn't work. I had to move from that to actually being willing to make tradeoffs in my behavior. My situation (ultimately losing 80 pounds) was probably easier than yours--trying to keep 10 pounds off. Still, it maybe helpful to think and act on your trip with particular focus on how you want to end up.
We discuss somewhat similar scenarios in my WW meetings. There's a lot of encouragement to take the trips, have a good time but also practice the habits you do every day when not socializing. Really think about ways you can do this. Some people stick to their own weight-loss versions of breakfast and lunch. Limiting alcohol as previously mentioned can address a few related problems. Halving dinner portions but still enjoying the food can help too. Making a point to walk or exercise is another common suggestion.
Frankly, despite you mentioning the one big event, let's face it: three weeks is enough time to do a lot of damage to your plan and could easily set you back much further than when you started out. In my opinion, the big event is only one perhaps relatively small aspect of your vulnerable time. It would take a fair amount of planning and mindfulness for me to pull it off. That said, with your weight situation, I think you can "easily" do it () if you don't lose sight of wanting to come out of it no / little worse for wear.
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Somehow, I forget that I have an eating plan. I do lots of planning before the event, but during the event, I forget.
You forget? Like for the entire evening/event/trip? Really?
That's interesting because it seems I almost never forget about my weight. It's rare that I'm not aware when I've veered off my 'eating plan'. They're choices. So I have to ask myself why I've gone rogue. Sometimes I have the wrong goal for the event. Sometimes there's a special food opportunity (a special food treat). Sometimes I am rebelling. Whatever.
So, first, figure out if you're really forgetting. Then modify behaviors accordingly.1 -
Thanks for sharing your thoughts0
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I agree with staying sober and drinking seltzer. Alcohol is the quickest way I "forget" my goals. I like the idea of the bracelet. Is there a way you can incorporate your lifetime key temporarily on it for an additional visual reminder? I also love the idea of a veggie tray.
Another thing I do is have a handheld purse. Between holding that and my glass of seltzer, it's hard to mindlessly munch. (I swear it's the one time not having pockets actually comes in handy).
Other than that, plan I indulgence a day so that way you don't feel deprived, but make sure to stay on plan the rest of the day. That way you won't miss out on your favorites0 -
I do mental rehersals of the scenarios to plan more. I have been "held hostage" on rafting the Grand Canyon with meals and beverages provided. They did make nice food including salads. I didn't gain but was doing maintenance by then. No snacking except maybe one organized one or two. With the hiking it was ok. Hope you have time to hike and walk on R.V. trip.1
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Thanks Rachel and Podkey.
Podkey, yep went down the Grand Canyon this year. It was amazing. I'll do that one again. The food was pretty normal and it was easy to give cakes and brownies a pass on that trip.
Rachel, I like the purse idea or having something in one hand. I don't carry a purse to the RV potluck, but I'll think about the idea.
Going camping this weekend. Making a strawberry mint "virgin" wine spritzer. I figure messing around with the mint and strawberries will keep my hands occupied during happy hour.
Also bought a bracelet suitable for camping. I'll try that also.
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