FREAKING OUT!!

Plan out your meals & get some serious workouts in. Enjoy a little but don't overindulge.

Remember what your goals are and what will make you happiest in the long run. Allow yourself some treats, but stick close to your target calories and maintain your exercise regime. And breathe.....................

Don't deprive yourself. Workout a little longer each party day and don't overeat at the parties. Don't go to the birthday parties hungry;eat a fiber rich snack to fill you up. Don't let a few days ruin all your hard work. You can do it!!!

Great advice! i would add some protien to the pre party snack or meal. eat a good breakfast that day too. I made it through 4 weekends of parties on both weekend days without any trouble. just because there are treats there doesnt mean you have to eat them. chew gum or take a big travel mug of tea or two, keep that in your hands and not the snacks. Stay strong and you will be fine. take a platter of veggies, meats and cheeses, its nice to do and it will ensure something you can munch on(in moderation) all in all its your choice, dont use the phrase "no thanks im on a diet" the pressure will start from those who love to sabotage, just say no thank you or take a small portion and eat it slowly or ditch it later when noone is looking. I always take a big 20oz tea and a tray of something I can have.

good luck

Do some calorie cycling and eat lighter on the days around the events you are attending.

This always works and get some extra workouts in to give you some extra calories to eat.

Remember the 3 D's to this Journey...write it down, post it everywhere!!

Dedication
Discipline
Determination


YOU are in control of YOU. Plan ahead... during your life (every december apparently) You will face temptations........Remember that YOUR hard work, is WORTH the courage to resist the urge to over indulge.

All you can do , is keep those 3 D's close to your mind and your heart...eat in moderation, drink your water, and Keep on Track.

You can do it.......... One good choice, followed by another, and on and on and on....

Have enough to satisfy the craving. If you try and plan it into your calories, you can plan ahead and know what to have those days for other meals and how much exercise to get in.

^^^THIS^^^ - For instance, everyone was eating pumpkin cheesecake this morning. I ate a 1/4 sliver of a piece. It was still good, I still got to eat it and I only used up 100 of my calories for the day. Life is GOOD!

Make a point to eat something before you attend these parties. That way you will be full and satisfied and less likely to eat something you will regret later!

My mother died on Christmas three years ago. Appreciate the fact you have family to celebrate with. Don't ruin your time with them by worrying about something as silly as calories.

exercise and eat in moderation. Don't deprive yourself though. If you want some cake, just eat half of what you'd usually eat, you'd have your craving plus feel good about not over doing it.

I'm sorry if I am repeating.

I agree with eating lighter on th non-event days and adding exercise somewhere to cover the extra calories.

Another thing that helps me is bring a dish (or dishes) to pass that is in line with my cravings and is still healthy. For example, I love cheesy potatoes, if I make them, I can adjust for lighter sour cream, milk, etc. If my mom makes them, it's full fat everything and twice the butter for 'taste'! Or I bring snacks to pass-fruit or veggie tray, hummus, etc.

Xanex?? :laugh:

Seriously though...do you absolutely HAVE to go to every one of these birthdays (like the cousin or sister-in-law for example?), or can you make an excuse, send a gift, and skip a couple of them? Be sure to get in some good workouts those days, and remember, you don't have to eat cake at all of them (fitting into your wedding dress is an excuse everyone will understand)!
Hang in there!

I can understand freaking out. We've all been there. You just gotta breathe and do the best you can. You are not going to fail your diet/new lifestyle of healthy eating in one day, or even a few days. It just doesn't happen like that.

Already some good advice here. Exercise as much as you can to offset an increase in calories. Stay 200-300 calories under goal on non-event days so you have a "cushion" at the events. Plan things out. Allow yourself some treats, log them, do your best to stick to your calorie/macro goals. If you go over by a little, don't go crazy.

Make two important commitments:

1. Log everything
2. No compulsive choices

#2 is hard, but you can plan. If you know you are going to an event with a lot of delicious food, have a healthy snack before arriving, drink lots of water, and try not to get obsessive (easier said than done, I know).

For me, the most important thing is watching the compulsivity. If you want to eat a piece of cake, then decide you want to eat it, plan to log the calories and ENJOY it. Act with intention. Don't find yourself looking down at a plate of crumbs wondering "how did that happen?"

Is this all you have going on in your life right now to stress out about? I am jealous.

Okay, that's 14 weeks away and you have 17 pounds to go...YOU GOT THIS! You just need to stick to your game plan. Keep your eye on the prize and remember EXACTLY why you're doing this. Remind yourself before you put that food in your mouth what you want more. I agree, deprivation will get us no where, but what do you want more? One treat won't put you over, but eating like it doesn't matter will. This is our life, and in life there will always be temptation so let's deal with it. (I will be practicing what I preach-LOL). Don't quit, don't give up, you can totally do this! Exercise will definitely help so let's not forget about that.

We got this. I have about the same to lose so I'm gonna need a kick in the butt too this month and I'm counting on you. Jamie