Memorial Weekends

ctoteh86
ctoteh86 Posts: 16
in Health and Weight Loss
OK so this weekend is going to be SOOO tough for me with all of the barbeque grills going. Any suggestions as to how I can maintain eating healthy and still being able to be fulfilled and not feel as if I am going without? Anybody else tempted by the holidays?

Replies

  • Abells
    Abells Posts: 756 Member
    grilled chicken :)

    log what you eat -- the more you see it written down the less likely you are to go over -- get a nice run in in the mornings too
  • AprilPayne24
    AprilPayne24 Posts: 68
    No cheese on your burger
    1/2 a bun or no bun at all
    Super lean meat
    Add lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard
    No mayo
    Grilled Chicken with Seasoning
    Corn with little or low-cal butter
    Lots of fruit and veggies
    Stay away from (insert name here) salad....you name it; potato, macaroni, pasta
    Moderation, Moderation, Moderation!

    Happy Holiday Weekend! :)
  • Jess81620
    Jess81620 Posts: 72 Member
    I have been trying to prelog my food so that I can see how much I should be eating before I do it.
  • aurelias27
    aurelias27 Posts: 6 Member
    It's definitely tough at barbecues, especially if you are going to multiple barbecues in one weekend! Here's what I do - I limit myself to one burger and I load up on salad (avoiding the potato salad or having just one spoonful). Maybe you could eat a smaller breakfast / lunch before the barbecue, or exercise in the morning if you know your calorie intake will be higher that day. I generally eat just an apple, and then a healthy salad with spinach or broccoli and oil and vinegar dressing if I know I'm going to eat more than usual in the evening. My weakness are Indian curries - I have to make them once every couple of weeks. And they have to be simmered in plenty of sauce!

    But don't worry too much. Good luck and I hope you have a fun Memorial Day weekend!
  • 2befit2
    2befit2 Posts: 58 Member
    get up early and get your workout on first:wink:
  • afigueroa_pr
    afigueroa_pr Posts: 344
    Two words:
    "Portion Control"
    You can pretty much eat what you want, but in moderation
    :D
    Have a great one!!
  • meidson
    meidson Posts: 28 Member
    Hi,

    If you are going to a BBQ on Memorial Day, can you offer to bring a salad for everyone to enjoy? Salads usually go over well at a BBQ. You can make a tossed salad with lots of your favorite vegetables or a fruit salad. That way you will have a choice that is within your eating plan.

    The Holiday Week-end is a tough one. I plan to exercise early in the day, drink a lot of water, and track what I eat. I might stray some from my usual way of eating, but I hope to be on-track again Tuesday when things will be back to normal.

    Have an enjoyable Holiday Week-End!
  • cmayfield3
    cmayfield3 Posts: 176 Member
    Log it beforehand! You pretty much know what foods will be on offer, so you can play around with different portions and side dishes in your log to see what fits into your day. Then, when you get there, you have a plan and you know you'll be on track.
  • La_Amazona
    La_Amazona Posts: 4,855 Member
    I say portion control too...

    For me, I'm not going to worry about counting calories but I'll try to be good. It's a holiday, I'll be out of town and it's only 1 day so eh...

    I will go for a run early though!
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    I have TONS of great, diet friendly dishes you can bring to pass. PM if you are interested!!
  • LastMinuteMama
    LastMinuteMama Posts: 590 Member
    get up early and get your workout on first:wink:

    ^ This

    And whether you are hosting or attending the BBQ, bring something healthy so you know that you won't be stuck eating chips and pasta salad all day. A nice big fruit salad is always yummy!
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    Just because there is a lot of good food around doesn't mean you have to stuff your face with all of it.
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    I'm PSYCHED for all the grilled meat I'm going to eat this weekend! And yeah, just because there's a lot of food doesn't mean you need to gorge yourself. Work out like a beast and then MEAT
  • Cocochickdeleted
    Cocochickdeleted Posts: 342 Member
    You have all week to prepare for that one day. You could do the Weight Watchers thing and reserve some calories every day so you can eat a bit more that one day. Portion control and exercising early in the day are good suggestions, too. Try to make good choices just to alleviate any guilt you might feel if you went full bore.
  • lacroyx
    lacroyx Posts: 5,754 Member
    I have the best solution for BBQ temptations! I work the entire weekend. no time for fun. it'll just be business as usual for me.
  • JSheehy1965
    JSheehy1965 Posts: 404
    grilled veggie kabobs, grilled chicken marinaded in lemon juice/olive oil/garlic/lemon thyme, corn on the cob. Yum!! I love grilling!!
  • Brandicaloriecountess
    Brandicaloriecountess Posts: 2,126 Member
    Eat chicken, and veggies, then you can have a few treats in moderation because you will be full from the really food :)
  • BigDaddyBRC
    BigDaddyBRC Posts: 2,395 Member
    Sure. Simple answer. Make the right choices.

    Also, take some extra time in remembering those that have fought for your freedoms.
  • Zumbagurl64
    Zumbagurl64 Posts: 155 Member
    Good Luck! I have the same problem, going to the lake with friends Saturday and Sunday, will be out on the boat most of the time I'm sure, with lots of alcohol there too.. :-( ** almost dread it.. think i will buy some of the tuna and chicken packets, low cal crackers, take some fruit, lots of water and try to swim as much as possible....
  • catattack13
    catattack13 Posts: 117
    moderation + willpower. works wonders!
  • iysys
    iysys Posts: 524
    get up early and get your workout on first:wink:

    that's my plan. going for my run in the morning before i head to the market.
  • logicman69
    logicman69 Posts: 1,034 Member
    Life is short... eat what you want (in moderation). But like others said, grilled chicken is your friend. Mustard instead of Ketchup on burgers and dogs. Easy on the breads and pastas. Snack on the veggie tray instead of the chips...... save room and calories to enjoy the deserts. :-)

    I don't log calories on holidays. I count it as one of my cheat days and try to enjoy the day just being with family and friends. So kick back and don't let it bother you too much.
  • future_runner
    future_runner Posts: 136 Member
    Along with what others have said, survey the whole spread before you get in line to make your plate. Load up on veggies and lean meat and pick one thing to indulge on. This will help from feeling deprived or like you are missing ut on anything. For me it would be my grandmother potato salad, but maybe for you its dessert or portioned chips and dip. Then thats it. No seconds unless its the veggies. And dont be afraid to ask the host how things are cooked, just like you would in a restaurant.

    Limit your alcohol intake too. Not only does it add to calories but it gives that little bit of "oh screw it" attitude that could ruin a good weight loss week. I like to bring my own MGD 64 to BBQa. Its less calories bc it has a lower percentage of alcohol, so not only am I saving calories but I am having my normal 4 beers with only a 3 beer affect.

    Perfect salad for things like this if you chose to bring your own described below. Pre-dressed lettuce wilts and gets soggy- no good.

    Raw: Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes- this is the base. You can ad watercress or celery, onions, sugar snap peas, whatever you like.

    Mix 1 ranch packet (or other dressing seasoning mix) with plain greek yogurt. Ad skim milk until you get the consistency you like.

    Cut the veggies into small, equal size peices and mix the ranch in. Do this in the morning before an afternoon or evening BBQ and refrigerate. If the BBQ starts at 11 you can do it the night before. Its really good and simple and will maintain crunchy-ness all day.

    OR 4th of July fruit salad: Cut strawberries in half or quarters if they are large, mix with blue berries and/or blackberries. Then mix in equal parts greek yogurt (I like to do plain for this bc the berries are so sweet but if the quality of the fruit is so-so like if you are using frozen strawberries, you can use vanilla greek yogurt or mix in honey with the plain) and whipped cream. Refridgerate for a few hours so the "dressing" soaks up some fruity flavor.

    Have a fun, safe weekend!
  • cmayfield3
    cmayfield3 Posts: 176 Member
    Dang, future runner. The fruit salad sounds fantastic, and I don't even usually like creamy salads/fruit salads.
  • katemme
    katemme Posts: 191
    say you are vegan and no one will invite you to to barbeques. no invitation=no temptation.
  • natacha305
    natacha305 Posts: 117 Member
    just splurge.

    you only live once, and its just one day of over eating.

    work out extra hard that morning no guilty feeling later
  • jamiem1102
    jamiem1102 Posts: 1,196 Member
    get up early and get your workout on first:wink:

    THIS! Torch a ton of calories, then go to the bbq and have fun! :) You shouldn't be scared to go to events. Just be smart about your choices (mostly just portion control it) and have a good time.
  • cbmcphillips
    cbmcphillips Posts: 801 Member
    Let's remember the real reason for Memorial Day and those that have gone before so we can have our Freedom!

    Not to say don't have the BBQ, etc...

    Thanks
  • Init_to_winit
    Init_to_winit Posts: 258 Member
    What's really good on the BBQ is veggies!!

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