I'm scared of the 4th of July!!!

Aww don't be scared this is just a part of life. I celebrated the 4th on Saturday and I enjoyed it, I just substitued some things and ate smaller portions of things that I wanted to try like 1/2 rib and sugar free ice cream (both in small portions) and I drank lots of water. I also had my turkey burger with grilled veggies. I enjoyed the fellowship and family time.

I have found that having "just one" can be a slippery slope. You aren't scared without cause. Heed that voice and just walk away from the food table. If it's making you a little nuts to sit there while others are chowing down, excuse yourself and go for a walk, refill your ice water, whatever it takes to avoid that first bite. But, if you don't succeed in avoiding it altogether, aim for moderation. If that's not possible, then forgive yourself and start anew the next day. It's not a sin to wander off the path, but you sound like it might make you feel very guilty so don't punish yourself emotionally or physically with a day of deprivation.

A recent experience of mine: Just this past weekend, I went to a fundraiser dinner for a great guy who has ALS. The combination of this sad turn of events and a nice buffet, bar, etc. and I had a couple glasses of wine, followed by a nice plate of skinless chicken breast, green beans, red skin potatoes with gravy, a dinner roll with butter, a salad with dressing and Bailey's rocks for dessert. The next morning, I woke up two plus pounds heavier than the morning before. And while I returned to the regime I'd been following, the pounds lingered until this morning. Besides a return to a very carefully managed nutrition plan, I played two hours of tennis each day. This morning I was within 0.1 of the lowest I'd been since starting on this quest again. I knew I'd messed up with the first glass of wine and the moment I picked up the spoon in the mashed redskins, but while I'm disappointed with the set-back, I am shaking it off and back on plan.

I, too, am sadly "there again" after having lost 80 pounds in 1989 and keeping it off for the most part for a couple decades. Now I find myself with 47 pounds to lose (4 down, 47 to go)! I'm near the start, but determined to avoid temptation until I'm no longer concerned about it. For those slender decades, I enjoyed myself at picnics and parties in moderation, but my triggers were under control and I knew that letting myself eat too much of a good thing wasn't a good thing for me. I let that healthy eating/healthy living resolve fade and the result was going from an amazing size 4 to an unattractive size 16! Plus my thyroid failed so it was hard to get my metabolism to rebound, even with synthetic hormore and I'm 57 now so everything is slowing down.

It's a struggle, but I'm determined to stay the course. What worked for me in the past isn't all possible now because my body has changed and my life has changed. I don't have a lot of free time for exercise or healthy cooking. I reworked my schedule to match my new priorities. Tennis was a love when I was young and I convinced my SO to learn the game. He likes it a lot. We play almost every day and I feel much better, much more in control of my fate. His birthday is July 4 and a big family picnic is planned. I'll enjoy my fat free hot dog and try to avoid the rest. Hang in there this 4th!

I have mastered the art of just taking a taste of what i want to try and I will only let myself get seconds of the healthier options if I'm still hungry. My downfall will be the booze!

I just spent a weekend at a golf outing for my company. I knew I wouldn't be logging as I would be eating out constantly. I even ate a buffet!!! I just made healthier choices, chicken, salad, turkey... but I drank A LOT!!! But I got on the scale this morning and I was still down a pound!! I suppose that could have been the 18+ holes we golfed for 3 days straight, but I'll take it.
Just don't fear food. If you find yourself going back to the goodie table over and over, start asking yourself, "Am I really hungry?" Most of the time you will say, no, not really. So control yourself and stay away unless your body is asking you for food. You will be all good girl! Just have a good time, don't worry about that brownie!!

Happy 4th everyone!!

I am not a fan of the “its one day do what you want”. For me that is a very slippery slope that leads to more bad decisions. Weight goes on a lot faster than it comes off.

I say don’t worry about it just plan for it. If you know you are going to want one brownie plan for ONE brownie. Earn it by getting in a little extra exercise in BEFORE the cook out, none of this “I can work it off later “stuff. If you did not earn it you do not eat it. Bring foods you know you will be good to eat Veggie platter, grilled Veggie kabobs, salad and fruit. Fill up on these foods first before touching higher empty calorie foods. No one ever got fat making 2, 3 or 4 trips to the salad bowl. You will be more likely to eat less if you are full of healthy low calorie foods. Also stay away from empty calories like soda, salad dressing and dips.

Use this as an opportunity to show yourself how STRONG you are. You will thank your self on the 5th /9th for it.
Good luck and Have fun.