Monday, May 10, 2010

30 Point Challenge

Kind of weird to admit, but this weekend I've been thinking a lot about what my 30 point challenge should be for the next three weeks. I've been going back and forth, trying to figure out what would be a good goal for me. I've come up with a few ideas, but here is the final decision: I have five social events this week starting on Wednesday. FIVE! And, they all revolve around food. Saying that I'm nervous about them is an understatement. Maybe I should use the word panicked, but that seems to extreme. But, I am panicked. When I am out of my comfort zone, in an uncontrolled environment, I always go into panic mode. How am I supposed to eat within my calorie range, but most important, how am I supposed to keep my emotions in control? I don't want to go away every night having the anxiety of feeling like a failure, coming home and binging the rest of the night away because I blew it anyway. Bad attitude I know. I'm working on that. (Maybe a good challenge for another time) So, here's where the challenge takes place. I'm going to come up with a written plan, each morning, of how I'm going to conquer the social event that night. Here's the part I'm asking from you: I need some ideas? Here is my normal pattern: when I have an activity that involves around food, I tend to have the blown it attitude before the event has started. I know I'm not going to succeed for the activity, so I mine as well blow it big for the rest of the day. In the moment I don't care, but when it's all said and done, I feel sick, I can't sleep at night, I feel depressed, and a whole bunch of other emotions. Not only that, but it is so hard to break away from the attitude the next day. So I need a plan, and I need to stick to it. Any suggestions? What do you do in social eating events to keep your emotions, and eating under control?

5 comments:

  1. How about keeping a water bottle in your hands at all times? Take a sip every time you want to eat.

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  2. I've been thinking about this since I first read it so I have a little advice but it's hard since I don't know exactly what the social events are.
    I had a friend who was working really hard to lose weight last winter. When she came to my annual Christmas Party she didn't eat a thing even though I had provided veggies. At the end of the night I asked her about it. She said she knew if she even went over there to get veggies she would be to tempted to eat the other foods. She had a water bottle in her hand all night and eventually had a diet coke.

    The next month I hosted a get together for her sister who was visiting from out of town and was also a friend of mine. There were less treats and more healthy options. The ate healthy options, not treats.

    I really like Mindy's water bottle in the hand idea. If you are attending social gatherings where there is food then make it about socializing. Eat a healthy meal before you come (or protein shake) and snake only on veggies (NO DIP) or stick strictly to the water. No one will think the less of you for only having water because it's about socializing.

    Now if you're going out to eat. Check out the menu ahead of time. Make a plan and stick to it! If there is no menu and you don't want to use a free day be picky...ask for modifications but if you don't want to do that stick to a salad with protein and dressing on the side.

    If you are having a dinner at someones home it's hard to say "I can't eat what you've prepared" so take SMALL portions and don't lick the plate clean. You can leave a little on without being offensive. And you may choose to eat lighter earlier in the day to stay in check.

    I hope some of these ideas are helpful. I've had lots of social gatherings the last two weeks and it's been a challenge but I've done really good. The hard part was drinking a soda but it was a better option than a dessert.

    Please let us know how you do, what tricks you used and what you would do differently. BE STRONG. I know you can do it. I wish I was there to stand by your side so we could be strong together!!!! Good luck!

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  3. oh yeah one last thought. Be the best you can be during the day. Even if you have a little slip up mid morning reaffirm yourself before lunch. Don't throw in the towel because if you do on day 1 then you may not stop until day 5. Each little slip up pick yourself back up right then, email me and we can chat...dont' let your mind or your emotions get the best of you.

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  4. One little advice is to stay away from the food table. Fill your plate and move away and don't return. It is way too easy to graze your way back and forth tasting and tasting until you have really blown it. So choose wisely and move away. The glass or bottle of water is a great idea. Eat lighter in the day so you have a few calories to spare. I like your written plan. Well thought out will make a difference.

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  5. I definitely going to use the water bottle trick. Thanks for that idea.

    Thanks for the great tips everyone! Audrey, you hit it right on. It's a mixture of every social event. My husband planned to meet friends for desert tomorrow night. The next two nights are eating out for a graduation party and a birthday party. Then there's a baby shower, and last good old Sunday "Thanksgiving" dinner that continually kicks me in the butt. I'm going to refer back to this starting tomorrow and figure out a workable plan. Audrey, you might be getting a lot of e mails from and regret offering that:)

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