Only two tablespoons of that?

If you can remember back to this post right here, I talked about taking some measuring tools with you to survive a food gathering.  As a matter of fact, we're coming up on another food gathering that you may or may not participate in.  Super Bowl.  Back to the measuring tools.  In that post, I said that you should plan ahead with what you will have to eat *eg:  2 tablespoons of a specialty dip that you made with 4 crackers*.

A friend of mine asked me how it is that I can only take 2 tablespoons of this or 2 tablespoons of that.  It takes an ounce of willpower and a quick memory that serves to remind me of where I was not too long ago.  Here is what I had for Thanksgiving:  turkey *measured with my scale*, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green salad, stuffing, gravy, and pumpkin pie for dessert. I had a taste of everything, 2tbsp of both potatoes, stuffing & gravy, a LARGE salad, and a sliver of pie.  Also, it is said that the average American eats 3,000 to 3,500 calories on Thanksgiving.  That's more than I should eat in about 2 to 3 days worth of meals, and that's only one meal.

I've also had several people say, "Oh, it only happens just this one time a year."  Yes it does, but it only takes that one meal to derail your weight loss efforts.  You could also say that you only have your birthday once a year, kid's birthdays once a year, other holidays once a year, and the list could go on and on.  I could have said last week that we only go to this 'celebration' once every four years, but I didn't.  Is it better to feel bloated and yucky because you ate whatever you wanted?  Or is better to watch what you eat, choosing wisely, stick to your plan, and feel victorious at the end of the night?

Tomorrow, we are going to a friend's house for Super Bowl.  I am taking raw veggies with a low fat ranch dip *that I'm making myself* and I'm also taking the Hot Spinach Dip that I made for New Year's.  My friend is making chili, a dessert, and something else *can't remember off the top of my head*.  Lots of fresh veggies *bell peppers, carrots*, some of the spinach dip, and some chili.  I might have a little dessert too, depending on what it is.

How can you plan ahead for tomorrow so that you won't derail yourself?

Surviving a trip while trying to eat healthy!

It can be done people.  It can be done!!  I just survived 6 days of a 'celebration' and remained OP *on plan*!  It was hard and frustrating, but deeply satisfying knowing that I was making the best choices that I could.

Tuesday was our travel day.  I packed protein bars to help with breakfasts and while they weren't terribly good on the carb count, they were packed with protein.  I had one of those for breakfast and lunch that day *I couldn't bring myself to pay the prices for something on the plane.*  When we arrived at the hotel, we were on our own for dinner that night.  I was thankful that the food court at the hotel had fresh salads, so I snagged the chef salad *picking some of the meat and cheese off* and scored a light ranch dressing.

Wednesday, they served a brunch, but it wasn't scheduled to be served until 10:30.  So, I had another bar.  At the brunch, I chose scrambled 'eggs', fresh fruit, and topped my eggs with some fresh *didn't look bottled* salsa.  We had our free time and we then went to our session at 4:30, but rather than have a session, they took all 4,000+ of us to Sea World *SURPRISE*!!  Talk about amazing *and almost dreamlike.*  They had different kinds of buffets set up all over Sea World for a variety of taste pallets.  I ended up with some BBQ chicken, 1/4c to 1/2c of potato salad, some fresh fruit, and a salad *dipping my fork in the dressing because they didn't have any light dressings.*  I opted out of dessert.

Thursday, we were on our own for breakfast.  I had a latte and a bar for breakfast.  Lunch was salad *yippee* and a couple of different choices of meat *I chose chicken*.  They also had rice, but I didn't have any of that.  I mainly had the salad.  Dinner that night was *like* a typical camp meal:  Asian noodles *just veggies or veggies and chicken*, chicken bratwurst *with HUGE rolls*, pizza, hummus with pita bread or breadsticks, mini apple pies and brownies for dessert.  What I snagged from that:  noodles with veggies, one bratwurst *no roll*, some hummus with a few pita wedges, 1 breadstick, and a mini apple pie.  Can you say, "Carb overload??"  There wasn't a single vegetable there that night!!

My remaining breakfasts *Friday/Saturday/Sunday* were all a skinny latte, my protein bar, and a banana.  Friday's lunch was in Epcot.  I ended up with a Caesar salad *I could feel my arteries clogging...ha!*  I grabbed a 'side' salad that night with light ranch for dinner.  It had a mess of fresh veggies on it and it was pretty tasty.  Lunch on Saturday was a bag lunch.  My choices were:  turkey sandwich on a HUGE roll, chicken salad wrap, sun chips, potato chips, pretzels, apple/banana, and a cookie.  My choice:  chicken salad wrap, sun chips, an apple, and a cookie for a treat.  The chips ended up being a snack later in the day.  Our dinner Saturday, was a sit down meal.  We were served a salad *yippee*, our main entree was a small *probably 2oz piece* of fish, a 2-3oz piece of beef something or other, about 1/4c of mashed potatoes, and some cooked rainbow carrots *yum!*  I had the mousse that was there for dessert, but wished that I hadn't after I found out how many points it was!!  Yikes!!

Yesterday, I found a place that made a salad at the airport.  Pricey, but worth every penny to me.  I had it made with mixed greens, onion, black olives, tomatoes, cucumber, and chicken.  It was served with a whole wheat roll and I snagged some fat free raspberry vinaigrette dressing.  Dinner?  Was another bar.

While I did okay, I felt like our provided meals were lacking in the vegetable department.  My body didn't like being 'deprived' of veggies.

Regardless of the lack of veggies, I did get plenty of exercise in.  Hubby and I took the stairs *98% of the time.  There were a couple of nights where I was just plain tired.*  Our room was on the 8th floor *I was never so thankful to NOT be on the 16th floor!*  And I didn't really start to get winded until the 6th floor.  I also went to the fitness center 3 times while we were there.  Our room was about 10 minutes from the ballroom where our seminars took place *Yes...in the same hotel!  Crazy, no?*  I also counted all of the walking we did at Sea World, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios.

The trip was wonderful and relaxing.  I loved seeing folks that I haven't seen in 4 years.  This was a valuable lesson to me.  I know now that I can manage no matter the circumstances.  It just takes a little planning, some perseverance, and some will power.  Anything is possible!  Keep at it everyone and I know that you will succeed!

Surviving the food, I mean...holidays

Since we are finishing up the festive fall/winter holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah, New Years), I figured it might be appropriate to talk about how I survive the food holidays.

In an effort to survive the food holidays, one must have an ounce of willpower and a desire to stay the course.  When we get together with others for these festive times, we have to learn to enjoy the people and savor the food we choose.  So without further introduction, I give you...

My Top 10 Tips For Surviving the Holidays  *these will be based on if you are going to someone's home and taking a dish to pass.*

#1--Can you find out what is being served?  Friends and family shouldn't mind if you ask what is being served.  If you are contributing a dish or dishes, you can plan to make them friendly for you.  Often times you don't have to sacrifice taste by making it friendly for you.
#2--Now that you know what is being served *and what you are taking* this will allow you to plan ahead.  Make a decision on what you will have when you get there.  Are there things being served that are special that you don't get to have on a regular basis?  Maybe those things should be on your 'must have' list.  Plan for any drinks you may have alcoholic/non-alcoholic/coffee, etc.
#3--This one will sound weird, but you'll be patting yourself on the back after you do it.  Take tools for measuring.  What kind of tools?  I've taken a tablespoon and my scale.  I would take what you need to be successful.
#4--Be sure to drink some *read-at least 2 glasses* of water while you're there.
#5--Focus on the conversation at hand.  If you spend more time listening and sharing with others, you'll eat slowly, fill up faster, and will avoid eating a bunch of trash food you really don't need.
#6--If there are candy bowls, snacks you can't avoid, try to walk away from them.  If you want some, count it and move on.
#7--Plan to have a variety of foods on your plate.  Try to incorporate some veggies if you can.
#8--If the night seems to be going south, don't beat yourself up.  Count it.  Move on. *Are you seeing a theme here?*
#9--Get some exercise in.  You can't go wrong with a few extra exercise calories/activity points under your belt to help you out.
#10--If you are just overwhelmed and you've had your fill of conversation *not food*, thank your host/hostess and GO HOME!  No one has to continue to get bombarded with visual torture.

These really have helped me to survive the food holidays.

At Thanksgiving, I took my measuring spoons, my scale, a lighter pumpkin pie and light whipped topping, planned on drinking water only, and knew ahead what all would be on the table.  I also logged my entire meal before I went to our friend's house.

Extreme?  Maybe.  Smart?  I think so.  You have to do what's best for you and find what works best for you.  Tweak these and use them.  Maybe you can practice before the next big food induced coma gathering.  Ready?  Go!