How To Maintain A Social Life and Still Lose Weight!
It’s easy to diet with successful results when you’re at home. I can’t say the same about parties and eating out; if you are like me, that throws you right off the track. Suddenly, all sorts of temptations surround you. You want to have fun with your family and friends instead of thinking about counting calories, restrictions, eating in moderation, and measuring portions.
So what do you do, never go out? Heck no!
Believe it or not, you can make healthy choices while enjoying a social life. All you have to do is keep your goals in sight when you’re out and about.
Try these ideas to turn your family and friends into allies and prepare for many of the most common challenging situations.
Dealing with Your Family and Friends:
1. Ask for help. Experts say that social support is why groups like Weight Watchers have so many success stories. Let your loved ones know what kind of practical and emotional assistance you need. You may want to join an official support group, too, especially if your goal is to lose a significant amount of weight.
2. Team up. You probably know someone who shares your desire to slim down. Collaborate so you can keep each other company and hold each other accountable for working out and eating your vegetables.
3. Change the subject. People may also tend to undermine your positive intentions or, more than likely, simply lack much interest in what you ate for breakfast. You’ll be more fun to be around if you talk about things other than your diet.
4. Make the plans. Seek entertainment in places other than restaurants and bars. Invite a friend to go rock climbing. Bring your children to a science museum instead of an ice cream parlor.
5. Take responsibility. Remember that you control what you eat and drink, and you have to live with the consequences. It will help you to keep any peer pressure in perspective.
Dealing with Eating Out:
1. Preview the menu. Most restaurants post their menus online these days. Find out what your options are so you can decide what to order without being tempted by looking at the specials and other fattening dishes.
2. Shrink your servings. Many restaurants serve jumbo portions. Eat half of what’s on your plate and take the rest home for breakfast. You get a yummy experience twice instead of once, and your non-bloated tummy will thank you for it. If you don’t trust yourself and think you’ll be prone to gobbling it all down, ask the server to pack up half in advance.
3. Pick the venue. Some restaurants offer a more comprehensive selection of delicious low-calorie items. Have a list of local favorites handy, so you can recommend where to go for date nights or weekend brunches.
4. Make substitutions. Ask your server if you can customize your meal. For example, you may be able to get extra vegetables or a green salad instead of French fries or order your fish grilled instead of fried. If your meal includes sauces, see if you can get them on the side. Sauces can contain a surprising amount of fat, sugar, and salt. Over time, consuming too much of these can raise the numbers of your scale.
5. Circle the salad bar. You might think that salad is a safe choice, but it depends on the ingredients. See what’s available at the salad bar before you order. Go easy on the shredded cheese, bacon, and heavy dressings. Load up on leafy greens and other vegetables, like cucumbers. Cucumbers are low in calories, and the high water content of cucumbers could aid in weight loss.
6. Have a snack. If you know that you tend to overindulge in birthday cakes or barbecued ribs, curb your appetite before you leave home. Eat some hummus with celery and baby carrots.
7. Limit alcohol. Cocktails contain many empty calories and can make you crave cheeseburgers and buffalo wings. Draw the line at one drink and make it wine or spirits with a zero-calorie mixer like club soda.
Planning and building a solid support system will help you slim down and still enjoy hanging out with your loved ones. After all, healthy eating AND close relationships play a significant role in your happiness and well-being. Now you can confidently have both!
