Survival Guide for Labor Day Weekend
Thursday September 1, 2011
HOLY COW! I can't believe it is already September! Where did the summer go???
I know that for many, these long weekends filled with family and/or friend get togethers can derail any sane person. If you are hosting, it can be the pressure & stress of getting it all done. For others, just going near a table filled with goodies tests all you have done to lose the pounds up to this point in time.
You know, it does not have to be that hard. Of course I will say PLAN AHEAD like I have done many times in the past.
1. Plan not only for what you will eat but what you are WILLING to eat & also live with it without guilt! This is key so you don't get all down on yourself & then give up.
2. Plan for what you what you can bring to help you thru the gathering. I am one for always bringing food I want to eat so I don't have to worry about it.
3. Slow down & take some deep breaths. It helps!
4. Try to get some sort of workout in no matter what, even if you have to shorten it up OR walk before or after the "event. You will feel better physically & mentally. Hey, it is labor day & many people head to the park or beaches or mountains. HAVE FUN! Play games & keep active!
5. Be mindful when eating so you don't end up overdoing - unless that is your plan.. Nothing like eating too much & feeling like crap afterwards. You can enjoy without that feeling if you PLAN.
6. Keep water or a low cal drink in your hands to keep you from grabbing mindlessly. Also, keep in mind the empty calories of sugary drinks. "Newly released numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show Americans are consuming millions of gallons of non-diet soda and sports drinks, including high-caffeine energy beverages, starting young with kids given all types of sugary juices. On average, males consume 175,000 total calories from sugar drinks on a given day. That's equal to a can of soda a day. The CDC report shows 5 percent of Americans consume at least 567,000 total calories from sugar drinks, equal to at least four cans of soda per day." See more on this report HERE.
7. Don't go to a get together starving! You will eat everything in site & probably more than you would otherwise.
8. Wear some tighter pants, if you are wearing pants. The feeling of them getting too tight may help you not to eat way too much. I know, but some people say this helps. Think about how if you are at home in stretchy clothes how easy it is to just "fill them out".
9. Don't give up afterwards if you overdo .... Just get back to it right after the party or get together. It will make a difference AND you will be less likely to head into the upcoming holiday months with pounds you don't want on you & you also will have a better mental attitude!
10. OWN WHAT YOU DO AND MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Me, I eat healthy for all the meals & plan for a treat .... or 2 or 3 because treats are my thing I like to splurge on. If you are the meal person & not a treat person, try eating your other meals totally healthy (& maybe smaller than normal) & then enjoy that one main meal at your gathering.
What are your strategies for surviving the parties & feeling OK afterwards?
Have a wonderful holiday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOLY COW! I can't believe it is already September! Where did the summer go???
I know that for many, these long weekends filled with family and/or friend get togethers can derail any sane person. If you are hosting, it can be the pressure & stress of getting it all done. For others, just going near a table filled with goodies tests all you have done to lose the pounds up to this point in time.
You know, it does not have to be that hard. Of course I will say PLAN AHEAD like I have done many times in the past.
1. Plan not only for what you will eat but what you are WILLING to eat & also live with it without guilt! This is key so you don't get all down on yourself & then give up.
2. Plan for what you what you can bring to help you thru the gathering. I am one for always bringing food I want to eat so I don't have to worry about it.
3. Slow down & take some deep breaths. It helps!
4. Try to get some sort of workout in no matter what, even if you have to shorten it up OR walk before or after the "event. You will feel better physically & mentally. Hey, it is labor day & many people head to the park or beaches or mountains. HAVE FUN! Play games & keep active!
5. Be mindful when eating so you don't end up overdoing - unless that is your plan.. Nothing like eating too much & feeling like crap afterwards. You can enjoy without that feeling if you PLAN.
6. Keep water or a low cal drink in your hands to keep you from grabbing mindlessly. Also, keep in mind the empty calories of sugary drinks. "Newly released numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show Americans are consuming millions of gallons of non-diet soda and sports drinks, including high-caffeine energy beverages, starting young with kids given all types of sugary juices. On average, males consume 175,000 total calories from sugar drinks on a given day. That's equal to a can of soda a day. The CDC report shows 5 percent of Americans consume at least 567,000 total calories from sugar drinks, equal to at least four cans of soda per day." See more on this report HERE.
7. Don't go to a get together starving! You will eat everything in site & probably more than you would otherwise.
8. Wear some tighter pants, if you are wearing pants. The feeling of them getting too tight may help you not to eat way too much. I know, but some people say this helps. Think about how if you are at home in stretchy clothes how easy it is to just "fill them out".
9. Don't give up afterwards if you overdo .... Just get back to it right after the party or get together. It will make a difference AND you will be less likely to head into the upcoming holiday months with pounds you don't want on you & you also will have a better mental attitude!
10. OWN WHAT YOU DO AND MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Me, I eat healthy for all the meals & plan for a treat .... or 2 or 3 because treats are my thing I like to splurge on. If you are the meal person & not a treat person, try eating your other meals totally healthy (& maybe smaller than normal) & then enjoy that one main meal at your gathering.
What are your strategies for surviving the parties & feeling OK afterwards?
Have a wonderful holiday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by truth2beingfit at 8/31/2011 9:09 PM 
Categories: Motivation/Support, Awareness, Holidays, Healthy Eating, Challenges, Holiday Eating, Tips, Food
Tags: holiday eating holiday healthy eating tips holiday weight help weight loss maintenance Labor Day healthy eating
Categories: Motivation/Support, Awareness, Holidays, Healthy Eating, Challenges, Holiday Eating, Tips, Food
Tags: holiday eating holiday healthy eating tips holiday weight help weight loss maintenance Labor Day healthy eating
and enjoy.
and LIVE.
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Right on Carla!
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I love this post! Thanks Jody for the good advise. I don't usually do anything on these weekends, but I do plan on exercising a lot.
Happy Labor Day to you!
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Sheri - let me know about those new Hoka shoes! Also, are they as wide as the Mafates? Have a wonderful one!
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#8 - will have to go shopping. After my 3 week long backpacking trip all my pants got bigger.
Good post Jody. Thanks.
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Ewa, that is a good thing & man, you had an adventure!
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At some point along the way, I reached a point where I ceased to worry about these types of gatherings. They're part of LIFE and I'd much rather spend time with the people I care about than sit around fretting about calories.
That said, most of my events are planned for, so I just try to stick to plan diligently before and after. It helps that most folks serve fresh fruits and veggies along with the more decadent stuff. Balance is a beautiful thing.
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Cammy, such a great attitude! Love it! My tummy is really sensitive after all these years so I just try to be careful but I have my treats!
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"Wear tighter pants." I need to go to more Labor Day parties, LOL!!
Now I'm wondering why it's not called No-Labor Day??
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DR. J, you are too funny!
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Well, as you know, I struggle with this a lot! And, also I am finding it hard to believe it is September!
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Karen, I think you can do it especially after your post today!
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Love this list. I'm psyching myself up to be reasonable this weekend and try and not overdo it (I tend to let things go on holidays). I like the "what you are WILLING to eat & also live with it without guilt!" statement. I think I'll go with that
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Geosomin - isn't that what it is all about - if you enjoy, just do it without guilt & move on!
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Jody, I'm so darn tired of summer at this point and want the Fall to come really fast. I have plans to take my kids to the park. I'll walk the 3 mile path while they bike with their training wheels, and then we'll play at the jungle gym. No food fiascoes for me this weekend. I refuse it!
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Josie - that sounds like a wonderful weekend!
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I actually have just come to terms with the fact that I am likely to overeat at family gatherings and now I am okay with that. One day won't mess up my life and if I really like that food, that's okay.
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Lori, this is so true & I love how you enjoy! As I said to Cammy, my tummy is a bit sensitive after all these years but I always look forward to my treats & rather have them anyway!
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Nice post Jody. I like to pre-eat some protein and whole grains before going to a function. It takes the edge off my hunger and that allows me to make good choices when it comes time to eat. I always take something I can eat without guilt!
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