Just want to focus on how many parties I have coming up before the end of the year, and make a PLAN to get through the parites in a way that supports my long term weight loss goals.
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The first holiday party is tomorrow night, our best friends' "Non-Denominational Holiday Festivus"...this is the party I am *least* concerned about, because all our friends are crazy vegan-vegetarian-glutenfree-organic LUNATICS just like us. That being said, there are challenging aspects to any party, so here are some of my goals for tomorrow nite:
--Eat low cal, but FILLING (veggies) all day before the party: our friends never eat until LATE, and I don't want to be ravenous.
--Eat a piece of fruit right before going...it always takes them FOREVER to get the food out, and for everyone to arrive.
--AVOID GRAZING. They always serve buffet style (which I think is actually *better* for dieters, IF you navigate it right), so instead of picking at stuff all night, follow my ONE PLATE rule: grab a nice big paper plate, fill the plate ONCE with all the little foods I want to try and which are healthy for me, and then enjoy my ONE PLATE and be done with it.
--Bring board games, face paints, or any other group activity that I can get involved in, which will help take my focus off food.
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Then, next Thursday, I have ANOTHER holiday party...but I am not looking forward to this one as much...I don't know the people that well (it is for a NEW second job I recently started), and it is sit down "family style" at an Italian restaurant...not my ideal...
--Don't let nervousness over not knowing my coworkers very well derail me; ask lots of friendly questions, focus on their conversation, and generally just keep the mood lively.
--I already expressed to my boss that I don't eat meat, and I don't eat gluten. She said the restaurant has a gluten free pasta and clams option...check in a couple days before the party just to confirm that those options are available. I asked for a BIG salad, which is good.
--I don't have to eat large amounts: I can have a fruit and water before arriving, and I don't have to eat everything on my plate...I can pick at things and kind of move them around to be polite :)
--Earlier that day: low cal but filling, water water water, etc
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After I get through those two parties, I still have ANOTHER work party (but one where I know everyone much better, and the format is a casual buffet style), and of course the requisite family dinners on Christmas eve and Christmas day....
I know what I need to do to enjoy the parties in a way that I can feel good about...I will wake up the NEXT day after the parties feeling good if I stick to my food plan, eat lightly, and take care of myself while enjoying others' company...