Surviving a family party can be one of the most challenging things to do when you are trying to lose weight, shape up or maintain a healthy lifestyle.
They can be packed with monkey breads, cupcakes, pizzas, cookies, fried dough and other fried foods. All the foods you love and avoid are there just to taunt you and attempt to seduce you. Not to mention, your grandmother is there forcing you to eat more food because no matter how much you weigh, she thinks you are too skinny!
You can’t avoid them! It is important to celebrate with your friends and your family, but you must be prepared. You must go in with a plan of attack so you don’t leave with feelings of guilt and regret.
Here are a few tips for family parties.
1. Go prepared with healthy foods. If you know there will not be any healthy food, make some and bring it with you. People will love you for bringing food. Check out foodnetwork.com, cookinglight.com, self.com & eatingwell.com for healthy recipes. Wholefoods.com even has a recipe section. At least you know you can eat what you brought.
2. Fill your plate up with greens. If half your plate is filled with veggies, you won’t have room for much of anything else! You will also get fuller faster from all the water and fiber.
3. Go in with a good attitude. Plan to eat one treat when you are at the party. Maybe your mom’s pumpkin pie is your favorite thing in the world. Have a small slice! Don’t deny yourself the things you love because you are on a diet. Also, you want to take part in your family traditions.
Every year my mother makes me a cookie monster cake on my birthday. She has been doing it for over 20 years. I have to have a slice. It is small and I don’t go back for seconds. It is enough to satisfy my taste buds and make my mom happy.
Don’t go in with an all or nothing attitude. If you make a mistake and eat 5 cookies, don’t go and eat a plate of ribs and chips! It is never too late to stop and eat healthy! Don’t sabotage yourself! Just own up to your mistakes and brush them off.
4. Stand your ground. Go in with your plan of attack and don’t let anyone steer you off track. Don’t keep eating when you aren’t hungry just because a friend or a family member tries to make you eat something. It is okay to say no.
5. Don’t be afraid to take part in these events. These are the things that make life enjoyable. You don’t want to think back on your mother’s 60 birthday party as the day your were worrying about your weight.
6. Remember, tomorrow is a new day! =)
I was reading an interesting story today about office jobs making people fat. I feel that! I sit down for 8.5 hours a day! I feel so lazy when I leave my job.
Check it out.
Fitness Fitting Me 
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