Guest guest Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 Why are you so stressed? Just relax and enjoy your friends and family. I would have a small snack at home before going and keep your hands full with a glass of water or something low calorie that you can sip on throughout the evenings. The more you engage in others the less you will think about food. You didn't mention if you are bringing anything, but I always volunteer to bring a veggie tray when I go to gatherings lately so I know there wi be something for me to eat. (I'm also gluten intolerant). Hope me ideas help! You can be successful and it sounds like you have the support of your husband too. Which is great. He can help watch out for you. Sent from my iPhone > Thank you all so much for your recent support and kindness. It has meant so much to me. > > Is anyone else anxious about the Holiday parties. Tonight is the first of 4 this week for me. I love to see my friends and be with family but I tend to relieve the stress of social events using food. So I am more than a little anxious. I really need to take care of my body in a healthy way right now (always, but more right now because I have been in a downward spiral in terms of eating in a healthy way). > > So anyway, I knew that many of you would understand and just needed to tell someone how anxious I am and how determined I am to choose to be good to myself at each of these events. Tonight I am trying to take with me some self compassion and a big dose of wise woman. I am planning on tapping on wise woman after dinner to help me deal with my anxiety and get through that hour or so after eating that is always hardest for me. I wanted to go with a plan about what I would eat and not eat so that I could eliminate some of the stress but I have waited to long and I do not know what there will be there - I am praying for healthy choices that will make ot easier for me, I thought about eating before going so I could just enjoy the company of others but my husband does not like it when I do that and I hate to stand out. It seems when I am not eating everyone wants to comment. So I am going to choose a healthy portion of whatever is and then just > be done. > > Do you any of you use food to deal with the stress of the holidays and those gatherings. How do you prepare to choose healthy eating when you go? > > Livingston > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 ((())) It sounds like a job for the good old re-do/pre-do. Do you know how you want to feel at the end of the evening? Do you want to feel relaxed? Content? Happy? Heck, go all out and reach for joyful! Satisfied? sometimes mentions detached--at first the word didn't really work for me, but for the next few weeks (with lots of visiting relatives) it's going to be my mantra.... Once you know the feeling you're going for, you can start building the mental movie. I spent a year or two at my lowest weight doing the " weird around food " thing. Eating before events. Not eating at events. Being so stressed out at the thought of my blood sugar level dropping as the minutes ticked by, and why can't we just go now so I can get MY food and don't these people know how to serve something that wasn't cooked beyond recognition and/or coated with mayo.... I would spend hours--days--before worried about what the menu would be. What IOWL has done for me is to move the focus from what's on the table to who's around the table. Sounds like you already have a plan for how you wan't to interact after dinner. What about during the meal? Maybe you'll meet someone new and have a fun conversation. Maybe you'll see an old friend and get caught up? One thing I've learned is that if I find myself sitting at the table staring at the food thinking of seconds (or thirds), it helps to take that as a reminder to tune in to the conversation. I really like your plan of choosing a healthy serving of whatever is there. Even if nothing really qualifies as " healthy " , you can choose an amount that will be satisfying, and give you the fuel you need to get through the evening. You might even set your intent for your body to accept this as the best possible choice at the moment, and to easily and efficiently process it according to your current needs, or something like that. In the days before and after, you can make sure your body has plenty of nutrient-dense foods. This will also help you to be functioning optimally going into these social situations. OK, I've gone on long enough, I think. Just remember that we're all behind you, sending out strength and positive energy. Sent from my iPod > Thank you all so much for your recent support and kindness. It has meant so much to me. > > Is anyone else anxious about the Holiday parties. Tonight is the first of 4 this week for me. I love to see my friends and be with family but I tend to relieve the stress of social events using food. So I am more than a little anxious. I really need to take care of my body in a healthy way right now (always, but more right now because I have been in a downward spiral in terms of eating in a healthy way). > > So anyway, I knew that many of you would understand and just needed to tell someone how anxious I am and how determined I am to choose to be good to myself at each of these events. Tonight I am trying to take with me some self compassion and a big dose of wise woman. I am planning on tapping on wise woman after dinner to help me deal with my anxiety and get through that hour or so after eating that is always hardest for me. I wanted to go with a plan about what I would eat and not eat so that I could eliminate some of the stress but I have waited to long and I do not know what there will be there - I am praying for healthy choices that will make ot easier for me, I thought about eating before going so I could just enjoy the company of others but my husband does not like it when I do that and I hate to stand out. It seems when I am not eating everyone wants to comment. So I am going to choose a healthy portion of whatever is and then just > be done. > > Do you any of you use food to deal with the stress of the holidays and those gatherings. How do you prepare to choose healthy eating when you go? > > Livingston > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2011 Report Share Posted December 18, 2011 Hi , I second that having a healthy portion of what is available sounds like a good plan. You're accepting the situation as it is (knowing that there will be unhealthy and tempting foods) and dealing with it in a way that allows you to enjoy yourself without going overboard. Have you also thought about planning the rest of your meals on party days? If you have a solid plan for eating healthy meals, it's possible you'll feel ok about eating whats on offer at holiday parties, and be confident about getting back into healthy habits the day after the party. I know for me, having a plan makes all the difference in the world. Good luck! ________________________________ To: " insideoutweightloss " <insideoutweightloss > Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 5:01 AM Subject: Re: Christmas Parties ((())) It sounds like a job for the good old re-do/pre-do. Do you know how you want to feel at the end of the evening? Do you want to feel relaxed? Content? Happy? Heck, go all out and reach for joyful! Satisfied? sometimes mentions detached--at first the word didn't really work for me, but for the next few weeks (with lots of visiting relatives) it's going to be my mantra.... Once you know the feeling you're going for, you can start building the mental movie. I spent a year or two at my lowest weight doing the " weird around food " thing. Eating before events. Not eating at events. Being so stressed out at the thought of my blood sugar level dropping as the minutes ticked by, and why can't we just go now so I can get MY food and don't these people know how to serve something that wasn't cooked beyond recognition and/or coated with mayo.... I would spend hours--days--before worried about what the menu would be. What IOWL has done for me is to move the focus from what's on the table to who's around the table. Sounds like you already have a plan for how you wan't to interact after dinner. What about during the meal? Maybe you'll meet someone new and have a fun conversation. Maybe you'll see an old friend and get caught up? One thing I've learned is that if I find myself sitting at the table staring at the food thinking of seconds (or thirds), it helps to take that as a reminder to tune in to the conversation. I really like your plan of choosing a healthy serving of whatever is there. Even if nothing really qualifies as " healthy " , you can choose an amount that will be satisfying, and give you the fuel you need to get through the evening. You might even set your intent for your body to accept this as the best possible choice at the moment, and to easily and efficiently process it according to your current needs, or something like that. In the days before and after, you can make sure your body has plenty of nutrient-dense foods. This will also help you to be functioning optimally going into these social situations. OK, I've gone on long enough, I think. Just remember that we're all behind you, sending out strength and positive energy. Sent from my iPod > Thank you all so much for your recent support and kindness. It has meant so much to me. > > Is anyone else anxious about the Holiday parties. Tonight is the first of 4 this week for me. I love to see my friends and be with family but I tend to relieve the stress of social events using food. So I am more than a little anxious. I really need to take care of my body in a healthy way right now (always, but more right now because I have been in a downward spiral in terms of eating in a healthy way). > > So anyway, I knew that many of you would understand and just needed to tell someone how anxious I am and how determined I am to choose to be good to myself at each of these events. Tonight I am trying to take with me some self compassion and a big dose of wise woman. I am planning on tapping on wise woman after dinner to help me deal with my anxiety and get through that hour or so after eating that is always hardest for me. I wanted to go with a plan about what I would eat and not eat so that I could eliminate some of the stress but I have waited to long and I do not know what there will be there - I am praying for healthy choices that will make ot easier for me, I thought about eating before going so I could just enjoy the company of others but my husband does not like it when I do that and I hate to stand out. It seems when I am not eating everyone wants to comment. So I am going to choose a healthy portion of whatever is and then just > be done. > > Do you any of you use food to deal with the stress of the holidays and those gatherings. How do you prepare to choose healthy eating when you go? > > Livingston > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2011 Report Share Posted December 18, 2011 You guys hit the nail on the head. I always like to have a healthy " something " before I go to a party because there is a huge difference between dinner and a bunch of random, mismatching appetizers. I like to have myself a chicken breast and a salad before I go an then it's okay to have a couple treats or as I always say, I'm saving myself for dessert. And I always make sure to bring an appy that I like and that is super healthy. (hummus, veggie platter, a healthy-ish dessert. Always go prepared! Good luck, have fun, and relax! Sending good vibes to you... Sent from my iPhone > Hi , > > I second that having a healthy portion of what is available sounds like a good plan. You're accepting the situation as it is (knowing that there will be unhealthy and tempting foods) and dealing with it in a way that allows you to enjoy yourself without going overboard. Have you also thought about planning the rest of your meals on party days? If you have a solid plan for eating healthy meals, it's possible you'll feel ok about eating whats on offer at holiday parties, and be confident about getting back into healthy habits the day after the party. I know for me, having a plan makes all the difference in the world. > > Good luck! > > > ________________________________ > > To: " insideoutweightloss " <insideoutweightloss > > Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 5:01 AM > Subject: Re: Christmas Parties > > ((())) > > It sounds like a job for the good old re-do/pre-do. > > Do you know how you want to feel at the end of the evening? Do you want to feel relaxed? Content? Happy? Heck, go all out and reach for joyful! Satisfied? sometimes mentions detached--at first the word didn't really work for me, but for the next few weeks (with lots of visiting relatives) it's going to be my mantra.... > > Once you know the feeling you're going for, you can start building the mental movie. > > I spent a year or two at my lowest weight doing the " weird around food " thing. Eating before events. Not eating at events. Being so stressed out at the thought of my blood sugar level dropping as the minutes ticked by, and why can't we just go now so I can get MY food and don't these people know how to serve something that wasn't cooked beyond recognition and/or coated with mayo.... I would spend hours--days--before worried about what the menu would be. > > What IOWL has done for me is to move the focus from what's on the table to who's around the table. > > Sounds like you already have a plan for how you wan't to interact after dinner. What about during the meal? Maybe you'll meet someone new and have a fun conversation. Maybe you'll see an old friend and get caught up? > > One thing I've learned is that if I find myself sitting at the table staring at the food thinking of seconds (or thirds), it helps to take that as a reminder to tune in to the conversation. > > I really like your plan of choosing a healthy serving of whatever is there. Even if nothing really qualifies as " healthy " , you can choose an amount that will be satisfying, and give you the fuel you need to get through the evening. You might even set your intent for your body to accept this as the best possible choice at the moment, and to easily and efficiently process it according to your current needs, or something like that. In the days before and after, you can make sure your body has plenty of nutrient-dense foods. This will also help you to be functioning optimally going into these social situations. > > OK, I've gone on long enough, I think. Just remember that we're all behind you, sending out strength and positive energy. > > > > Sent from my iPod > > > > > Thank you all so much for your recent support and kindness. It has meant so much to me. > > > > Is anyone else anxious about the Holiday parties. Tonight is the first of 4 this week for me. I love to see my friends and be with family but I tend to relieve the stress of social events using food. So I am more than a little anxious. I really need to take care of my body in a healthy way right now (always, but more right now because I have been in a downward spiral in terms of eating in a healthy way). > > > > So anyway, I knew that many of you would understand and just needed to tell someone how anxious I am and how determined I am to choose to be good to myself at each of these events. Tonight I am trying to take with me some self compassion and a big dose of wise woman. I am planning on tapping on wise woman after dinner to help me deal with my anxiety and get through that hour or so after eating that is always hardest for me. I wanted to go with a plan about what I would eat and not eat so that I could eliminate some of the stress but I have waited to long and I do not know what there will be there - I am praying for healthy choices that will make ot easier for me, I thought about eating before going so I could just enjoy the company of others but my husband does not like it when I do that and I hate to stand out. It seems when I am not eating everyone wants to comment. So I am going to choose a healthy portion of whatever is and then just > > be done. > > > > Do you any of you use food to deal with the stress of the holidays and those gatherings. How do you prepare to choose healthy eating when you go? > > > > Livingston > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2011 Report Share Posted December 18, 2011 , I just had to chuckle at your last line... I bet pretty much all of us have struggled with stress eating at one time or another! And the holidays can be really tough. I get what you're saying about people commenting on what you are or are not eating. I am a vegetarian and get that all the time. It gets really old especially since I wouldn't dream of making snide remarks about carnivores! At least, not to their faces!! =) Also, I don't drink and people tend to push the alcohol. The advice I try to follow is to stay true to myself, keep a sparkling water in one hand, a little plate of the best choice I can make in the other and remember what Dr. Phil said.. " you wouldn't worry so much about what other people think about you if you knew how seldom they did! " You are going to do great! Patti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2011 Report Share Posted December 18, 2011 You sent your email to gain strength before heading into a difficult situation. But in the end, it was me who was strengthened. I also hit the first of my christmas parties tonight. Remember that my difficulty is that I'm supposed to be keeping myself gluten free, and the party was a cookie swap! I tried to excuse myself, but my friend would hear none of that. So I took some of the advice from the responses that you received, did the pre-do, took what could end up being the only gluten free food at the party, and vowed to keep water in my hand at all times. I thought about how I wanted to feel at the end of the evening. I'm so glad that I went, I had a wonderful time and got to know some wonderful people. My gluten free entry took first prize- I have been crowned Cookie Queen 2011. I wound up staying for dinner and a movie after the cookie swap was over. I didn't cheat my health, and feel relaxed and well. Thank you for posting-this thread has been very timely and strengthening. a Sawyer Patti Westbrook wrote: >, > >I just had to chuckle at your last line... I bet pretty much all of us have >struggled with stress eating at one time or another! And the holidays can >be really tough. > >I get what you're saying about people commenting on what you are or are not >eating. I am a vegetarian and get that all the time. It gets really old >especially since I wouldn't dream of making snide remarks about >carnivores! At least, not to their faces!! =) Also, I don't drink and >people tend to push the alcohol. > >The advice I try to follow is to stay true to myself, keep a sparkling >water in one hand, a little plate of the best choice I can make in the >other and remember what Dr. Phil said.. " you wouldn't worry so much about >what other people think about you if you knew how seldom they did! " > >You are going to do great! > >Patti > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 Yea a!   Livingston ________________________________ To: insideoutweightloss Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 11:55 PM Subject: Re: Christmas Parties  You sent your email to gain strength before heading into a difficult situation. But in the end, it was me who was strengthened. I also hit the first of my christmas parties tonight. Remember that my difficulty is that I'm supposed to be keeping myself gluten free, and the party was a cookie swap! I tried to excuse myself, but my friend would hear none of that. So I took some of the advice from the responses that you received, did the pre-do, took what could end up being the only gluten free food at the party, and vowed to keep water in my hand at all times. I thought about how I wanted to feel at the end of the evening. I'm so glad that I went, I had a wonderful time and got to know some wonderful people. My gluten free entry took first prize- I have been crowned Cookie Queen 2011. I wound up staying for dinner and a movie after the cookie swap was over. I didn't cheat my health, and feel relaxed and well. Thank you for posting-this thread has been very timely and strengthening. a Sawyer Patti Westbrook wrote: >, > >I just had to chuckle at your last line... I bet pretty much all of us have >struggled with stress eating at one time or another! And the holidays can >be really tough. > >I get what you're saying about people commenting on what you are or are not >eating. I am a vegetarian and get that all the time. It gets really old >especially since I wouldn't dream of making snide remarks about >carnivores! At least, not to their faces!! =) Also, I don't drink and >people tend to push the alcohol. > >The advice I try to follow is to stay true to myself, keep a sparkling >water in one hand, a little plate of the best choice I can make in the >other and remember what Dr. Phil said.. " you wouldn't worry so much about >what other people think about you if you knew how seldom they did! " > >You are going to do great! > >Patti > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Very cool, a!! >________________________________ > >To: insideoutweightloss >Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 7:55 AM >Subject: Re: Christmas Parties > > > >You sent your email to gain strength before heading into a difficult situation. But in the end, it was me who was strengthened. I also hit the first of my christmas parties tonight. Remember that my difficulty is that I'm supposed to be keeping myself gluten free, and the party was a cookie swap! I tried to excuse myself, but my friend would hear none of that. So I took some of the advice from the responses that you received, did the pre-do, took what could end up being the only gluten free food at the party, and vowed to keep water in my hand at all times. I thought about how I wanted to feel at the end of the evening. I'm so glad that I went, I had a wonderful time and got to know some wonderful people. My gluten free entry took first prize- I have been crowned Cookie Queen 2011. I wound up staying for dinner and a movie after the cookie swap was over. I didn't cheat my health, and feel relaxed and well. Thank you for posting-this thread has been very timely and strengthening. >a Sawyer > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.