Weight Loss Tip #16: Learn How to Celebrate Properly

It could be someone's birthday party or a holiday meal. Maybe it's an office party or going out with an old friend to dinner. It's often hard to lose weight or maintain a healthy diet because our society's celebrations (major, minor, or in between) are typically so focused on food. And, there's so damn many of them! Remember the poster proclaiming a special event every day as a justification to party? I mean who wouldn't want to binge on Bono's birthday? I know with my family, every time we gather, food becomes a focus, if not the focus; and, it's usually not healthy food! Since parties are not going away (and nor should they), I found the following tips helpful:

I can't control what everyone else does, but I do control myself; so it is up to me to do what is right. In other words, there are no excuses. I enjoy seeing family and friends, so I must develop the willpower and fortitude to eat healthily.

It's not always good to deprive ourselves of food, especially during special times. Thus, I typically view parties with family and friends as a time to be a little less strict with my usual eating patterns. Notice I said less strict, not completely abandon my health values.

I never go crazy at parties and I find little ways to eat healthily or cut calories. For example, instead of a sugary drink, I'll have unsweetened iced tea. I typically will load up on the vegetables or low calorie items (e.g. cocktail shrimp) while eating fewer of the higher calorie items. I will also typically drink coffee after the meal instead of dessert.

I remind myself that being healthy and looking and feeling my best is more important to me than pigging out at a party. Plus, what good is it to go to a party or a dinner with people I love and respect if I don't love and respect myself (or get respect from others)? In other words, I want to be the fit, thin guy at the party, not the fat one; and I eat at parties with that in mind.

If I know I'm going to eat a little bit more later in the day, I will eat less in the morning. Don't skip meals because it lowers metabolism, but go lighter so you'll have more calories to play with later.

On days when I plan to eat more, I work out that day, usually a little more intensely. It often creates a negative or equal calorie to activity ratio which ensures I don't gain weight that day.

Finally and most importantly, a celebration is a celebration because it is not typical. I always make sure I am back to normal the next day or the next meal. It must not become an excuse to start a cycle of binging.

Learning how to celebrate may not be easy, but being fit and thin make any celebration more fun.