When is the hardest time to stick to an eating plan? It's when you're in the presence of other people. We love food, it's hardwired into our DNA and we love food that much more when comapny is around. The saying - "The food is only as good as the company", strikes a sure note in relaying that truth. Think about it. At Thanksgiving are you really going to watch what you're eating? Are you going to watch what you're eating when, say, others aren't watching? Of course not - especially when all the good smells, and the lovely sights further empower a person's need to gorge. Okay, okay, bad example - everyone is expected to eat a little more during the holidays, but what about those family picnics, or mandatory lunch meetings that your boss expects you to go to? Seriously, can anyone say no to good food then? Some might, but most of us will falter - it's a part of our human nature. But, that doesn't give us the excuse.
An office party in full swing.
So how do we battle this nemisis, this need to belong by eating - it indeed does have the upper hand: people expect us to eat, to enjoy, to use an expression - "live alittle".
It isn't a tricky science, in fact it's quite simple. The only REAL ingredient to this whole debacle is planning.
Plan your meals out a week in advance. If you know what you're eating ahead of time you're less likely to look for food when you're hungry. A way to do this: First, figure out your calories. Many people don't realize how much food their bodies need in terms of calories. You can find out by utilizing the
Harris/Benedict formula:
For ladies use: 655 + (9.6 X weight in kilos) + (1.8 X height in cm) - (4.7 X age in years)
For men use: 66 + (13.7 X weight in kilos) + (5 X height in cm) - (6.8 X age in years)
This will give you your resting metabolic rate (RMR) - which means what you're body is burning when you're sleeping/eating/or using the facilities. Basically when you aren't doing any physical activity. After this you'll have to figure out how many calories your burning during exercise. We'll discuss that later. For now, use the RMR as your base calories.
From here figure out what foods to eat. Again, we'll discuss this later since there are a whole host of options to consider (pre/during/post workout considerations, thermogenics of particular foods etc..). Once a solid list is developed, build a meal plan for the meals throughout the day - breakfast/lunch/dinner and snacks. Spend a day during the weekend to cook the food, build it and then store it in - you guessed it, Tupperware containers!
A temptation squasher.
So the next time you're at a social function that you know will provide some temptations, tag along you're tupperware container and if anyone asks you, what you're doing - just tell them the truth.
"I'm just trying to watch my weight."
They'll walk away with new found respect. They might find you a little odd, but when you hit your target weightloss goal, they'll understand why. They might even ask for a few tips. When they do, just give them some Tupperware containers :).
Good luck everyone!
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