This 3 part attack is designed to keep us – and everyone around us – in check. So we can avoid overeating at parties and eat healthfully in peace.
Overeating at parties happens.
Actually, it doesn’t just happen. It’s basically a guarantee for most of us. When we’re around lots and lots of good food, and lots and lots of good people,
Why? Because our bodies deserve to be healthy. We should feel great after we eat, instead of uncomfortable and bloated.
We CAN do better. We WILL do better! If this is war, we are now prepared and will WIN every battle at every party.
Avoid Overeating at Parties: The Attack Plan
Attack #1: PLAN AHEAD
Doesn’t have to be a pen to paper kind of plan. We for sure aren’t talking about a 5 minute journaling session where you get out all your feelings about food.
This is a quick mental review of what you’ll want to eat and how much you’ll eat before you step in the room or walk in the door.
It might go like this: Jess is making coquito, and I’m going to want that. My cousin is making the mac and cheese and she can THROW DOWN. I’m going to want that too. And I think someone is bringing a sweet potato pie and those chocolate cookie things, I’m going to definitely want all of that.
Then you’ll do this: Ok, so I’ll make sure I get the mac and cheese. I just won’t have any potatoes or rice with the rest of my plate – everything else will be protein and vegetables (if they have any vegetables). I’ll only have one glass of the coquito, and find another cocktail for the rest of the night. And if they have the pie AND the chocolate cookies, I’ll have both but I’ll make sure it’s a small slice of pie and only one cookie.
Is this perfect? No.
Is it better than winging it? HELL YEA.
Anytime you walk in with a plan, you’re way ahead of the version of yourself who doesn’t have a plan. Once you’ve told yourself you’re going to make certain choices, you’re much more likely to stick to those plans.
Attack #2: Speak Up for Yourself
It’s so easy to get pushed into having another plate. Taking another slice. Getting poured a refill when you run to the bathroom.
It’s always more fun (and wayyyy easier) to eat and drink when everyone around you is eating a drinking just as much. Family and friends have a good (by good, I mean bad) way of pushing us into eating and drinking more when we have the best intentions for ourselves and try to say no.
The only way to get around this is by speaking up.
Practice saying no in the mirror, rehearse it on the car ride over. Find a buddy and tell them that you’re limiting yourself to XYZ so they can do some intercepting for you and support you when the offers get aggressive. It might sound a little dumb, but refer to attack #1. When we come prepared, we’re more likely to win. So prepare yourself for the offers by practicing saying no.
Attack #3: If All Else Fails – LIE!
Lie like you mean it. Lie like your health depends on it.
Here are some great lies you can try out. If you like them, use them. And if I was at that party, I’d back you up in this lie…cause I see what you’re doing here:
- My doctor/dietitian wants me to stop eating XYZ (dairy, meat, sugar, butter, fat) for a month.
- I haven’t been feeling right after I eat XYZ lately or last time I ate XYZ I got sick and I just can’t anymore.
- I just started feeling a little sick to my stomach. It could be that thing my coworker had yesterday.
You’re lying for you health, people!
This is a good cause. If folks won’t listen to reason, are too stubborn to allow you to refuse with your first 2 attacks, then you’ve got to take some extreme measures. Whatever they need to hear to get them to back off and save you your sanity (or health, or weight…) is worth it in these moments.
Indulgent eating can be a snowball effect. We cut a couple corners today, so the same corners we cut tomorrow seem normal. If we keep shaving down the corners, there’s not a whole lot of room left for healthy to hold on to.
Do whatever needs to be done. Stay healthy, out there.