5 Keys to Staying on Your Eating Program at a Party

There's another "party season" about to be upon us. We all know to think of that time from Thanksgiving to New Years Day as "party season." Well, as the weather warms and the barbeque grills begin to fire up it's good to think of the summer as "party season" also. If you prepare and have awareness, you can get through this time with your waist and weight in good standing. Here are some keys to maintaining your porgram during the summer party season:

1. Plan ahead. If you don't have self control or if you know they're serving food you don't want, eat before you go. You won't be as hungry and you'll be inclined to eat less.
2. Drink lots of water. The water will be filling and you'll fell less hungry.
3. Take small amounts of food. Take smaller than usual amounts of food as buffets are the order of the day at most picnics and backyard barbeques. There is usually loads of different foods. Take a little of the things you want. Your plate will fill up faster than you think. Most people end up with more than they really want but are too polite to put it back or leave it on their plate.
4. Step away from the buffet table. Don't hangout near the food. A little picking here and a little there and before you know it, you've consumed 1,000 more calories that you thought. Go to another room or to the other side of the deck and talk to someone. Meet someone whom you don't know.
5. Don't be obnoxious about what you're not eating. No one likes a "pain in the ass" food critic or dieter at their party. Quietly select what you want and be a gracious guest.

Since you know that this is a dangerous eating season, plan on being successful. And most of all, enjoy yourself. Remember, food isn't the reward. Getting to walk around in a great body all summer long is the reward.

John Hudome, DCH

"Workout and eat as if your life depended on it."