Enjoying a holiday weekend without derailing your diet - Northern Michigan's News Leader

By Lisa Spodak (ResultsNotTypical@worldnow.com)
Provided by WorldNow

Week 66 Weigh In:

Change this week:  -2 lbs
Change overall:  -87.5 lbs

I started the morning feeling a little bit disappointed and discouraged.  After gaining three and a half pounds last week, I was hoping for a more significant loss to make up for it.  Every other time I've gained, I've had a pretty big loss the week after, but not this week.  It felt like it meant that last week was a "real" gain, not just water weight like I'd reasoned to myself.

I had great plans for this past week and strong goals, but I didn't meet them - I didn't hide my scale, I didn't track every day faithfully,  I didn't get myself to the gym as much as I should have.  I didn't even manage to have the cheeseburger I'd promised myself!

But then I took a deep breath and focused on the fact that I was really great and on-track for the past two days and I had, in the end, lost two pounds... and any week where I lose weight or stay the same is a victory!  So I'm motivated again and ready to make this week even better. 

This week, which has a holiday weekend in it.

I'm actually looking forward to taking advantage of this weekend to jump-start my efforts again a little - especially in the exercise realm.  My weekend is looking blissfully unplanned, with many of my friends going out of town, so I'm excited about the prospect of logging lots of quality time in the gym and walking around the city. 

The one exception and possible challenge - a Memorial Day barbecue on Sunday.

 Here are my thoughts/tips on getting through a barbecue unscathed:

• Don't go hungry! Eat a good meal before the party so you're not starving when you get there and more likely to eat out of hunger instead of deliberate choice.
• Bring a big water bottle. I find sometimes I'm carrying around food just to have something in my hands and something to do - having a water bottle handy will fill that need and also help you drink more water!
• A lot of folks will ask guests to bring a dish along to a barbecue. Even if they don't, offer. That way you have control over at least one thing there and can make sure it's a healthy one. (I'm taking deviled eggs this weekend, which I make with mustard and just a small amount of reduced-fat mayo for a relatively healthy snack).
• Don't position yourself near the food table! Accessibility can lead to excess - remove yourself physically from spots that will lead to mindless grazing.
• Remember that grilling is one on the healthiest ways to prepare food; just talk to the grill-master before the cooking starts and see if you can snag your meal before it's been treated to too much marinade or other dressings.
• Stay away from prepared salads like macaroni salad, coleslaw and potato salad.
• Pick one dessert or treat and indulge in a small serving - it is a holiday after all!