Controlling eating during the Holidays bbq's / feasts

Triathlon Forum
1

So it starts…

This weekend I was invited to 3 barbeques on each day on Sat / Sun / Mon. After the Sunday one, I just told my wife I wasn’t going to the Monday bbq as I had enough crap food for the weekend. I know its going to ruffle some feathers but I’m not sure how people go to these without consuming massive calories. I know there are some people there that can go to these and bring thier own salad or rice cake and ignore everything else, but I just find not going is the best. Among some of the problems I have are:

  • The guy who offers a beer every 30 seconds, and makes you unconfortable about not drinking
  • Being the one guy who is not doing shots (I always cave on this one)
  • The host who makes a big deal about the fact you’re ‘that guy’ they had to go out and buy water for
  • The healthiest thing served is either Ruffles or Tri Tip, not sure which one.
  • Your weakness food is always there.

To top it off the person who is hosting it today is supposed to be on a diet getting ready for lap band surgery, I’ve brought this up to him (blowing off his diet) and I’ve been somewhat shunned for doing it. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has these issues and I really want to know how people cope with it.

2

Eat before you go for one, then if you don’t feel like drinking yet the guy keeps pushing just say “sorry dude not drinking today”. And if your friends don’t respect your decisions then leave. If they worry about buying water for you, then IMO they are not your friends- plain and simple. Actually sounds like people I would not consider friends at all. Good luck!

3

I starve myself all day until the BBQ so I can eat like a horse, it will probably be the only meal of the day for me.

Drink a beer or two, and enjoy.

Don’t worry about what other people eat(unless they are related), they typically do not understand our lifestyle.

4

I starve myself all day until the BBQ so I can eat like a horse, it will probably be the only meal of the day for me.

Drink a beer or two, and enjoy.

Don’t worry about what other people eat(unless they are related), they typically do not understand our lifestyle.

That’s pretty much what I do. However doing it 3 days in a row wont work, so I cut out the 3rd.

The person who’s getting the lap band is my father in law. Its frustrating because he’s a diabetic and he’s literally eating himself to death. Beer, Cake, Ice Cream, etc. When I pipe up, the family gets pissed.

5

Every December, ST has a 200mi running challenge, I found that helped a lot to keep the weight off… also: cut the booze intake. That’s my weak point (obviously) so I have to run a lot more to compensate (thanks, Time.com!)

AP

6

Well, on the one hand, it sounds like these folks are more of an annoyance for you to be around than not, so if you really don’t want to be there, just don’t go and suck it up if there’s any grief afterwards. Fuck 'em, it’s their problem.

On the other hand, I love eating BBQ and other gastric atrocities, and will happily drink beer/shots all day & night, so I usually look forward to such opportunities (rarely am I presented with the dilemma of 3 in a row like that, however). My strategy is to cut back on such indulgences for a few days before & after, and try to put in some extra workout time to create a little bit of a calorie ‘credit’ and then enjoy eating & drinking more than normal as a bit of payoff. I try to take a bit longer view of it and figure it averages out OK over a week or so. Might be different if it were 52 weekends a year, but a few spread out over the calendar are no big deal.

7

One trick is to alternate adult beverage of choice w/ a large cup of water. Keeps the calories down (by half), and belly and bladder full, so you are somewhat self-limiting by doing this.

I’ll do a shot or 2 if everybody else is (and I’m in the mood for them), but then I put my foot down to having any more.

Why do they have to “buy water”? Don’t they have indoor plumbing?

Rather than blowing off the event, maybe next time arrive late and then leave early. You’ll get credit for having attended, but by limiting the time you are actually there, you have less of all of those potential issues to deal with.

8

Do a 3 hour trainer ride in your basement with a space heater on to “earn” the gorge fest. If that doesn’t work, eat a big healthy meal before hand. If that doesn’t work, ingest a tapeworm. They work.

9

eating just what my body needs seems easy. and changing from my old seafood diet has been hard. you know the one see food eat it. it is slow but i now know eating is half the secret to good rides. i was amazed to learn at 160 lbs. i only need 110 grams of protein. about a 1/4 lb of protein. i have always been a big beef eater and love eggs and bacon for breakfast. but one hamburger is all the protein i need for a whole day. i also love a 16 ounce prime rib. but thats enough for 4 days. so i am in a interesting mental battle. i always thought i ate pretty good. but have learned that was a dream. i have been programed since two years old to love the wrong foods. i also have a riding buddy who was 205 lbs 8years ago. he is now 255 and it is hard for him to ride. i try to get him to lose some of the extra weight. i give him web sites and helpful advise by telling him what i am eating. but i really have my hands tied in that area. and i know it is his choice. but it doesnt have to be mine. i still want to have some good rides. at bbqs i now bring a cooler with some fruit and veggies or a salad. and ive been known to cook my own kabobs or veggies and fruit on the grill. or i ask if the host will throw them on for me. they seem to like that better. then i can eat some meat and indulge in a couple beers. beers are also one of my weaknesses. preparation seems to be my key to success. and it turns out to be a fun game to figure out. but i am still weak.

10

nothing tastes as good as fast feels

Stop being a sissy about other people teasing you about or remarking on your eating habits. They are merely jealous.

11

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has these issues and I really want to know how people cope with it.

What are they teaching kids these days? This is just basic Miss Manners stuff. You seem to not have much experience on the cocktail party circuit. There is an art to not eating and drinking while not being impolite or acting like a duffus. 3 parties in 3 nights is a perfect training ground. Basically, you have to have some of what they are serving but you only have to drink or eat as much as you want. The trick is doing so while leaving your host thinking you had the best time ever and that the food and drink was great. It takes some skill but you need to learn how to nurse a drink, spread your food out on your plate and engage in diversionary chit chat when the host is checking up on you. It also helps to have a multi day calorie plan so you can plan ahead if you think you are going to indulge.

If it tastes good, it is a party after all so be polite to your hosts and have a bit. If doesn’t taste good, just eat enough to be polite then claim you are stuffed and ask for the recipe. As for folks asking if you need a refill, that’s just good manners as long as they are not giving you shit for falling behind some expected pace. If someone asks you if you want another beer, just say “I’m good, thanks.” If folks are not drinking much, you won’t stand out. If everyone is getting trashed, just talk louder and no on will notice you are 8 beers behind. Another trick is to be the one who goes for the next round. If you’re good, no one will notice its the same beer in you hand. Better yet if you are mixing your own. Tonic water looks just like a vodka and tonic so you can hammer all night and still make your 6 am workout.

All that being said, I don’t mind people laying out food and drink for me since generally they are trying to be nice in their own special way but if they are boring or rude I would rather be elsewhere. That’s where you need to work on your exit plan. Never go to a party you think you might not enjoy without an exit plan.

12

I

Beg

To

Differ.

Nothing tastes as good as a 28oz porterhouse for two cooked in a pound of butter with a kick ass bottle of red wine. Except maybe a 3lb fresh caught & boiled Atlantic lobster, eaten on the top deck of the ferry off PEI. Except maybe seared duck breast with a red wine reduction. Except maybe a super crisp gala apple, straight from the fridge. Except maybe a …

I love being fast but I love eating really good food more.

AP

13

Sheesh, I love decadent food as much as the next person, but

“The host who makes a big deal about the fact you’re ‘that guy’ they had to go out and buy water for”

Seriously? Did anyone teach these people manners? Were they raised by wolves? Since when is it gracious for a host to alienate his/her guests and make them feel uncomfortable?

14

WTF is wrong with the tap?

If any of my guests wanted water, that’s what they’d get.

Sorry, but I live in a place where the tap water is amazingly good so I am biased.

EDIT: My bad, but they would have beer and nothing else. Screw the water. Bunch of tea totaling nerds. :wink:

AP

15

I don’t drink. My friends all know that and don’t bother me. Those that do bother me, aren’t close friends so I don’t give a _____ what they think when I tell them no. Those that push people to drink just seem off to me. What pleasure can you get from making others drink??

16

“What pleasure can you get from making others drink??”

Well, there’s the whole increased chances of having sex thing…

17

“What pleasure can you get from making others drink??”

Well, there’s the whole increased chances of having sex thing…

      Note to self: Never accept a beer from kdw!

So, a few tips and tricks:
Take a small plate the first time, and then when you do go back for seconds, take another small plate. I’ve found that the awkward hassle of getting back up will probably keep me from grabbing refills.

Do not, ever, ever, let the bread end up in front of you. During the after-dinner chat, I will eat the whole loaf. Or two. I don’t care. I’ll eat it all.

Grab a party cup or whatever they’re serving beverages in and carry it around with you. If someone offers you a beer, point to the cup and say, “No thanks, I’ve got something to drink.” No lying, not disrespect, no beer.

If someone pushes the booze, simply say, “Nah, I’m looking to shed a pound or two,” or “I’ve gotta drive soon,” or any other white lie. If you can, try to twist it - “Yeah, I’m just gonna make sure everyone gets home safely tonight.”

If they’ve got bad food, eat a small snack before you go - some crackers with hummus, just so you feel a little more full going into it. Also, have some good food on hand at home in case you need snackies to fill you up.

If you know they’re gonna have crappy food, get ahold of the party-thrower ahead of time. Ask if s/he would mind you bringing part of the main entree. I did this at a family christmas party two years in a row, because my sister’s food was always absurdly, brutally hot, and my GF couldn’t eat it. Last year, it actually became a thing were each person brought a small-ish crockpot of their speciality soup to share.

18

Well said…

19

why thanks.