I'm hoping someone can relate and give me ways to deal....

So I have a getaway weekend planned with friends and find myself getting anxious over being "normal". I still need to lose weight so I'm very dedicated to counting calories. It just helps me be accountable and it's not like preband when I would count calories and would be so hungry that I would eat every last one and be sad if I had none left.

Now I rarely go over my set amount and am not ever hungry. The anxiety comes into play when I think about going out this weekend with friends. I want to enjoy a glass or two of wine, a few bites of a cheese laden appetizer, and a meal covered in a rich sauce. I don't want to analyze the menu looking for my best calorie options.

So how do I relax and just let the band be in control at least for the weekend. I know I'll still log the calories (I've signed into MFP over 270 days lol) but I want to be able to deal with being over my calorie range and not feel bad about it. Any advice??

Just do it!

I do the same thing when I am on vacation, I try to keep hydrated, listen to my band and only eat when others are eating. No junk Snacks laying around. You may find yourself putting on a couple of pounds, but that is the higher sodium content on restaurant foods and will come off in a couple of days. My last vacation week, I actually lost a pound AND 5 more as the excess sodium flushed from my system.

Enjoy Tara

It's very hard!! When you've trained yourself to stick to a certain way of eating it can be very hard to give yourself permission to deviate from it.

Here is how I come to terms with it: I would need to eat an extra 3500 calories to gain a pound. And, that's 3500 above what I'd need to maintain which is less than I normally eat anyway. So realistically, I'd need to increase my calories by over 4000 to gain a pound.

That's not happening lol. I still track my calories when I'm having a weekend like you describe and even with a margarita here and a cheesy appetizer there, I never come anywhere close to gaining.

Just remember, a lot of the food you'll encounter will be a lot higher sodium than you're used to. Don't be surprised and don't freak if the scale jumps just because of the Water retention alone. Water weight comes back off pretty quickly once you go back to reduced sodium and drink lots of water.

Go enjoy your weekend. Think moderation not deprivation

terry t and miss said it great with their comments

the only thing i can say is, if you enjoy your weekend (and so what if you over do it once or twice, food and life is meant to be enjoyed/lived), get right back on it and basically do the best you can where ever you are by making good choices (or best you can)...but eating this weekend wont make you gain a zillion pounds...heck girl, just go and have a good time.....you are mentally in this game and you will do and BE fine....

take pictures

Life doesn't stop because you have the band. If you are going out to dinner eat what you want. Why feel guilty? Life is too short not to enjoy things that you want. Its not like you will be doing this daily. Enjoy your friends and eat the food.

I'm hoping someone can relate and give me ways to deal....

So I have a getaway weekend planned with friends and find myself getting anxious over being "normal". I still need to lose weight so I'm very dedicated to counting calories. It just helps me be accountable and it's not like preband when I would count calories and would be so hungry that I would eat every last one and be sad if I had none left.

Now I rarely go over my set amount and am not ever hungry. The anxiety comes into play when I think about going out this weekend with friends. I want to enjoy a glass or two of wine, a few bites of a cheese laden appetizer, and a meal covered in a rich sauce. I don't want to analyze the menu looking for my best calorie options.

So how do I relax and just let the band be in control at least for the weekend. I know I'll still log the calories (I've signed into MFP over 270 days lol) but I want to be able to deal with being over my calorie range and not feel bad about it. Any advice??

Enjoy your weekend! Occasional treats don't sabotage weight loss, it's the everyday sabotage that hurts. I've found that whenever I take a splurge I see the scale go down, sometimes it shakes up a stall.

Thanks everyone. I was really surprised at how I was feeling. I've been out to dinner before but maybe the fact I'll be away from home the whole weekend was getting to me. It's funny how thoughts can creep in and become the focus of your day.

I totally agree with all the comments, enjoy yourself, and don't stress it out!

You might surprise yourself here! I am finding that it is easier and easier in these situations because most of the time I can indulge within reason and still stay on track. Maybe your goal for the weekend will be to maintain and not lose, that would give you a few more calories of wiggle room for a drink or two. Maybe you can squeeze in a long walk with friends or maybe dance at a bar and burn some calories that way. Either way we are all human and I'm sure it will be fine. Anxiety over these situations really sucks, I know because I am right there with you and sometimes even have to take a "chill pill" because I'm so nervous which is ridiculous....life is short, enjoy yourself then reassess afterwards and move on.

Girl, just go for it! Don't worry about calories, just enjoy yourself. You're not likely to overdo it anyway, so don't stress. And if you do overdo it...the band is forgiving and the pound or two you might gain will be gone in a couple of days - at the most. You deserve it, let your hair down and just enjoy being with friends.

For me, I really had to stop thinking of it as cheating. That was something I did when I dieted.

Now, I think of it as treating. And after the hard work that we put in, you definitely deserve it.

Most of us do this so we can enjoy life more moving forward. Treat yourself this weekend, and enjoy being out.

~David.

Drink more than two glasses of wine and you won't give a *&^$#@

Drink more than two glasses of wine and you won't give a *&^$#@

you are just rotten sometimes

For me' date=' I really had to stop thinking of it as cheating. That was something I did when I dieted.

Now, I think of it as treating. And after the hard work that we put in, you definitely deserve it.

Most of us do this so we can enjoy life more moving forward. Treat yourself this weekend, and enjoy being out.

~David.[/quote']

Very well said!

you are just rotten sometimes

I've noticed TMF is a bit rotten at times but he also gives good advice.

I've noticed TMF is a bit rotten at times but he also gives good advice.

yes (dan) is awesome. he was one of the first people who said

hey to me when i joined this forum last year and has encouraged me and been super nice.....very nice man.......he a bit cray cray but maybe why i likes him