[matt_H]

Every month I organize a meetup thing for an online community that I'm involved with. The past meetups have been a big challenge. The combination of free high calorie foods, good beer, and being in a social environment has often meant going overboard for me.

The bar we are going to tonight is one of my favorite places too.

My plan is to get there early and order something off the menu that is a better choice. I don't want to drink and hopefully will stick to my plan of just having some diet cokes. If I order food I won't feel so bad about not drinking (the owners are nice people and my friends and I feel like a jerk to have them give us free stuff and at least not help them get some of their money back).

There will most likely be 20-30 of us there tonight. Hopefully I'll be able to report that I was successful.

[Eliana]

I think it's a terrific idea to not only have a plan, but to put your plan in black and white and open it to the public! Now that's what I call accountability!

Your plan sounds like a good one! It's realistic for life, I think.

[Beverlyjoy]

Matt - having a plan of how you will handle all the food and drinks is a good idea

Don't worry about you not spending any money for your kind friend/owners. There will be enough other people to spend lots of money!

Remember we often and repeatedly are faced with these food occaisions - between weekends, holidays, celebrations, specail events meetings - so it's so good that you have a strategy.

Can you check online to see what they serve? That way you can decide in advance what food you want. Although - sounds like you've been there before.

Have a good time tonight.

[Tai]

Good luck Matt!

[TJFitnessDiva]

You have a good plan there, Matt.....you can do it!!

[Michelle98272]

Sounds like you have a great plan! I think any time you hit a social event with some sort of a plan you've been successful. I used to way overeat like crazy with 'free' food. It was like I was some starving person that would take advantage of the excess. It is embarrassing now to think of me at 275, first one at the buffet line, mouth watering!! *blush*

This past weekend, I went to a friends party. She is a fabulous cook and I knew the liquor and beer would be flowing freely. I planned to eat only what looked the most delicious, make it really worth it and drink in moderation. (In the past I was as out of control with my alcohol as I was with my food.) After seeing 248 last week, my off plan evening set me back 2 lbs. I'm still not back at 248 even after reducing my calories, drinking lots of green tea (usually works like a champ to get the water bloat taken care of). I know I didn't eat 7000 calories in excess so I am assuming it is the sodium still. *shrug*

I think your plan sounds more sensible than a planned off plan mini-free for all. If I could go back to this past Saturday, I'd eat a HUGE salad before I went, bring Coke Zero and have just a taste of the really good stuff. I'd still probably eat the whole yummy cupcake I had though.

Good luck, Matt. Let us know how it went.

[kendra]

Good Job on having a plan in place. Good Luck!

[matt_H]

Not all plans work out.

However, I'm feeling positive about many things right now. I'm in a better mood than I have been and today is a new day

[cfmama]

Today IS a new day. And one that I know you will take total advantage of. I'm struggling too my friend... it happens.