Im going to a wedding reception on Saturday and its the first time Ive had a meal out since starting my diet.

Ive promised myself 2 small glasses of wine for a treat

Im really going to enjoy what I have, but of course Ive no idea what the food will be. Im going to try and stick to the healthy options with a little of the naughty stuff. This plan may go out of the window! Part of me thinks one day off wont do any harm as long as I enjoy what I have and stop when Ive had enough.

What do you do? Let yourself have a day off the diet? Try to do things in moderation or just pass on things you know you shouldnt have.

Hey Sara - wedding receptions are always fun! I would just try to have a good time and not fuss too much over everything. If there is a choice between chicken or pot roast, pick the chicken. Just make wise choices, eat in moderation, and if all else fails...you have a perfect place to DANCE IT ALL OFF!!

Don't go hungry! Have a healthy breakfast or lunch before you go, so you aren't trying to fill a huge void.
Don't beat yourself up if you take a piece of wedding cake - have a bite or two, then throw away your plate, and go think about something else.

I've done a couple of social occasions recently. Usually I make a point to eat well, but light, up until I leave. As close to the party as possibly I make myself a protein shake. For me, this curbs the hunger so I don't grab things without thinking. Then I make reasonable choices. I've been lucky in that the most recent things have been self serve. I've skipped the dessert course completely because I don't think I'm capable of only taking a bite, but that's just me.

Thanks everyone!

Luckily my friend is a vegetarian so I expect there will be lots of vege food, although I know thats not always the healthier option! Hopefully there will be lots of salads as Im quite sure they are having a buffet

I am looking forward to getting all dressed up!

I just went to a graduation party and I ate 1 plate of food and when it came to the cake I had a piece. Luckily for me my boyfriend was there as well and I took 2 bites of the cake and gave the rest to him. So I was able to enjoy it and still maintain control.

Nowadays I take days off from time to time, but I find it is harder for me to get back on plan than I'd like. I think it can be risky.

When I was losing, I didn't really take days off from tracking what I was eating.

I would eat before I go somewhere, so I'm not too hungry.

And then, even if I don't know exactly what I'll be eating, I make a plan. If you want wine, that's great! But make a plan for how to avoid the dessert, or the bread (at a restaurant). If it's a buffet, make a plan to only go up ONCE, and to only pick a handful of items to try.

I try to avoid the mindless eating, so if I plan for some wine or something like that, I'm fine... but it really does help me to have some kind of plan. And to eat first!

It went very well. I had a small glass and half of wine and a very small piece of cake with coffee.

Main food I had salad, a little feta, vegetable chilli and a little bit of salmon. I did go back once but only took some of the salad.

And I ate something light as brunch earlier so Im within my calories for the day as well.

That's terrific! I consider evenings like that a success if I feel mindful of what I'm eating and don't stray far from my "plan" and afterward can recall everything I ate or drank. Good job!

I always do best in social settings.. Because i don't like to eat in front of everyone! So i guess i am lucky there in a way.

But definitely take a day off and enjoy. You have to make your eating habits a way of life, not torture. The new habits will stick if they are realistic, if they aren't they may not.

But that is just my opinion.

Also, they say that having a cheat day now and then actually helps your metabolism because you eat more calories for the one day and the next less so it gives a boost, but only if you just do that now n then.. not all the time.

Good luck.

I actually do take days off from my more controlled eating, but my problem is that those days can become weeks... and faster than you can imagine.

So, I'm careful about letting myself go off plan, if I can help it!