With Easter only a week away I'm starting to get very nervous about Easter dinner. I have been calorie counting for 3 months. I am very careful about not eating anything if I don't know the calorie count. This will be the first family get together where there will be homemade foods that I don't know the counts on...EEEEEK! We've had gatherings where I've taken my own foods, I knew we were going to my mom and dads house for pizza so I ook my own low cal version along with broccoli and a fruit bowl BUT this is EASTER!! I'm in charge of taking a potato dish so I know what the counts will be on that. I'm also considering making and taking some applesauce, the kids and I will be more then happy to eat that as a dessert! What about everything else like the Easter ham??? What are your plans for that big meal? Do you plan on staying on track or consider holidays free days? OR does anyone have any suggestions? HELP!

Hi! We are both similar start and current weights, so nice to meet you!

These issues are scary aren't they? I begin to feel nervous and freaked out when I think of family get-togethers and stuff with food where I don't know the exact counts!

Here is my plan: Since I zig zag and also count my calories by a weekly average, I want to cut my daily calories by 100 every day, so that by Easter, I will have a deficit I can 'make up for' to include some wiggle room. Cutting by 100 a day won't seem like much in the scheme of things (like if I usually have 1700, having 1600 won't be terrible for 5-6 days).

Then, I plan on portion control, portion control, portion control! If you are only having a couple spoonfuls of each tasty thing, you can't go *too* much over, know what I mean? Just be diligent.

Also, I am a Christian (your mileage may vary!) and I remember Daniel in The Bible resolving to not defile with himself with any of the king's food *before the food was even presented*. The key there is deciding before the food is even in front of you that you are going to stay reasonable, even if you don't know exact counts, you will control portions and guesstimate counts on what you already know of foods. The preemptive cutting the week before of 100 calories a day (or 50 or whatever you decide) will help average out any slight "overages" or underestimations.

That's my plan anyway LOL Good luck to both of us!

Ham is lean protein, just don't overdo it and don't forget to allow for any sugary glaze calories. Try to stick to the raw or steamed veg if you can and no sauce. Packaged gravy is usually low in fat and calories. You can put yogurt on potatoes to give them a tangy taste with fewer fats and cals than sour cream. Try fresh fruit pieces instead of high cal desserts. Just do the same kinds of things you would do at home as closely as possible. Tell everyone there a big thank you in advance for their support of your efforts to eat healthy food and how much you appreciate their love and courtesy. One day will not be the end of the earth or your diet unless you allow it to, even if you go off plan by just a few calories.

It'll be okay. I'm having the same anxiety myself and I don't have to go anywhere! it will just be a big change for this year. I'm trying to look at it like a game to feast and stay on plan!

Barb

We'll be on the road for Easter, so I won't have to deal with any of that this year (missed last Thanksgiving too!)...not even the Easter candies will come my way! Try not to fear family gatherings, it is a part of life that we all have to deal with, including the emotions that go along with it. I use to do that and just made myself into a nervous wreck by the time I got there and then usually ate too much to calm myself. That led to days of overeating afterwards. It's best to take a deep breath and PLAN it all out.

When I am at holiday dinners/family gatherings, I try to stick with the simple foods like meat and salads and veggies, because I can at least do a estimated count. Mixed foods are more difficult, but not impossible. I use general calorie counts on my software, whatever they list for mixed foods. When I think it may be high, I may take just a tablespoonful and enjoy the taste without having to end up with a high count. I also look over all the offerings before I put anything on my plate, so that I know what I want. Another little "rule" I have is to choose three things and be sure I can see the plate between the servings. But that is just me, I like to keep things simple.

That being said, I always let the count be a reasonable amount over my normal plan because this is special occasion and not an everyday meal. The difference being that I don't stop counting my calories, I just am more flexible. My normal daily count is 1000-1200, on a holiday meal, I may allow up to 1500. Restaurants, I usually allow about 1300-1400.