No, I didn't let it stop my fun, just drank tea and coffee and didn't snaffle the plates of bickies, I didn't even fancy them, I could see them for what they are....hyper sweet white sugar and flour. They also didnt have plates of buffet food, just individual boxes for each child, so I didn't even get tempted by a slice of ham, sausage roll or cheese on sticks....phew! I even got talking to a ban in the kitchen, said up front that I was on a diet so was allowing myself tea but no bickies. She's doing the 5:2 diet so we talked about that and agreed we both preferred to skip breakfast and spend our food allowance on lunch and an evening meal.
Tip for Maintaing: announce to self, partner and strangers that u are watching yr weight, as it's not just about being vigalent, it's setting yr intention and co-opting others to keep u accountable.
Then we were leaving the party and hubby says to try out a refurbished cafe we know opened yesterday. It's only when I get there do I realise my resolve is low & this is about group eating, which I find hard to resist.
I chose the fish salad with toast and butter. I don't intend to eat the bread, but the smell of wafting toast sways me. But wait! I have a small mouthful of toast and I realise it's not all that, it's greasy and not that tasty. I gave it to hubby and I ate the tiny portion of salmon and crab pate, with the tiny salad. It was tasty, I didn't need any more than a taster & I didn't feel terribly deprived. Not deprived at all. I also chose to have a glass of water instead of another coffee (especially as cafe coffee tends to be with full fat milk).
How this supports my slim life plan: I am practicing thoughtful, measured food choices. I am not having an in for a penny in for a pound mentality (I.e I've gone off plan let's eat the bread........) cos that leads to in for a pound, in for a stone consequences.
I have to get used to making the right choices on a weekend. I love weekends, I love going out and seeing places and eating with the family. I have to make changes, that I can do forever. Hubby will always make suggestions to go off plan. I don't want him to stop asking, I will sometimes want to eat a tasty evening meal or go to a cafe. I have to learn food lessons now & learn to make tricky choices, forever. When I stop the Vlcd, when I am at goal, there will still be weekends and they won't be a licence to eat several courses, the whole menu, not unless that was my actual planned intention and I will have had to save calories from the week, or planned a fast for the next day.
I also realise that at the moment until I am off exante or S& S, I will always want an evening bar. That means I can't eat my bar earlier in the day, it also means my earlier meals of the day must reflect that I need to keep 200cals back.
This is a good plan for my future eating self: save yr calories for later in the day and make sure u have enough for whatever yr having as yr evening meal and small treat.
So, Pat on back, I navigated another weekend, with as little damage as I could. I am still firmly in ketosis, I ate mindfully & I still have my bar and a cup of earl grey for later when Missy's in bed. I feel I've retained some lessons about how I eat, who puts temptation in my way (me and hubby) and how to navigate through it, to enjoy the food and company without feeling left out and without breaking ketosis