Robard Weight Loss

Eating "Right" at a Wedding

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I think it goes without saying that weddings are grand celebrations.  Meant to signify the love between the two being wed, a wedding always tends to involve grand feasts.  Whether it’s a five course, five star meal or a selection of the couple’s favorite comfort foods, there’s a lot of items on the menu that aren’t “diet friendly.”

So what do you do?  How do you celebrate with everyone and not feel left out of a huge part of the celebration?  Is there a way you can participate in cocktail hour, the meal, cake, and dessert time without blowing your diet to smithereens?  Yes!  Below are some tips to help you eat right at a wedding:

1. Knowing the date of the wedding in advance gives you time to plan for it.  In the week leading up, be diligent about sticking to your diet and exercise program.  You’ll feel good about yourself the day of, and you may actually find that you aren’t craving some of the fat laden treats offered.
2. Eat before you go to the wedding.  Attending on an empty stomach will make every bit of food more appealing.  Eat a nutritious meal beforehand and you’ll feel better satiated and less likely to indulge.
3. But, if you are craving sweet treats, remember that it’s okay to lightly indulge.  For instance, if it’s a slice of cake you want, take the offered piece, slice it in half, and only eat one small portion of it.  Savor each bite, and remember its quality over quantity. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not about depriving yourself.  Moderation is the key to your success.
4. Post-event, get right back into your program.  The “bye” you’ve given yourself should only last the one day.

Lastly, get up from the table, away from the food, and dance! It’s time to have fun and partake in the wedding festivities that don’t involve food and drinks.  According to DiabetesCare.net’s Nutrition Tracker, 1 hour of dancing can burn about 340 calories.  For those of you counting calories, realize that the laughter that will ensue as you do the Funky Chicken, the YMCA, and the Electric Slide, will help raise your heart rate 10 to 20 percent, burning up to 40 calories for every 15 minutes.

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When I feel Frustrated…

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Everyone handles frustration differently, but if you're not careful it can lead to regrets. Frustration can cause you to turn to food or make unhealthy decisions and then guilt sets in. So rather than repeating the constant cycle, here are 10 ways to deal with frustration without food!

1. Count down backwards from 20 and keep repeating until you feel calmed down.

2. Talk to someone you trust about your feelings, tell them what's bothering you.

3. Release your frustration with exercise; go for a walk, run, bike ride, or grab a punching bag.

4. Find a quiet place to clear your mind.

5. Write down your thoughts in a journal and express how you feel.

6. Simplify the situation. Break it down and analyze.

7. Cry, release any pent up emotion.

8. Put it on hold and do something else, then go back to it later.

9. Try some deep breathing exercises.

10. Find the positive in your frustration and focus on that. Make lemonade out of lemons.