At the time of this posting, several countries will be nearing their annual Saint Patrick’s Day celebration, with many participants kicking off their festivities this weekend in bars and restaurants around the globe. If you’re among them and currently working towards fat loss, this may present a dilemma.
How do you stay on track while still enjoying social events?
Here are a few thoughts to consider.
Know your circle. If certain friends or family members belittle your healthy choices and/or pressure you against your wishes — reconsider spending time around those individuals. They don’t have to live with your choices; you do.
I know this one’s tough sometimes, especially with extended family and old friends, but let’s be real – is it more important to be polite, or to be healthy for self and your own family?
Give yourself a break. If these events aren’t common for you, it’s not worth the stress of over-thinking it. Apply the 80/20 Principle here: one day will not derail weeks of progress. Give yourself the gift of a guilt-free good time with friends & family, and go back to your plan afterwards.
Be honest about your habits. If your history suggests that specific foods trigger over-eating, or that social anxiety prompts heavy drinking, then that is what will likely happen.
That’s not to say you can’t reverse these tendencies; only that being aware of them gives you the power to plan for them. For example, if you typically over-eat at social functions, then you can eat smaller meals over the rest of the day to compensate for the evening’s activities. See what I mean? Plan with your habits in mind rather than trying to completely reverse them.
Booze and You. First off: alcohol itself is not evil, but as with anything, you need to know and be honest with yourself about its impact on you. Does drinking usually result in your eating greasy foods you wouldn’t have had otherwise? Does consuming alcohol make you more hungry? Do you know you can’t stop at just one or two drinks? Brutal honesty on this topic can spare you the health consequences – and possibly save lives.
You might be noticing a theme here. Know yourself, be honest with yourself, and take control by having a plan of action.
Plan for reality – not what you hope will happen – and you’ll do just fine.
What’s an approach that works for you?
Former fat kid-turned fitness enthusiast, Sam is host of Tips Of The Scale and is living his mission of helping others became healthier and more in control of their lives. He loves stand-up comedy, his family, and the UFC - not necessarily in that order. 
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