Success Strategies
Success Strategies
You are so ready to do what you need to do to look good and feel great. But what if you have a full social or business calendar? Don’t let that hold you back – simply follow these steps for success.
- Timing – start the program at least 2 months before major events such as your wedding or high school reunion. Ideally, commence at a time when there are no major conventions or stressful work deadlines. Clear the diary of as many social events as you can to reduce temptation, and follow these tips for the rest.
- Eat before you go – arriving at the party or conference with a full belly of your allowed foods reduces the temptation.
- Entertain at home – this allows you to have control of the menu.
- BYO – sparkling mineral water with a twist of lemon in a champagne flute. You could even add a couple of strawberries. Refreshing, bubbly, celebratory.
- Be creative – prawns with a lovely cucumber and mint salad? That sounds like a fine celebratory meal! Strawberry mocktails, zucchini pasta… you can enjoy delicious meals on both Maintenance and the VLCD.
- Special dietary needs – whether going to a private party, restaurant or function centre, let the kitchen know in advance that you have special dietary needs. This may result in suitable food being prepared for you, or bringing your own.
- Just say no – we often fear our host will be offended if we don’t eat and drink all that’s on offer. We think our friends and colleagues will find it strange… My experience has been that nobody really pays that much attention to what you’re doing.
- Buddy up – go on the program with a buddy. Invite supportive friends who have been through the program to your social events.
- Be mentally prepared – making an advance decision that you will stick to your diet no matter what makes it so much easier. Never go into a social situation with the attitude that you’ll just see how it goes, or that you’ll “try to be good”. As Yoda says, there is no such thing as try, only do or do not do.
- And finally, if you do decide to sample the party food or a glass of champagne, enjoy it then get back in the saddle straight away. Do an apple day if those terribly honest scales are telling you something you don’t want to know!
