The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Isallgood]

Down here in the sunny south football season has just kicked off and in Alabama there are only 2 teams, Alabama and Auburn. Saturday's are filled with football parties and tailgate parties. So, there will be food drinks and fun. The problem is I read there is no alcohol allowed. I think I could have my lean and green meal when everyone else is diving into their hotdogs, hamburgers and hot wings. Any suggestions? I could avoid it all together but I just can't explain what a tradition it is here on Saturday's. If you were from Alabama you would understand. Any help would be great.

[LeeannNH]

hi isallgood

i know i live in new hampshire but i was born and raised in tennessee and believe me i know what you mean ( i just moved up here about 8 years ago). football=life, in high school and college and nfl, etc! i was the outcast of my family because i was a bama fan! my mom went to vandy and my sister went to ut.

regarding your tailgating dilemma. my husband and i have had season tickets to the new england patriots for 4 years and we tailgate before the games. i just had my first medifast tailgate and here is what i did:

i brought a chicken breast to grill (i let it soak in lemon juice and cajun spices to give me the hot wing experience) and brought along baby spinach to eat with it. i dont drink so that wasnt much of a drama for me, but i know its a big part for alot of folks. maybe someone else will chime in on that for you.

i had a great time and no one said a word about it being weird, the guys even ate some of the extra chicken i brought along



hope this helps
roll tide and go pats
leeann

[Gwenski]

Don't worry - you can totally get through this.

You can have a burger too -- try one of those No Carb thingys. Use lettuce for the bun and put your tomato and ketchup on it. Have a premade salad or your veggie ready to go.

Drink lots of water and have some diet sodas on you too. Maybe try having an oatmeal or big icey shake a little before you go so your tummy isn't grumbling.

Dial into the sights, sounds and smell of it all and know that you don't have to eat and drink to have a good time. It is a totally different frame of mine but shifting your perspective might be a cool experience.

Take care, have fun and let us know you how much fun you had!

[dlr2424]

Isallgood.... ...You can do it!!!!!!!!.......if we focus on the fun & the people..... .....and not focus on the food.....we are all set...... ......think about kids for a minute..... .....do they think about what food is going to be there.....or how much fun they are going to have?...... ....we usually have to beg them to stop and eat....... .......they enjoy the moment for sure.........hmmm...... ......I think I need to hang around some little ones more often ......you will learn how to tailgate and have fun doing it as well...... ......no reason to worry
Donna....dlr2424

[mytime]

Bring an extra supplement - something you like - save your bar or whatever for emergencies. Then I am with everyone else - eat your meal there. About the drinking you can bring diet soda and put it in a cup holder, tell everyone your tummy had been upset so you are going to pass, tell everyone you are the designated driver - or just drink your water and your soda and smile knowing this time next year you will be looking hotter than you ever thought possible !!!! I want to add that I have been to a few parties and had a few while on MF - I was shocked afterwards to realize that I had such a better time b.c I was not totally focused on the food there. I kept myself busy serving food to my family and others there and cleaned up a lot - it was easier than I thought. I think you will surprise yourself. YOU CAN DO THIS - set your mind on I am doing MF only and you will succeed. Besides nothing is worth the wrath of the first three days on MF or the effects of going off program - you will spend your whole night in the porta potty . Have a GREAT TIME, Mytime

[Nancy]

You've already gotten some great ideas and I like the idea of the grilled marinated chicken (lime juice is good, too). Safeway has Diet Ginger Ale - it looks sort of like a can of beer...pour it into one of those 16 ounce plastic cups and who would know?

Hope your team wins!

[Isallgood]

I made it through the weekend. I had a 5oz hamburger steak with green beans. Everybody else had chili. I drank plenty of water and had a couple of caffeine free diet Mt. Dews. I made it fine. It was kinda difficult at first watching everybody else drink beer and wine and eat huge bowls of chili and there I was with my water. After awhile I was so into the game my mind went completely off of what they were doing and I had a great time. The best part was that my friends knew I was on Medifast and if they even thought I was going to get out of line they would have stopped me in my tracks. They are a great support system outside the forum.

I do have one question. I don't want to sound like a party girl or anything but after the diet can we have a drink here and there? I mean this isn't forever is it? I know everything will be in moderation. I know it's going to be a lifestyle. I just don't want to feel like I have to give up my social outings forever.

Thanks for all your suggestions. It really helped me so much. As I always say everyone on here is so great and you are a huge part of my daily success. I don't know if I could do MF without you.

[Nancy]

Isallgood ~

You had such a successful weekend. I am very proud of you - and your friends deserve a trophy for assisting you - see? Your success will be their success, too. I'd tell them how much you appreciate their encouragement - reinforce their good behavior and it is likely to occur again and again!

re:

I do have one question. I don't want to sound like a party girl or anything but after the diet can we have a drink here and there?

Dear Party Girl ~

Yes, there IS life once you get to your goal.

I would not recommend having any alcohol during phase one (weight loss) of your Take Shape Program because alcohol is metabolized as a sugar – alcohol is a carbohydrate with non nutritive values, and since it is not balanced with protein and fat, it is generally stored as energy for later (flab) if not used soon after ingestion. It makes us vulnerable to extra nibbling, too.

Just remember that the day the scale announces that you have arrived, it is not a license to pork-out.

After weight loss, you go through transition (phase 2) and then begin phase three where your weight begins to permanently stabilize, it is best to gradually increase your caloric intake over a period of time.

For people like me who had a lot of weight to lose and were on phase one for a long time, I very slowly began to increase the calories and was careful with the types of foods I ate – I truly avoided the higher glycemic foods.

If I have a tropical paradise beverage with a little umbrella or a glass of suds, it seems to affect me rapidly and make me ravenous – I could eat my weight in French fries…and I did it several times this summer.

Honestly, I had eaten French fries MAYBE twice in over two years and then this summer we’ve gone to Red Robin’s several times for birthdays, family gatherings and their beer creates FRENCH FRIES FRENZY. I am no longer allowed to enter the doors of RR until I get de-flabbed…

[Isallgood]

That's great news. I was worried. I know I won't ever be able to go back and consume the calories I once did and keep the weight off. I guess I want to hear that I can indulge on SPECIAL OCCASONS once I have lost my weight and still be able to maintain my weight. Of course I know the special occasions can't be everyday or every week for that matter. That's why I have been putting off this diet in the first place and managed to gain 40 more pounds in the meantime. There will always be holidays and birthdays and some kind of celebration. I just have to learn to handle them as they come and not eat like I used to. I am a little bit nervous about the holidays coming up but I'm sure you guys will have great suggestions and recipes. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

[Nancy]

Holidays can be challenging but do you know what?

I made it thru my husband's birthday, my birthday, our daughter's birthday, my Daddy's birthday, preparing and serving Thanksgiving and CHRISTmas dinners, Valentine's Day, etc. without cheating...I wanted thin more than I wanted fat.

This is a temporary process...those foods will still be around when you reach your goal.

Yes, you can have SOME of those favorite foods and beverages again.

Just not every day and just not as much as you used to eat or else you will return to Flabdom.

In moderation you can have anything you want. Anything.

[Gwenski]

YOU DID IT!

Way to go!

Congrats!! :bravo:

[martha]

Isallgood--

YAHOO you did it!!!! My hubby is from Alabama as are my 2 kids and are all really BIG football fans..Between us 2 are for Alabama and 2 are AUBURN fans.. this is a split family for sure You did good--I am proud of you.. I would definetly bring an extra shake just in case and I would do the burger thing or the chicken grilled without the buns..Keep up the good work..Martha

[dlr2424]

Honestly, I had eaten French fries MAYBE twice in over two years and then this summer we’ve gone to Red Robin’s several times for birthdays, family gatherings and their beer creates FRENCH FRIES FRENZY. I am no longer allowed to enter the doors of RR until I get de-flabbed…

Well isn't that funny........ ........I discovered Texas Roadhouse Resturant and visited there last month..... .....8 times within 6 weeks for birthdays and gatherings as well...... ......and upon my 4th visit decieded I would endulge in the PLENTIFUL PANS of PEANUTS......... .......now those peanuts are sitting on my hips..... .....but not for long...... ...I too am no longer allowed to enter the doors of that establishment until I hit goal......... ......

[Nancy]

Uh, oh, dlr2424...did you say,


PEANUTS?


It's not safe to say,

PEANUTS? around here! (especially if Doglover's listening)





Look out, Folks! It's a stampede

[soccer_mom]

You know what's nice to hear? That even the mod's fall off the wagon now and then....and then we all get back on......Nancy, thanks for everything you do on this board.....it's helping me!!!!!