Party Success!

(A letter to my fellow weight watchers)

How I survived the graduation party...

It's been intensely stressful around the automotive plants in Michigan lately. What with everyone looking over their shoulder wondering who's going to be tapped and who's going to be left holding the bag. So it goes without saying that we need to be extra vigilant in preparing ourselves to resist the temptation of stress eating, especially in party situations. Our Weight Watchers leader gave our group a set of tools that will help us successfully watch our weight while on vacations and at large gatherings. I had the opportunity to put most of them to work this weekend.

Here's what happened:
I had a family graduation party. This particular aunt is Italian, so it goes without saying that there was ample opportunity to "mange". In addition, she has these two friends, sisters, also Italian, and they usually help cater her affairs. And man, can these ladies cook. So, I arrive at the party and walk into the garage just as they are setting up the food tables. They had sweet and sour meatballs, creamy chicken, pasta salad, mostaccioli with real freshly grated Parmesan, au graten potatoes, baked beans, sausage and sauerkraut, home made biscuits, as well as a large bowl of mixed fruit and several relish trays and veggie trays. The tables are covered in assorted munchies and dips. The dessert table is already covered with an assortment of mini cream puffs, some chocolate dipped, some white chocolate dipped and two HUGE trays covered in home made cupcakes, one tray frosted in chocolate with white chocolate drizzle, the other covered in white chocolate with chocolate drizzle. The smell of the frosting assaults you 5 feet from the table...mmmmmmm.

Well, knowing that I did not want to give myself the opportunity to fail, I prepared myself ahead of time. I did the exercise where you visualize the food, smell the food, taste the food. I made the decision that I would taste everything on the dinner table, but skip the bread, which I usually don't do, I LOVE bread! I did not want to get there and then feel short-handed by limiting myself to only a few items. I didn't want to feel left out or deprived. I sat down and figured out the points value of the foods I knew they were going to have. I went for a run in the morning to earn a few extra points in case there was something there I didn't figure into my points. I also armed myself against the possibility that I would graze the munchies by making myself a bowl of fresh hummus. I baked myself a bowl of low-fat, whole wheat pita pieces and utilized the veggie trays when the urge got the better of me.

When it came time to eat, I served myself one table spoon of each of the delectable offerings. I chewed slowly and purposefully and was quite full and satisfied. I made it a point to play with the kids most of the day. They kept me busy and active, so I wouldn't spend a lot of time lingering and revisiting the food tables. I only sat down long enough to eat, this way, I didn't put myself in danger of mindlessly dipping into the snack bowls. When they brought in the sheet cake and started cutting, I took a deep breath. I avoided the cake at a fellow employee's retirement party earlier in the week, but would I be able to resist this? I wasn't given the opportunity. Before I could say, "Hey, can you cut a few smaller slices?" I was handed a 1/4 pound chunk and a fork by an overzealous "helper". I decided that I had accumulated enough extra points that I could afford a few bites. One, two, three, four...Oh My God! How can I get myself out of this? Two year old, to the rescue!!! I looked up and there was Ava, my cousin's little girl. "Bite? Bite?" she beckoned. Oh, Thank, You, Jesus! I couldn't have snuck another bite in even if I had wanted one!

Later, when I felt a magnetic draw to the dessert table to sneak a cream puff, I was met with an empty plate! The Skinny God's where looking after me! The cupcakes were easier to resist...the little kids weren't replacing the plastic wrap properly, and the flies were having a feast, eww, yuck! Time for cocktails! Oh, Joy! Just as they were about to pour, the little ones came a beggin' rides on the four wheeler! Salvation! I hopped on and spent the next hour and a half obliging every kid there with a ride around the ranch. By the time I was done, the party was winding down, the sun was setting, it was time for good-byes. I rode home with the satisfying feeling that I had eaten everything I wanted.

Michele = 1
Battle of the Bulge = 0