Does one night really matter?

I often get asked:

“Does one night really matter?”

When it comes to eating out..

And with us now opening back up..

Eating out

And socialising is going to happen more often.

Here’s the thing..

Does one night matter?

Well, it depends.

Of course, it will make a difference.

Your body does not care what day of the week it is…

You can’t argue with energy in and energy out ..

It is like arguing with gravity..

But just because it makes a difference…

It doesn’t mean you should not do it…

Often, eating out is a big part of our lifestyle..

The psychosocial benefits are so underrated.

Friendships

Relationships

Laughter

What’s not to like?

Now, of course..

When it comes to nutrition, consistency is key.

And some would say:

“Why ruin a week where you have stuck to a plan, exercised 3-4 times, and been ‘good’…?”

So what do you do?

Forgo any fun and never go out again in order to stick to your nutritionally healthy lifestyle?

No! That is simply unsustainable… the answer is to eat smart

Sounds obvious, I know..

One night out does matter if you are going to throw caution to the wind and eat whatever you feel like.

But like I said,

Rather than beat yourself up?

Just accept it may slow down your results short term

But what if it actually speeds things up long term because you make it fit your lifestyle and can actually stick to this plan??

Here’s few other points that might help:

1. Choose the social events you’re going to enjoy and others where you’ll make healthier choices

2. Walk around a buffet before picking up a plate

3. Know there’s a difference between being full up and having enough

4. Focus on company not food (it is a social event)

5. Know that you are not missing out, but simply aligning your actions with your goals.

how much of what you choose to eat is based on what other people do?

One study showed that when 2 out of the 3 friends opted for the ‘healthier’ option, the 3rd friend followed

6. Think Debits and Credits – Whether you’re tracking points, calories, syns, or just trying to eat ‘heathy portions’, all can work.

But how might your mindset around thinking ‘F it, I’ll start again on Monday’ change if you knew that you COULD allow more on certain days to compensate and less on others?

Put it this way, if you had a budget of £100 for a week and you spent £80 in 1 day, you wouldn’t think ‘F it…might as well spend £800’

Yet that is essentially our mindset when it comes to food…

Causing you to spiral from one bad meal to one bad day to one bad week to ‘what’s the point’…

And it’s blooming hard getting started again…

Matt