Burgers, Ribs, & Chicken...oh my!!

Annual Family BBQ is THIS Saturday and I am attempting not to freak out!  Every year I plan this BBQ for my family and I am never concerned about what I am going to eat because I just plan to have a taste of EVERYTHING, including the alcohol.  I think about and anticipate the giant helping of my mom's  mac & cheese, seafood salad, and the 5 or 6 of auntie's deviled eggs that I plan to inhale.

This year I have planned every detail of the BBQ including the carb overloaded, BBQ meat infused, over indulgent smorgasbord of food .....SMH!!!  Of course, this was planned BEFORE beginning the 60-Day Journey.  Since I am on the journey and I do not want to sabotage myself, I have been searching for some survival tips and side dishes that I can make.  I have searched the Internet and my stack of fitness magazines for tons of “how to”, “top 10”, and “low-fat” blah, blah, blah…side dishes and tips.  Didn't find what I was looking for so I created my own top list.... "How I Plan to Survive the Annual Friends & Family BBQ"  

1. I plan to exercise BEFORE the BBQ.  I will be at the worX bright and early on Saturday morning.
2. I will treat Saturday as a normal day, ummm well, as normal as possible.  I will eat like I normally do, starting with breakfast.    Eating during the day will assure me that by BBQ time, I won’t need a UFO sized plate to fill me up. 
3. I am determined to find a side dish that I can bring and eat without feeling like I will need to lap Fed Ex field 4 times or tuck my head under a pillow because I am ready for a nap.  The table will be loaded with carbs, meat, desserts, condiments, bread, food, food, and more food....YIKES!!!!  At least if I bring a dish, I know there will be something for me!  One of the things I know for sure from trying to lose weight over and over again is that if you attend a function thinking...“that’s what's being served, so that’s what I am going to eat, " you will fail every time and your body will crave more and more of the processed food that is NOT good for you.
4. I will enjoy the BBQ but more importantly, I will enjoy my family and friends.  It's okay to eat the food but will keep in mind that it's NOT a buffet:  I have not had pasta in over 6 months, by choice, but do you really think I am going to pass up my mama's mac & cheese.  It’s the one dish on the table that I will not refuse on Saturday. 
5. I plan to nibble from the Veggie Tray...a lot!  Yes, there will be veggies cooked by friends and family but I don't know about your family but in my family, the greens and string beans will be cooked in a way that is probably not the healthiest.  In my opinion, the veggie tray is the safest place to get clean unprocessed veggies.  I mean really, if I am going to eat the mac & cheese, I must eat double the amount of vegetable.  Besides, vegetables are full of fiber and lots of fiber = a full tummy and less time to think about all the other food that I am choosing not to eat.
6. I will not beat myself up:  Let’s be realistic, it's a family BBQ.  I planned it so that me, my family, and friends could come, have a good time, eat, dance, and drink.  There is no reason for me to be crazy or deprive everyone else of a fun time. If I stick to what I know about food and what I know about those yummy treats: they are shiny on the outside but harmful to my insides, I will be fine.
7. I will be thankful and enjoy the BBQ.  I have been at this weight loss game for a long time and although I am holding steady at this weight (not because i want to), I am so thankful that in 2012 I am already 20lbs lighter than I was in 2011.  I am thankful that I am discovering what it means to live a healthy lifestyle, and not be on a crazy diet.  I am looking forward to that mac & cheese but I am also looking forward to knowing that I have equipped myself with the tools to decide what I will be eating and the knowledge of how to build a plate and not send my body into processed food overload!

..let's have a BBQ!