Party Smarty

I feel better having written those down…writing things down sure does make us more committed.  And I definitely need to commit to some behavior changes.  I’ve been just giving in to the whim of eating what I want.  These will help me slow down and get back on track!  : )

Summer is here!  Luckily, the weather in Ulsan, South Korea is quite pleasant compared to what’s happening back in Atlanta. J 

Summer used to mean lots of parties and more tempting foods, but that’s not going to be the case here (doesn’t seem like part of the foreigners culture over here).  But, going out to drink with Koreans is like a party…so much food!  In many Korean bars, you have to order food with drinks, which can be a bit problematic if you’ve already had dinner or visited another bar beforehand.  I need some strategies to help face the tempting foods.  Here are some old stand-by’s with a slight tweak:

• Make some healthier choices. My Korean friend Ryan ordered tomato slices with cheese last night because he knows I like salads.  That was a much better option than some of the fried choices on the menu.  And, it was delicious!
• Do a mental rehearsal.  This is more powerful than it seems.  If I mentally prep myself before going out, I find I am better at resisting the urge to over indulge.  I need to decide what I want and actually picture myself doing it.  (This is a particularly great strategy when facing a night of drinking.)
• Utilize the plate.  This used to mean choosing a smaller plate or filling the plate with fresh fruits and veggies.  The problem with this strategy in Korea is that plates aren’t always used.  The Korean culture is all about sharing food, so people just dig in and take from the main dishes and don’t necessarily serve themselves on a plate (they even do this with soup, which was a little unsettling at first).  If I could find a way to get a small plate and then put servings on my plate, it might help me control my portions.  When you’re eating from the main dish, mindless eating can lead to lots of calories.  The trick is to use a small plate without offending the Koreans I’m with.

Party Smarty

A good ol' American summer party!

Summer picnics

What a blast!

All the good parties

How long they do last!

So many goodies

All kinds of choices

They’re calling my name

I can hear their voices!

But I have to be strong.

I have to be smart

I know some good tips

Time to take them to heart!

My tempting choices at a Korean bar!

I deserve lots of fun

I will got to the party

I will take on the food

Because I’m a real smarty!