Conference rocks::weight_control

    
    I don't know any details on how to initiate this, but periodically
    I will get a notice about someone giving a "Racquet and Swim Party",
    or any separation of the two, at some local health/racquet club.
    The price is usually around $8.00/person which is a reasonable price
    for any night out.  Music is also provided.  A selection of food stuffs
    is also available (low-cal, nutritious items not ruled out), but
    it is not as bad for you or your peers if everyone has been
    participating in a sport.  Most people want to drink (non-alcoholic
    I hope) more than eat anyway.
    
    I hope this helps.
    
    D.
    
    p.s. -- Group bowling is also something I enjoy, though not as much
    	    exercise.  

    
    Joe, what a great topic.  I have discussed this with my father
    some...he's also overweight, always has been, can't seem to lose
    it.  And we talked about how so much of our life seems to center
    around food.  Therefore, when I had Christmas dinner this year 
    I just didn't have the amount / variety of foods that he is used
    to.  I had things that were safe for me to eat and only one 
    desert rather than the several that we used to have. 
    
    Also, when I'm with my SO we try to celebrate in ways other than
    with food as he is very supportive of my efforts to lose weight.
    Instead of having food we will build a nice fire in the fireplace
    and just enjoy talking and watching the fire.  And when we go out
    to eat he's very helpful by not ordering desert. 
    
    Myra
    

    I agree, this is a sticky one.  I tend to want to celebrate with food,
    though when I'm really on a roll, like this week's 4-lb loss, I just
    want to keep my momentum.  Still, I find myself thinking that it'll be
    great to have lost enough to allow myself a splurge night out. 

    Dangerous thinking!

    Private celebrations can be an evening spent doing something that the
    two of you enjoy; even if it's "dinner and a show and . . ." I think
    that it would be okay; you *do* need to eat, and it can be a treat
    without being excessive.

    For group activities, I like getting a bunch of people together to
    go contra dancing!  Good exercise, fun, and available refreshments
    usually consist of cider and maybe apples or popcorn.

    If you want to celebrate by having a party, just make all the
    refreshments things you can have, or that you don't care for.  After
    all, people are there for the company, not the food, right?  ;-)

    Beverly

    I don't see any problem with celebrating with food and drink.  Just
    make it the proper food and drink.  Certainly DON'T deny your hunger
    drive.  You will lose!  Feed your hunger and fuel your body with
    the items that are best in the support of your natural tendencies
    to heal and stay healthy.  Then, be healthy!
    
    Glenn

    It's funny you should say that...
    
    At church every program has a fellowship hour where there is of
    course FOOD...Food and more FOOD....
    
    But you have to be your own guide when going to the buffet table...
    just like in a resturant or at home know what is good and bad for
    your meal plan....
    
    It is interesting ...I have been trying to get together a few people
    to just play some games...monopoly, scrabble etc...but I haven't
    stated I would have food at the event....
    
    Another thing, its hard for me to eat on roller skates....a new
    adventure I have just embarked on...
    
    Loretta
    

re .5 (Loretta)

My friends and I used to have "games parties", which consisted of a pot-luck
dinner followed by playing games.  They were, of course, announced as such.
This was between diets for me, so I can't offer any suggestions.  I don't
see anything wrong with having them after dinner, or in the afternoon, and
serving fruit and juice, or something else healthy (but be warned, sometimes
people like bringing food with them whether it's requested or not!)

I was also going to mention rollerskating.  We've been to a couple of roller
skating parties for our friends' kids, and except for the pizza and cake
(sigh) you don't spend much time eating.  We've also gone quite a few times
now between parties and the skating is still fun without the pizza and cake :-).

Jill

    
                              
    It's rather funny how much Glenn and I think alike.  As soon as
    I read this note I started to ask myself "I don't see the problem".
    Actually inviting people into your homes to share food and fellowship
    goes back to probably x B.C.  I think we assume many times that people 
    want desserts and what not, when in fact, fruits and veggies usually
    go the fastest at these events.  There are many healthy drinks you
    can make, so washing things down shouldn't be a problem.  Food is
    a common bond with all people and I think that's why we center our
    lives around it, and I think it's perfectly healthy and natural
    to do that.
    
                                  Jill 

    Reg: Sharing Food
    
    I wholeheartedly agree that we should invite people in for 
    food and fellowship... like previously stated it is a time 
    honoured tradition.
    
    I think the problem that arises that so many times sharing 
    food, drink and company turns into ordered in pizzas, bottles 
    of soft drinks, cakes and pastries for dessert and calorie 
    laden alcohol drinks on top of it all.. This leads to over 
    consumption and we all know that that then leads to extra 
    calories being stored as fat.
    
    If we only offer food to *only* those hungry and we offer 
    healthy nourishing foods then how can there possibly be a 
    problem?  (I do *firmly* believe if food is offered and 
    refused on the basis that the person is not hungry then it 
    should not be forced or pushed on them)  I have had to learn 
    the hard way to only accept food when I am hungry and to only 
    eat that which I find acceptable to my way of eating.. 
    
    This coming Sunday we are having guests for board games and 
    dinner.  We will be having a vegetable pate' with crunchy 
    vegetables and fingers of whole wheat toast for an appetiser 
    while visiting.  For dinner I am planning on a soup course of 
    lentil soup with swirl of yoghurt and sesame croutons.  
    Dinner is curried veg on a bed of brown rice and whole grain 
    chapatas.  Dessert is baked apple with raisins and oat 
    topping.  Drinks will be tea, coffee, fruit juice and maybe a 
    bottle of wine as it is a special occasion.  Later in the 
    evening if there is a hunger pang I will break out some more 
    veggies, fruit and the left over pate.  You can't tell me I 
    am gonna spoil any diets or ruin anyone's health with an 
    evening of that kind of eating!!!  (Glenn might even eat such 
    a meal!!! ;-) )  
    
    The very reason we are having guests this Sunday is we were 
    telling some friends of ours about our high-fibre, low fat 
    way of eating and how fresh and enjoyable it was and how we 
    have been slimming down and feeling so good on it.  (Prompted 
    by the fact they had noticed mine and my husbands weight 
    loss)  They asked us if they could come over and sample the 
    fare!  I believe in teaching by example and not preaching.  I 
    never share my dietary beliefs unless asked or in a context 
    like this notesfiles where diet in general is the discussion.
    
    I'll let ya know what everyone thought next Monday!!! ;-)
    
    gailann