Never stand between a blog and a hydrant

Tomorrow's my birthday. I'm forty. I'm forty until I'm fifty. I like round numbers. It's just so much easier. I'm starting my celebration tonight with some gal pals and then continuing tomorrow night with my beloved. So you know what that means ... bloating.

Look, the battle is to find ways to celebrate without putting on 10 pounds. Councilors and life coaches would suggest finding a way to celebrate various milestones WITHOUT eating. But those people are stupid. Having a nice meal with a cocktail or two is one of my favorite things to do if not my mostest favorite. The truth is, I don't want to change that.

SO ... how do you work that out? Right? Is that what you are asking? Here's what I do and I'm gonna be serious with you for a few sentences:

1) I make sure I'm getting all 8 glasses of water in before or during or after my cocktails. It helps. You will have to pee a lot, but it's worth it. Keeps you from bloating as much. Keeps you flushed (wink, wink). Keeps you from being as hungry. Keeps you from getting too buzzed. ALL plusses.

2) I keep my calories down during the day. I eat. I do not avoid eating as that will accomplish the exact opposite of what I am hoping to accomplish. I just eat tiny portions.

3) I eat every two and a half to three hours which keeps my metabolism humming so that when I DO eat that celebratory cheese and chocolate and wine, my body will process it better and quicker and more thoroughly because my metabolism is revved.

4) I work out. I know you were hoping my plan involved some kind of magic potion or meditation that makes the calories burn faster and more efficiently, but ... I work out. And you may remember from a previous post, I have a weight vest. I wear that mother. I do.

I will still see the number on the scale increase somewhat, but it comes back down much quicker when I do the above.

So listen ... if you can find something to do to celebrate OTHER than have a lovely meal, I suggest doing that. I do it sometimes myself. But if you are more of my mindset and like little better than a taste treat for your indulgence, then just ... take precautions. And then let it go. Cuz guilt and worry are not tasty toppings for your cake and ice cream.