After the lockdown slowly relaxes, many of us will attempt to return to some semblance of normalcy.
What that feeling of normalcy will be remains to be seen.
No doubt some of us look forward to meeting other mothers over coffee and, especially after 12 weeks of talking with children, having conversations with adults.
There will also be a realization that the slower pace of lockdown has increased the waist and the clothes are a little tighter than they were 3 months ago. Now is a good time to start a weight loss plan so that you can tackle what many are calling the Covid Stone.
As for coffee mornings, these are usually organized in cafes or with friends. Both of these can be difficult when managing your weight loss.
The first thing to think about is what to drink in these situations. It's much easier to stay away from sugary rolls and pastries when you're having a hot drink as that's the social common denominator. So choose wisely when it comes to tea or coffee. An Americano or filter coffee is much lower in calories than a cappuccino or latte, even better in terms of caffeine is a normal weak type of tea or herbal tea. When in a coffee shop, ask for an extra pot of boiling water so you can water down the drink instead of topping up with coffee or tea. Also, consider a glass of cold water to improve hydration and avoid headaches. This should be in addition to the pint of hot water and lemon or lime that you had first thing this morning.
The key to avoiding high calorie increases is to make sure you don't get there hungry. Remember that protein is vital every three to four hours. So if you had breakfast with the kids at 7:30 or 8 a.m., it would likely have been at least three hours before meeting the girls. I find the best guide is 2 to 2.5 hours as after the morning rush it is the idea of the reward and the sight and smell of tempting scones and croissants that calls into question our ability to abstain. If you're hosting the coffee morning, don't forget to have something to eat before your guests arrive, as running around with the duster in a panic increases stress hormones that lead to sugar and fat cravings. A protein bar, yogurt and a few nuts or a slice of cheese and a piece of fruit are great snacks to have shortly before your appointment. There's nothing worse than indulging in a high-calorie snack when you don't need it, especially if losing weight is important to you.
So plan your meetings, eat before or on the go and always have some snacks in the car. Don't let others pressure you to have something that affects your weight loss goals, especially saboteurs who need to be more careful themselves. You are not there to alleviate their guilt! Most importantly, enjoy the chats, laugh, encourage each other, and happily feel that weight loss and socializing can be enjoyed at the same time, an important truth for long-term health and happiness.
