How To Stay In Weight Loss Mode (When It’s Fall Fair Time)

How can I stay in weight loss mode when it’s fall fair time? There are so many temptations out there? How will I be able to handle them all? Well, you can stay true to your goals and still have a good time.

How To Stay In Weight Loss Mode

It’s fair time and you go every year. You love the rides. The midway is a blast. You like seeing all the exhibits. Those entertainment acts are great to see too. There is so much to see! And then there’s the food. All the sights, smells, neon signs and a food truck every few feet it seems. How can we navigate our way through this?

The one thing you will probably agree with me on is that nothing is ever status quo when you are on a weight loss journey. Let’s face it. Life could get pretty boring if we lived status quo all the time. Special events are going to crop up in our lives and we just need to have a plan to be able to go and enjoy our time while we are there. If you are serious about losing some weight, I also have several other strategies, conveniently rolled up in one article, “Essential Tips to Losing Weight (and Keeping It off)”

Something To Keep In Mind

What kind of outcome do you expect to happen when you go to the fair? Be very honest with yourself. Do you want to eat some treats you really enjoy, but in moderation? Maybe you want to concentrate on finding healthier options while you are there (there are some). It could be that you want to just let this be a day of true indulgence as it comes for you once a year. None of those responses is a wrong answer by the way. You just need to be content with what you decide.

Make A Plan

As they say, “fail to plan, plan to fail”. We all know the temptations that go with fair time and how we can get “caught up in the moment”. Make sure you have a plan so that you can both have fun and not have feelings of regret afterward.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

You definitely have a full day ahead of you at the fair with lots going on. Be sure you have not only the physical stamina with all the walking involved but having a good night’s sleep can make your mind better prepared and more aware when you are, “in the moment”.

Eat Before You Go

Planning to eat before you go can give your stomach a head start and you are in control of what you are eating. Better to head into the fairgrounds when you feel satisfied and not when you are hungry.

Carry a Water Bottle With You

Think of this as definitely a form of hydration as you are walking around the grounds for long periods. Also, think of it as your security blanket. When you see something super tempting, take some water and the temptation just might pass.

Exercise Before Heading Out

With weight loss programs such as Noom, the more you exercise, the more calories you can earn in your daily budget. These extra calories allowed in the budget can be used for those extra indulgent foods which are so common at the fair.

Sit Down To Eat

Nothing facilitates mindless eating when you are at outdoor events more than walking and eating. Sit down somewhere to eat. Be mindful of what you are eating and take a break from the walking.

Share a Dish

Is that funnel cake really tempting you? Share it with someone you are with. You’ll get that taste you are looking for and you’ll be able to share the experience!

Fair Foods With Calorie Counts

Thanks to WebMD, here are some common indulgent foods you can find at the fair and their calorie counts. This can help you with your planning when you go.

• Fried Snickers (5 oz.): 444 calories and 29 grams (g) fat
• Fried Twinkie (2 oz): 420 calories/34 g fat
• Funnel cake (1): 760 calories/44 g fat
• Twinkie Dog Sundae: 500 calories/14 g fat
• Fried cheesecake (6 oz.): 655 calories/47 g fat
• Foot-long hot dog and bun: 470 calories/26 g fat
• Giant turkey leg: 1,136 calories/54 g fat

As I had mentioned earlier, there are some foods at the fair which are healthier choices and ones you might consider to help you stay in weight loss mode. Maybe you might consider one choice from the higher calorie list and a few healthier choices. Thanks to EvergreenHealth for their recommendations.

• Roasted corn on the cob: 50 calories/1 g fat (with butter 200 calories)
• Grilled meat kabobs: depends on meat but much less than a turkey leg
• Cotton candy: 170 calories/0 fat (all sugar though)
• Salt water taffy: 180 calories/2 g fat (for 3 pieces)
• Caramel apple: 334 calories/6 g fat

Above All Else~Have Fun!

This is not an everyday event and how you can stay in weight loss mode at the fair is possible. It’s fun! There are lots of aspects that make it fun besides the food. Be sure to enjoy them all.