Goodmorning All!
I just wanted to share a little something about what I am up against
externally in my weight loss battle. I am the only person in my family, both my relatives and in-laws as well, that is making an attempt at healthy eating choices. By the only, I do mean to include my husband, but yes we are the only. We also often spend quite a bit more time with his family at gatherings, almost every weekend it seems. His family is rather large and full of birthdays and events. This past weekend was a going away party for a cousin who recently joined the army. Below is a sample of the yummy, yet not particularly healthy options that were available. Get ready to pack on the pounds just looking at it all.
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| so by the way...this sausage pizza was about the size of an SUV tire or something like that....and there were 2 of them |
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| a veggie pizza concoction with crescent rolls and cream cheese |
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| loads of white french bread |
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| oh look! another load of french bread... |
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| potato salad with full fat mayo and whole eggs.... |
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| macaroni and cheese simmering away with gobs of cheese, milk and butter in a crock pot... |
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| pulled pork... |
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| oh, this is a good one....sausages simmering in tomato sauce with green peppers and onions... |
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| taco salad with loads of cheese and re fried beans of course! |
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| what party would be complete without a tray of cookies? |
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| chips to go with the taco dip of course |
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So I know what you're thinking. It could
NOT be like this at every gathering. Well, you're wrong. It most certainly is. Obviously I am not faulting them, but is it
EXTREMELY hard to be around all this yummy food that is obviously not the best choice for my goals?
Of course it is. But this is family fun to them. Family Love=Must Have Massive Amounts Of Yummy Fattening Things. They add in a few games and opening presents, but this is the central theme. This is just how they are, and that's fine. I love 'em anyway! I am just going to have to be very strategic with my choices or somehow find a way to turn them down all together. This is after all, a new beginning, one that I would like to last. People sometimes either tend to be over critical of you "dieting". Or they feel like they have to babysit you, and watch over your every decision. Then there is the dreaded "are you still on that diet?" at every turn! It's a nightmare. I am tired of completely focusing on making great choices Monday through Friday, losing a mere one or two pounds, then after the weekend, gaining it all back in sodium intake even if I watch my portions!
My Question To You: How do you deal with outside influences when it comes to your healthy food decision making at social events, at work, etc?
I must say, that food looks delicious. I encourage you to eat healthy because you choose to. I may not even throw out the "d" word (it is a 4 letter word, you know), I may just saying "i'm trying to eat healthy, my body has been craving vegetables". Something very benign. I have realized that I am paying a lot more attention to what I eat than anyone else is. Realy, no one cares.
ReplyDeleteThe commitment you have made to yourself to be the healthiest version of yourself is bigger than anything anyone can say to bring you down. At first it is challenging when people question why you don't want cake at the office birthday party or all that {yummy} food at the family gathering. Over time people around you respect and admire your healthy lifestyle and stop questioning.
ReplyDeleteIt is really hard to keep up a healthy lifestyle when you have a family that doesn't really follow this lifestyle! Well, you can do it, but it is hard to not feel like a weirdo or an inconvenience. I feel like this when I go to my parents' house. I feel like I am imposing when I go and grab some veggies from the fridge to have with my lunch. And I certainly feel silly when I pull out a snack when no one else is thinking about eating. But knowing what you need and honoring that is super important!! I commend you for being aware of this!
ReplyDeleteMy family (and my husband's!) are the same way. It's awful. Even worse, there seem to be multiple birthday's per month which means oodles and oodles of birthday cake and ice cream!
ReplyDeleteI usually try to eat a piece of fruit and a granola bar before I head out and this ususally tides me over while the appetizers are out. Then I make sure I survey everything before deciding what goes on my plate. I hate having everything portioned out only to realize they haven't brought out something that I really want! I do allow for a splurge item, but I also make sure to combat it with extra excercise on family function days.
If you are getting a lot of flak for your diet, try signing up for a 5k. Not only will it give you something to work toward, but it also provides the perfect excuse of "I'm in training" when the second round of dessert make their appearace. Good luck! And thanks for the sweet comments on my post too!
At this point in my life, I just put up with the weird looks and comments I get about the healthy food I eat. At work I have a reputation for eating healthy, and some people do give me a hard time. You are the only one who decides what goes in your body, and if you want to eat something healthy, don't worry about what other people think.
ReplyDeleteOn the flip side - if you want to eat what everyone else is eating, go for it! Just pay attention to your hunger and fullness signals - eat that macaroni and cheese, just stop when you're full! No need to feel guilty, since that causes overindulgences (for me, anyways!).
Good luck!!
Thanks for all the advice! And thanks for stopping by!
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