Jump-starting a healthy eating plan is hard enough, but factor in food-filled events with family and friends and you may feel like you’re setting yourself up for failure. With a marathon stretch of holidays looming large, you need to learn how to stick to your healthy eating habits, even when your Aunt Helen tries to dump a second serving of dessert on your plate. Here are my tips for telling food pushers to back off.
Don’t you want a second helping of dessert? Pecan pie is your favorite! Just this once won’t hurt!
I’d love to take home a piece to have later this week.
Come on, just a bite won’t hurt!
As delicious as that was, I’m going to have to pass. I’m so full right now that I know I’ll regret it if I have even one more bite.
You can’t live on salads forever!
You’re right, but until I get to a weight I’m comfortable at, I’m going to stick with what I know works.
Your sister seems to get along just fine eating whatever she wants. What’s your deal?
That’s great for her, but this is what’s working for me right now. I try not to compare myself to other people.
You used to be so much fun, but now calories are all you care about! Loosen up a little!
I appreciate your concern, but taking account for what I put into my body makes me happy. You should try it—you’d be surprised at how great you feel.
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Comments (6)
I stick with a simple “No thanks”
I used to try and explain to the “food pushers” why I eat the way I do.
To the really pushy ones, I would sometimes drop some science as to how their diet caused their obesity, poor skin, lack of energy, etc…
If they were going to judge my eating habits, why not judge theirs???
But now, I just say No thanks and leave it at that. I may need to say it 3 or 4 times, but eventually, they get the hint.
Wow, some of those responses make it seem like the dieter is in a cult, responding with scripted answers to inquiring family members. While I’m sure these ways to say no are good, sometimes people are overdoing it. No, I don’t want you to gain weight over Thanksgiving, but I also don’t want you to sit there the whole time worrying about your food.
And the last comment? Suggesting others to go on a diet as well? Kind of creepy.
At the beginning of the Thanksgiving dinner, put just as much as you think is fit for your diet on your plate. If “pushers” comment that your portion is too little, just say that you’re only starting with this and you’ll move on to the other food in a bit. With that one serving on your plate, be careful to eat slowly. Try conversing more until the rest of your party has finished eating themselves. Then it will seem like you finished with them, and that you were constantly eating throughout the meal. Hopefully none of those “pushers” were watching you like a hawk to see just how much you wanted to eat; and by the time they’re full and done eating, you can say the same as well and they won’t question it. Normally too they wouldn’t want you to keep eating long after they’ve finished.
This year I plan on” No, I really can’t. I’m having some gastro problems” It’s true…and no one wants to talk about intentines at a big meal!
The cult comment is right, only it is the food pushers who are in it and don’t want us to get out. When we are trying to focus less on food and change our life and health it seems like they can’t deal with us being different. However you say “No” to the extra food say it with a smile and the quiet assurance of sticking to your convictions. Most of the time the pushers don’t even realize that they are trying to sabotage you (sometimes they do). Just use this as an opportunity to strengthen your muscle of focus and stay on track.
very interesting
Here are How to Starve Yourself