Are temptations all around you all the time? Can’t say no to your mother-in-law’s homemade pies, your partner’s enormous gift of chocolates, or those calorie-dense lunch dates? Without being pushed toward high-calorie meals, the diet is already challenging enough. How are you going to keep your word?
Five easy ideas are provided by WebMD experts to help you keep to a healthy eating plan (even while you’re around non-dieting friends and family members).
1. State Your Position. It is up to the dieter to express their emotions. Ask your family members up front not to eat in front of you or bring you food as a gift. You can’t stare fatty foods in the face every day without your willpower giving out, no matter how strong you are.
2. Keep Temptation At Arms’ Reach. Even if your family members agree to indulge in their fatty treats when you aren’t around, ask them to store it in a cabinet where you don’t typically find your diet foods so you won’t be tempted to eat it.
3. Master the Technique of Substitution. Prepare a lower-calorie dessert that catches part of the flavor of what your family is devouring to give yourself a taste treat of your own. Be inventive, and you’ll discover that it won’t be as difficult to watch others consume the treats.
4. Distribute Health. Make the calorie- and health-conscious versions of the foods that everyone enjoys. Use skim milk instead of whole milk, no-fat yogurt in place of mayonnaise, and low-fat cheese in lasagna. Making a list of low-calorie foods to buy would also be helpful. Choose baked chips over fried ones, popcorn over cheese doodles, and diet cola over regular soda to benefit everyone.
5. Be Convincing. Reassure your partner that your weight loss goals are motivated by health, not vanity and that dropping those additional pounds will help secure a better future for both of you, even if they claim you look good the way you are. Describe the significant health hazards that come with being overweight.
Note: you have a strong will. You’re a person. Just be careful not to let those around you control you. You won’t give up on your weight loss goals if you follow these five simple steps.
