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How to develop self-control re: food?
I don't buy cookies, candy, chips, etc. to keep around the house, but I have THE hardest time with self-control at parties and holiday events. It always starts with a cookie here or a few chips there,and pretty soon I've consumed what probably amounts to a million calories' worth of junk. I know that eating beforehand and avoiding the food table are good strategies, but it's so hard not to just graze the whole time or convince myself to splurge because it's a special occasion...and then I feel guilty and gross afterward.
I'm not obese or anything, but would definitely like to lose 10-15 pounds and know my diet is what keeps me from doing that. Any tips for developing more self-control when it comes to food?
Kiwi Fruit, 10.2.06 & Ellie Bug, 4.5.09
My blog: Bear With Us
Ideas on Teaching Your Toddler/Preschooler at Home
Re: How to develop self-control re: food?
2012 Reading Challenge
Maybe Diet Coke? How about a big glass of water instead.
Southeastern Cycling
My Nest Bio and Cycling Advice
Unless you are attending parties every week, I don't think this is a problem. Give yourself permission to enjoy some junk, do it, and then get back on track the next day.
People post on here all the time about how they indulged at some special event and feel awful about it. My philosophy is that it's better to accept that you are going to do it and actually enjoy it, rather than be upset and enjoy it only halfway. If you eat healthily you are probably going to feel like crap (physically) the next day anyway. Why throw in the mental angst as well?
I agree with the pp. Is this just on your mind because of Easter? We attend one party a month, at most. I try and make sound decisions at parties, but don't dwell on it if I eat a little too much at a party.
If it was just once a month or so and didn't add up to much, it definitely wouldn't be a big deal...but between our two families and then holidays, it's somebody's birthday or a BBQ or a family gathering almost every week, and that's in addition to anything that goes on at work. It's as if as soon as other people are around, I lose all my motivation to get in better shape and decide, "Aw, it's a party! What difference will it really make?" but once I start munching, I can't stop. Knowing that diet makes a much bigger difference in losing/maintaining weight than exercise, I just think if I could reign in the social eating, it'd be a lot easier for me to drop a few pounds and get in better shape....because if I eat 5-6 cookies, a slice of pie, 3-4 handfuls of chips, plus meals, there is no way I'm going to be able to burn off those extra calories before the next event rolls around and I do it all over again. I just need to figure out how to keep my intentions intact once the junk food actually presents itself, rather than planning to taste a little and stay relatively healthy and then losing all my resolve once I take a bite or two.
Kiwi Fruit, 10.2.06 & Ellie Bug, 4.5.09
My blog: Bear With Us
Ideas on Teaching Your Toddler/Preschooler at Home
This is what I do:
Bring something healthier than the norm - veggie tray, fruit salad, angel food cake, etc. Then limit yourself to grazing only from that food - veggies are particularly good for this. Or do "1 and done" - take a plate. Fill it with whatever you're going to eat. Then throw the plate away/put it in the sink when you're finished and don't get another plate or finger-graze.
At those kinds of events, I usually eat a TON just because it is there and I'm bored, but not because I really want any of it. I'll have a taste of anything that's REALLY piquing my interest, but otherwise give myself total free reign to anything healthy - raw or steamed fruits & veggies, shrimp, etc. Even obscene amounts of nuts have more nutritional value than say, a piece of cake. You'll fill up faster on healthy foods, and I can justify 3,500 calories worth of fruit and vegetables a lot easier than wasting it on empty, sugary cake calories.
Eat what you want though, remember that you can always eat healthy or work out tomorrow and that life is too short to deprive yourself of everything.
PPs have provided some things I do, plus a few additional:
-Drink plenty of water before
-Eat a small snack before you go so you aren't starving
-Only eat from a plate (gives you a good visual of how much you are eating) & throw the plate away.
-Don't stand by the food. Get involved in an activity (people playing a game/volleyball/corn hole, etc.,) or ask someone if they'll chat with you in another location. Standing away from the food is helpful for me.
At those kinds of events, I usually eat a TON just because it is there and I'm bored, but not because I really want any of it. I'll have a taste of anything that's REALLY piquing my interest, but otherwise give myself total free reign to anything healthy - raw or steamed fruits & veggies, shrimp, etc. Even obscene amounts of nuts have more nutritional value than say, a piece of cake. You'll fill up faster on healthy foods, and I can justify 3,500 calories worth of fruit and vegetables a lot easier than wasting it on empty, sugary cake calories.
Eat what you want though, remember that you can always eat healthy or work out tomorrow and that life is too short to deprive yourself of everything.
just a lurker but you do have the option of bringing healthier options to share with everyone. if someone is bringing chips and dip then you can bring healthier baked pita chips (make them at home) and a canelloni dip (beans, garlic, parsley, garlic, olive oil) for example. that alone will allow you to snack but in a much much more controlled manor. no fried chips (never mind the sodium), no mayo/cheese/cream based dips.
learn to snack healthier rather than never snacking at all. also bring veggies like carrots or celery to eat rather than cookies.
or you can guilt yourself "are these 5 handfulls of chips really what I want to eat? how long will it take me to get rid of these calories? Am I willing to do 2 extra hours of work outs just to erase the damage" then decide for yourself. once I look at things that way it's much easier to find the carrots
parties are tough!!! and give yourself a break once in a while. you are allowed to snack-just within reason.