Do you "hide" your dieting in public/with friends?

emmamc252

This happened to me today and just wondered what other ppl do....
So I'm doing insanity and following the nutrition plan. It's pretty prescriptive food ratios etc:
So I made myself a lunch, took it with me to the kids party I was taking my daughter to and then when everyone else went to order food (we were at one of those kids indoor play places) I just felt too self conscious to get out my pre-prepared wholeweat pitta. So instead went and ordered pizza and chips like everyone else and then sat and ate a tiny amount because I didn't really want to eat it and ruin my diet, and so sat there starving all afternoon?
Told hubby and he said I'm insane, like anyone cares if I'm on a diet! But I know women and women talk!! And you always get the comments "one slice of pizza isn't going to kill you" from the skinniest person there.
Even I think I'm crazy but I would like to know if I'm the only one who doesn't like to say I'm dieting to people outside my close family and friends?

asdelmonte

Next time tell them you're in training and eat your own, healthy lunch. You can be training for anything, a 5k, a half marathon, a century ride, or a healthy old age. I don't ever say I'm dieting. To me it's just the way I choose to live my life.

KellyyT

you should have eaten before hand so you wouldn't have been starving all afternoon. that's usually when people lose control and tend to eat a bunch of crap they otherwise wouldn't have. you also could have brought an apple or even some carrots to much on later while you were watching the kids. there are always ways to avoid this situation.

also, telling people "i'm not very hungry, i already ate, but thank you anyway" is a completely acceptable answer.

ItsCasey

Nope. They know I fast until dinnertime. And at dinnertime, I eat more than every female and most of the males in the room, so it's kind of hard to hide that.

Cheeky_0102

i tend to eat before hand or plan to eat after and grab something small that i have planned for. I know at most fast food places what a reasonable snack would be for me. Mcdonalds it would be a snack wrap. Pizza i would get one slice of vegetarian with lots of veggies, no dip, no chips, tap water to drink. I often use casual vegetarianism to make healthier choices and not be weird about it. I have to admit i would draw the line at bringing my own food to a fast food restaurant. I would rather have nothing than pack a lunch to an eating establishment

tinylightsbelow

I have to admit that I do hide my dieting as well. I have a friend at work who, in the past when I've tried to eat healthily, intentionally waved temptation in my face (she would open up Oreos or a bag of Pringles and just leave them sitting by me). It's not out of malicious intent, she just thinks that bingeing is healthy/important (a surprisingly prevalent and weird idea). Some people also try to talk me out of it, saying that I should stay the weight I am because I'm not fat. It is hard to convince them that I don't suffer from body image problems and I just want to be healthy, fit and confident!

Even people who agree with dieting are not always productive because they can ask probing questions about what kind of diet I'm participating in and end up trying to tell me that I should be doing something different.

So, yeah, all in all most people (through little fault of their own) just don't know how to handle the issue delicately. I try to avoid drawing attention to it.

Unknown

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lavaughan69

I don't hide that I'm on a "diet". I use that term lightly, because I'm trying not to classify what I'm doing as dieting per say. I adjust my eating on days when I'm going out with friends, or at a company lunch or whatever event happens to be going on. I would have had an apple or banana for breakfast or possibly just coffee and plan a light dinner, like chicken and salad so that I could just enjoy a slice of pizza at lunch guilt free, knowing I had calories to play with. I'm not familiar with your diet plan so I'm not sure how far off of plan pizza is.

MoRiv1986

I have a friend who always brings her prepared meals with her, even when we go out to dinner. She is a fitness freak and I admire that.

battyg13

No. im very open about it to friends family colleagues and gym members.

why hide who you are, what you do and what you hope to become just because they dont want to change their lifestyle??

mcibty

I think the word diet in itself was a mistake to use!

Most people get used to it, and initially they'll make comments, but it soon becomes the norm.

I agree with eating before - Why put yourself in a position to have to resist temptations? Eat before, say you've eaten, entertain yourself while they pig out.

It's definitely about having the confidence to tell people you're not doing the same things as them.

Good luck!

SlimJanette

I do not hide that I am eating healthy. I even bring my scale with me if we are invited over to someone's house for dinner. If they want to talk then go ahead. It is not hurting me, I am the one that is being healthy.

Frankii_x

I generally don't really mention it to people but if I'm in one of those situations I just tell them I've been preparing my meals and if anyone asks why (usually they don't) you can say whatever reason you want - getting fitter, saving money whatever you like

Buddhasmiracle

Your husband made a valid point re "insane."
Why on earth are people so concerned about what other people think of what they are eating or not eating. You can't control what other people think anyway. Let it go and do what you want to do.

Mslmesq

Just call it a cleanse instead. Then they're either confused or interested. Just say, 'I'm doing this cleanse to rid toxins from my body'. If they're interested they'll ask. Otherwise they will just be scared of the 'toxins' in their own body and not want to know. ;-)

Coquette6

I don't mention dieting with my friends, because I usually get, "Oh one cookie won't hurt!" or "You're so tiny already!" If it's a matter of eating what you packed or buying something, budget can be a good excuse. "I packed my lunch, trying to cut down on money spent eating out." That should be a pretty acceptable reason to anyone you're with and leaves out the word "diet".

junction18

i used to try and hide my dieting but as you get older you realise that a lot of people are trying to cut down on food so do try to tell people that you are watching what you eat

NicolleLindgren

I don't hide that I'm on a "diet". I use that term lightly, because I'm trying not to classify what I'm doing as dieting per say. I adjust my eating on days when I'm going out with friends, or at a company lunch or whatever event happens to be going on. I would have had an apple or banana for breakfast or possibly just coffee and plan a light dinner, like chicken and salad so that I could just enjoy a slice of pizza at lunch guilt free, knowing I had calories to play with. I'm not familiar with your diet plan so I'm not sure how far off of plan pizza is.

^^^ Same here. If I was at a really good friend's house or had people over, I might bring/make my own food, but usually I'll just plan my day ahead for that meal.

katy_trail

i would eat before or after.

people would have to be deaf to not know something about me getting healthier.
i've been talking about it my whole life, although now i can actually talk about other subjects some of the time.

PosterPens

its a personal choice, i suppose. for me, even though i was extremely embarrassed to admit my weight gain, i made sure to let everyone know. it was easier for me to be held accountable for. do not self-sabotage yourself for the sake of others! be proud!

cwaters120

I don't hide my "diet" because its a LIFESTYLE for me - I have food allergies and people know it so why can't I eat healthier choices and let them know it? I am not telling them I don't "approve" of their choices, I just don't want those choices for ME and my health.

naturallyme36

im in that situation all the time. I'm now learning that if I show them how much I respect myself then they follow. After the first "no I'm ok" if they ask or try to push the offer again then I'm starting to have a firmer NO followed by, what part of that can't you get? they then usually say well ok, I hear ya or something like that. Today is the holiday and we all have to stay strong and remember why we're in this fight and determined to WIN! GOOD LUCK TO YOU :flowerforyou:

lithezebra

Everyone I know is on a diet. I sometimes hide the fact that I eat whole milk dairy products, red meat, and have calories allotted to treats, to avoid getting a lecture.

lacroyx

Nope, infact I proudly consume the pizza and beer infront of my friends. Sometimes they will give me a hard time about it. I just point out how much I've lost and haven't gained anything back. It's all about moderation. I am bad but not everyday bad.

MelsAuntie

I'm the opposite. I told all my friends. That way, I'm sure to stick to it out of pride alone. Actually it's been well over four months now and I'm having no trouble with the program, eat well, good results, I look and feel great. It's been easy and fun.

cmeade20

If you don't want to listen to the nonsense you could always just say you've been having some sort of digestive health issue- acid reflux or something like that. For some reason people are more able to MYOB with those things than a simple I watch what I eat.

Blacklance36

Im not dieting, I made a lifestyle change a year ago and all of my friends now just think Im a healthy eater.

Everyone knows that I seldom eat high calorie and fatty foods and they are so used to it that they never comment. I do get asked questions though...."How many calories do you think is in this meal" etc.
Im proud of the change I made and I never hide it.

feathernaut

I can be shy about it, but if someone notices I won't hide it. I also don't like the term 'dieting.' I always say I'm trying to eat healthier. If they ask why I'll say I want to lose weight and feel better. That simple for me.

I like the idea of bringing prepared meals when you go out to eat, but wouldn't the restaurant be mad about that? I've had a movie theater make me throw out my takeout before I could get into the movie, and coffee shops tell me I can't eat food from outside there. Just a thought.

trodney1104

I don't tell them I'm on a diet because I'm not. I'm changing my lifestyle. Many of my friends are overweight & eating is ALWAYS included in the fellowship/hangtime. I've simply learned to adjust . I find the healthiest options on the menu wherever we go. I look up the menu online & plan for the calories. If there are no healthy options (very rare), I eat before hand and have an iced tea while they eat. Occasionally someone will make a comment about my choices but then I gently remind that person that the choices I'm making are for the improvement of MY life. They are free to do what they want.

What I have learned is that people make weird/ poor comments because you are doing what they would like to be able to do. Their lack of conviction, will power, etc makes them uncomfortable so to feel better about their poor choices, they say things. Push past it & keep going. If the folks you're hanging w/ are always critical & unsupportive, maybe you should consider new & improved friendships as well.

We (Your MFP Family) will support & encourage you as you work to improve your life!

Peace & blessings be yours today!:happy:

PosterPens

yes, here in nyc we have calorie counts on everything. BEST INFORMATION TO HAVE EVER when making decisions on what to eat.

egnirysbust

I eat almost a full meal beforehand and then order something small from where ever I am. If any one says anything about it, I say that I'm not that hungry. There are a few friends that I don't feel self-conscious about mentioning that I'm on a diet around because they're in the same boat as me. I try to keep it to myself most of the time, though.