Overcoming Weakness... Alone or not?

2012asv

Since I began all of this, I’ve done very well with not giving into my weaknesses. Once I get rolling on something I keep going. Recently, however, I’ve been out of commission due to severe shin splints. This has forced me to stop for recovery. I still eat well and what not, but over this past weekend I found myself indulging in some old habits that got me into this mess in the first place… because I’m not in my usual routine.

The problem is, that when my husband and I hang out in the evenings, he likes to snack and snack! He does not wish to limit or “watch” what he’s eating, because frankly- he doesn’t need to. I am the one struggling with this right now- it’s not about him. It’s just hard for me not to give in sometimes!

I was going to have a serious talk with him about this tonight, because I feel like I need his help to overcome this… but then I realized that this is MY problem, MY weakness… MY willpower is in question here.

ULTIMATELY, I have to learn to do this with or without temptation… but I’m struggling a bit right now. If I were a smoker trying to quit, and I asked him not to smoke around me… it would be the same concept right? I just don’t know if it’s fair to ask him to change his ways to make things easier for ME???

Wonka752

You are doing great. Just tweak the evening habits a bit. When he starts grazing, read or go walk around the block or, water the flowerbeds or crochet. I do the crochet thing, works great, my hands are busy and looks like family will get some afgans for Xmas. You can do this, You are alot stronger than man. That's for sure.

downsizinghoss

You don't have to ask him to change, but you should make him aware of how hard it can make things for you.
I doubt he wants to make it harder intentionally. If I were doing something that bothered my wife, I would hope she would tell me, even if I didn't think it was something I should have to change.

Dragonwolf

You are doing great. Just tweak the evening habits a bit. When he starts grazing, read or go walk around the block or, water the flowerbeds or crochet. I do the crochet thing, works great, my hands are busy and looks like family will get some afgans for Xmas. You can do this, You are alot stronger than man. That's for sure.

Seconded.

Also, I don't think there's any harm in talking to him about how you feel. You and he are together. No matter what, the things one of you does will have some affect on the other. You can't force him to make changes, but if he respects you, he'll at least be receptive to the conversation and may take your feelings into consideration when he starts snacking. Who knows, he may not even realize what he's doing and might start being more mindful in general about what and when he's eating.

Sunpoet

I'm not sure it would be such a bad thing to talk this over with your hubby. You don't have to ask him to cut out his favorite snacks completely but just to be a little more considerate of your struggles against eating it. I would approach it from the point of view that while eating that stuff may not hurt him right now, some where down the road it will catch up to him. So, getting into a better eating habit would be a huge benefit to him as well as show support for you.

My husband has a huge sweet tooth and although he lost his excess weight and has been able to keep it off for three years now, he does eat his favorite stuff in moderation. He also knows I struggle with certain foods. My weakness is chips , I love salty crunchy things. So does he. So I asked him to at least buy the ones he knows I don't like (BBQ flavored, kettle chips, etc). That way if they had to be in the house or I saw him eating them, I wouldn't be tempted to grab a few handfuls....which always leads to more than just a few, lol. This way, he gets to indulge a little in his favorite things and I can stay on track.

tigerlily8045

So I asked him to at least buy the ones he knows I don't like (BBQ flavored, kettle chips, etc). That way if they had to be in the house or I saw him eating them, I wouldn't be tempted to grab a few handfuls....which always leads to more than just a few, lol. This way, he gets to indulge a little in his favorite things and I can stay on track.

^^ This and also, if Hubby is just eating away I will pull out 5 chips or whatever half a serving is so that I had some yet I am not sitting with the bag in my lap.

2012asv

Thanks for all the feedback! I did talk with him yesterday and he "wants" to be more supportive and not eat crap around me all the time. What a relief!