Self control or controlling one's environment?

Guys, does anyone else find it impossible to exercise self-control when going to a tempting food situation, such as a friend's birthday dinner that's buffet-style, or a three day training at an all you can eat place?

I suck at self control. I success when I control my environment instead.

Is that wrong? What do other people do? How do you survive dinner at a friend's place? Should I just not go to food activities with friends for a while? I fail every time. I can tell myself til the cows come home that I won't overeat, but I do.

Advice, pls!

Thanks
Max

Replies

  • ctgirlscout
    ctgirlscout Posts: 90 Member
    I try to save up calories if I know I'm going out, and then try to make good choices when eating. For example, at a bbq recently, I ate meat without a bun to save calories. I also drank water rather than high-calorie soft drinks. I keep telling myself the food is not worth it, and I can eat certain things after I reach my goal if I still want it. I actually find as I go along that I want certain things less and less!
  • shana_phoenix83
    shana_phoenix83 Posts: 98 Member
    I'm in the same boat, and I have found that if I really want to lose weight and stay on track, I have to avoid the scenarios where I know I lose my self-control.
  • I started out doing very tight portion control, and shrank my stomach. I know now I can't eat the quantities that a lot of people do without feeling very ill. (Do it once or twice, and you will NOT want to do it again.) That does rather solve the buffet issue.

    I find that the problem I have at other people's houses is more that there won' t be food I can eat (I have some food allergies) rather than eating too much, and quite often bring a dish that I can have and can share with others.
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
    Awesome responses!
  • TinGirl314
    TinGirl314 Posts: 430 Member
    I've taken a lot of time to learn about food...I can pretty much guess the calorie count of most items.
    It takes a lot of dedication, but when I think of the ingredients and how it's going to pile up...I just can't do it. Lol.

    That sounds really weird now that I look over it again. :p
  • Thanks guys. I'm thinking I need to do what Shana did and avoid social gatherings around food.
    I know how to make wise choices but I don't make them. I do not have self control. When I have a normal day - work gym home - I'm totally fine.