Family Gatherings, tips to resist overeating?

kristinejramirez
kristinejramirez Posts: 5
in Motivation and Support
My family is pretty big and make a point to have a little pot-luck gathering EVERY weekend. Which is part of the reason I gained weight. I lived on my own for a bit, and now that I have moved back with the family I am slammed every weekend with a Smörgåsbord of food and people encouraging me (well everyone really) to "eat eat!"

This is my first week of eating well and am mentality preparing myself for the temptations ahead. As of right now, I don't want to tell everyone I'm dieting or trying to eat clean/well... I don't want to jinx my progress.

How do you resist temptations in an environment like this?? Without making a big deal and letting everyone know about your diet?

Replies

  • sixpacklady
    sixpacklady Posts: 582 Member
    One thing I do is eat something healthy, especially good protein before the party so that I eat less at the party. The temptation is always there, always try to focus on eating the healthier stuff there and the conversations, rather than just food.

    Its a struggle, I know...
  • underwater77
    underwater77 Posts: 331 Member
    if you don't make a big deal about it, i doubt they will. i have a family gathering today also. i made sure to get a really hard workout in this morning so that i can enjoy a glass of wine or 2 and have prime rib tonight.

    i think a great control mechanism in this setting is portion size. if you want it, have it - just don't have a lot of it.
  • cgirlygirl
    cgirlygirl Posts: 49
    I agree! Eat healthy before the event! Also, drink lots of water! It will make you feel full. Then you can believe yourself when you tell your family you are already full :) And try not to hang out directly around all of the food.
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    Since when are they in charge of what you eat? Think of it this way: if they encouraged you to jump off a bridge, would you do that, too? :tongue:
  • brynnsmom
    brynnsmom Posts: 945 Member
    This may sound ridiculous, but these types of gatherings were my downfall! I've become "that person" who's constantly keeping the counters tidy, dishes washed/dried, etc - regardless if the event is at my house or another family members'. I probably annoy them, but it's easy to avoid the snacks and seconds when you're busy and distracted.
  • deladypilot
    deladypilot Posts: 618 Member
    Anytime I have a function like that to go to, I take a fruit tray with me. Either make it myself or pick it up at the store. It helps for when you really need something sweet. You could also make a veggie dish of some sort to take with you.

    Like someone else mentioned, if you do not say anything to anyone then most likely no one will notice your new eating habits and wont do the ...."Common on, its only 1" thing to you
  • bearwith
    bearwith Posts: 525 Member
    Drink water every half hour, it will fill your tummy and reduce your appetite.

    Go for a smaller plate.

    Only take half of what you think you can eat - you can always go back for more afterwards.

    Fill your plate with veggies first, the the fatty stuff.

    Put your fork down between each mouthful.

    Chat to somebody between each mouthful.
  • TropicalFlowerz
    TropicalFlowerz Posts: 1,990 Member
    Drink water every half hour, it will fill your tummy and reduce your appetite.

    Go for a smaller plate.

    Only take half of what you think you can eat - you can always go back for more afterwards.

    Fill your plate with veggies first, the the fatty stuff.

    Put your fork down between each mouthful.

    YES !!!!! THIS!!!

    Chat to somebody between each mouthful.
  • stormtruck2
    stormtruck2 Posts: 118 Member
    if they encouraged you to jump off a bridge, would you do that, too? :tongue:

    No but there are some I would happily push off a bridge!!:noway: :laugh:
  • acstansell
    acstansell Posts: 567 Member
    - use the smallest plate possible
    - try to stick with the healthiest stuff possible
    - fill up on water before going and during mostly water while there
    - if you bring stuff, bring the healthy choice and eat it.
    - If you want to have something taste, have a small portion.
    - work out either before or after
  • calamity71
    calamity71 Posts: 207 Member
    Potluck...so are you bringing something? Make it a fruit salad, or something healthy and fill your plate with that. hit the Vegies for snacking...BUT all snacking needs to go on a plate so you can see exactly what you will eat. Because if you start picking and grazing you will be in for a disaster. I had a Happy new year potluck at work last week and I brought a healthy salad and then only picked a few other things that were brought, one was a fruit salad and the other was another salad. I should have grabbed some protein, but there wasn't any that wasn't covered in excessive calories.

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