Please help me with family situations...

That's a hard one, and I also have a hard time eating right around family. The only solution is that you have to make the decision not to overindulge (a little pizza, cake and ice cream is OK) and then don't do it. You could try eating slowly so that your family sees you with the food for a while, maybe not knowing it's the same piece of pizza you were eating last time they looked. You could bring a big salad (for everyone) and serve yourself a large portion of salad (to help fill you up) with just a slice or two of pizza. Bottom line is deciding whether you or someone else is going to dictate your eating habits. Sorry so blunt, I don't know any other way to say it.

{{hugs}} how about setting an example for them? teach them that you can enjoy family gatherings without lots of fattening foods, etc? i know it's difficult...hang in there & STAY STRONG! just forget about yesterday and move on...

I have a hard time with this as well, but to be honest, it's just something you have to do for yourself. You HAVE to learn to ignore their comments, or just explain, "I'm watching my diet" or "I'm trying to eat healthier" or something like that. that's what I tell people at work when I turn down goodies that are passed around. It gets easier over time... (I can attest to that personally!) I read a book that compared learning to say No to building a muscle - it starts out weak, but the more you use it/exercise it, the stronger it gets. I think you did the right things - eating before hand, drinking water, etc., so now know that you have to mentally coach yourself next time and have responses ready for when people comment/ask why you're not eating.

Good luck!

It was one slip up! It's okay!

Your family should be supportive with your goals to change you life, kindly remind them of that. Maybe next time, they could do a sandwich platter?

When my sister and I visit my parents, it used to be "pizza sunday" also. We'd binge on tons of pizza, beer and chips and play board games.
I realize that HAD to stop. Now, I cook healthy meals for them on sundays! My sister and I prep the food and cook it together. Not only does it taste better and is healthier, it's a great bonding experience! We have much more fun doing it. Maybe you could try that?

Either way, you're doing great and you're aware! Keep it up!

I have been on my journey for about 2 years now and have lost 50 lbs since I started.....(i've gained a few back and lost them again as well) I deal with that every Sunday when we go over to my parents house and have our Sunday dinners. They cook very un healthy and are all over weight. They always give me a hard time and I finally just had to get mad one day and tell them look this makes me happy, eating healthy and caring what my health is like makes me happy and enough is enough. They still tease me every now and then but you just have to grow tough skin and let it all roll off your back. just keep reminding yourself why you are on this journey and who it benifits. you can do it hang in their. try to keep in mind also they probably aren't doing to be hurtfull its hard for people to change their habbits

keep up the good work you can do it

I just had to deal with a similar situation last weekend.... was at a friend's house for a BBQ. The food wasn't the problem; it was alcohol! I don't drink alcohol; never have. (other than some crazy times in high school, etc.. but, I digress..)

Anyway, my friends were trying so hard (as they always do!) to get me to do a shot because it was my birthday. I mean, it was pathetic! "Come on! Just one shot! It's your birthday!... blah blah"

So, I turned to my friend's 6 year old daughter and said, " See Hannah, this is what is called peer pressure. Everyone is trying to make me do something that I don't want to do. But, I'm just going to keep saying "no" because I don't want to do it. You should never let anyone pressure you into doing something that you don't want to do".

My friends felt pretty foolish at that point and let it go! :laugh:

You'll never have control over what other people say and do, so you need to focus your energy on what you do and how you will react when people around you don't quite "get it." You were on the right track when you had a game plan for what you were going to do, so that's great! Next time, include in your game plan that you won't let anybody derail you. People may get used to it, and they may not. That's the part you have no control over, and that can be tough. Being prepared mentally beforehand helps. You can be firm in your convictions without being overly verbal about it. You can answer people's questions without reacting to less-than-sensitive comments. They may surprise you and catch on quicker than you think! Good luck.

I just had to deal with a similar situation last weekend.... was at a friend's house for a BBQ. The food wasn't the problem; it was alcohol! I don't drink alcohol; never have. (other than some crazy times in high school, etc.. but, I digress..)

Anyway, my friends were trying so hard (as they always do!) to get me to do a shot because it was my birthday. I mean, it was pathetic! "Come on! Just one shot! It's your birthday!... blah blah"

So, I turned to my friend's 6 year old daughter and said, " See Hannah, this is what is called peer pressure. Everyone is trying to make me do something that I don't want to do. But, I'm just going to keep saying "no" because I don't want to do it. You should never let anyone pressure you into doing something that you don't want to do".

My friends felt pretty foolish at that point and let it go! :laugh:

What a great way to get people to realize that what they are doing is silly. I will keep this in mind for future situations of my own.

Everyone's had such great ideas. My thought is that you should listen to what your body is saying. No one can argue with "I'm full"...they can try though.LOL

Take the splurage, Just eat slowly - drink lots of water and when you are full....stop. Don't let anyone else bully you into going further.....

I'm a vegetarian, and deal with similar issues around "well meaning" friends and family.

All I can say is that you have to be confident in who you are and why you're doing what you're doing. It's the same with any situation where others are pressuring you, either directly or by killing you with kindness - smoking, drinking, eating meat or unhealthy foods, anything like that.

I do relate to what you're going through. I was recently on a trip with a friend, J, and one other person I didn't know well, M. M was kind of getting up in arms about my trying to find a restaurant with vegetarian options. I should mention we were in a place that had several eateries nearby, so it wasn't like it was the only food for 100 miles. Had that been the case, I'd have made do. I wouldn't have eaten meat, but I would have done something like eating a burger without the patty or something along those lines.

M kept saying things like "Well, they killed the cows already, one burger won't kill you", or "Order it but just don't eat it".

I just kept saying "No, I don't eat meat." despite what she said. My choices are mine. End of story. I do NOT eat meat. Others can believe and choose as they see fit, but I don't personally believe in eating another living being. I had no qualms with HER eating meat, I just wanted to find somewhere that I could have a good meal too.

It wasn't easy, and it did cause a little tension. But, by sticking to my beliefs, I know I won't face the same situation again, because M will know that I won't bend on my choices. Same thing when I quit smoking 4 years ago. There was no "Just one" and not "Come on, you're out. Everyone smokes when they go out." It was just "No, I quit" or "No, I don't smoke". Since I have been vegetarian, and made it clear that I will under absolutely no circumstances eat meat, I've found others are more willing to make compromises of their own without my saying so. A couple weeks ago, some friends wanted to go to Buffalo Wild Wings. Without my having to say anything, someone piped up and said "Oh wait, you're vegetarian now. Why don't we go to Culver's instead? They have veggie burgers there, and I kind of want ice cream anyway". Nobody had any issues with it.

If I were you, I would talk with the extended family and say you know they meant well, but you're changing your lifestyle and would like them to respect that. Let them know they can do as they like, but you'll be making different choices and will look out for yourself, either by eating food they provide that's healthy and ONLY that food, or by bringing your own.

And then say "No thanks, I'm watching my weight". And mean it. They will only continue to push if they think it will get them somewhere.