Pointers on incorporating diet into life at home?

Isn't the motivation inherent in the fact that you're spinning your wheels by undoing all of your progress over the weekend?

I'm not trying to state the obvious here, but at some point if you were to fail enough times and come to the realization that your weekend behaviors are preventing you from reaching your goals, then wouldn't you change those behaviors if your goal is important enough to you?

How often are you going out to eat?

What is preventing you from logging in on the weekends? It takes about 5 to 10 minutes to log your food. Why are you making the choice to neglect this?

It is tough isn't it? I face the same with hubby and kids. Let me tell you what helps me, I do most of the food shopping and when hubby does it, he knows what NOT to bring into the house. Hubby and kids are not dieting, but I am raising them to eat well. So, we just do not buy cookies, sugar cereal, etc. We do once in a while buy ice cream or something for a treat, but these foods are not in the house regularly, and therefore not available for those cravings. We do not drink soda, always eat brown rice or whole wheat bread, and do not fry food, so that is never in the house, etc. Cuts a lot of calories. When I do have a craving, I reach for a 100calorie pack of something or another.

I appreciate sidesteels tough love, but I am here to tell you I can relate. It took me a long time to get it together, but with practice and commitment it gets easier. When we go out to dinner it is so tough, and I can tell the days I will have will power and some days I say forget it...and cannot control the desire to have dessert or something my family is having. Those days I chalk up to a cheat day etc. I found myself caving too often lately, so now I am trying to get back in the game and stop doing that.

Can you change your shopping habits for food you keep on hand and not allow certain things in the house? How about getting the whole family to eat better....not diet, but better food choices. Also, set some goals when you go out....like, this weekend maybe commit to cutting out one trigger. Is it soda for you, fried food, desserts? So let's say first you allow yourself 1 soda, but no refills and no dessert. Then keep at it and then cut the soda out altogether. Or you can just say these are the things I WILL NOT EAT, and just don't. Tough I know. But I have that list. Took time but I never eat those things now. Get hubby on board for some encouragement and tough love when he sees you going for certain things. Good luck! You can do it.

Can you really remember how "delicious" that super sauced up bacon double cheeseburger was the next day? Two days later? Generally, I use that as a rule of thumb when ordering out, and it helps me choose the better option. Granted, I'm not saying cheeseburgers are the devil, and should at all cost be avoided... anything in moderation and all that jazz. It's just one of the things that has helped me in the past when making dining choices. Plus, food that used to taste amazing to me, now tastes too sweet... or too greasy...

Also, if your family doesn't want to eat "healthy"... fix a separate option for yourself, or just moderate. Even though it's a huge bonus to get them to eat healthier, especially when talking about kids, you're doing this for yourself and realizing that will go a long way.

*And not everything works the same for everyone. Find the motivations and tips that work for you. The above has just been from my experience.

SideSteel, weekends are hectic and I guess I haven't gotten into the habit of logging in yet since its just my second week. I do realize that its crazy to ignore my obligations during the weekends, and it is something that I don't want to happen again which is why I have asked for pointers from others who might share these struggles. I stated that I don't go out to eat often, I guess thats why I feel like a little splurge is ok since I work so hard during the week. I realize now that I am wrong, and hopefully it wont happen again.

I'm not suggesting that eating out is wrong, but I am curious how often it happens. It IS fine to treat yourself. But if the frequency or magnitude of those "treats" prevents you from making progress then something has to change.

You said the family was not on a diet. Such a dirty little word! I explained to my family that I needed some help to get healthy and the eating out all the time and the bags of candy they thought they were being nice in giving me were really bad for me. Now they are on board, my hubby is actually eating alot of the same food I am and my kids, who granted are adults, are more understanding and helpful, I think your younger kids could be helpful to.

I find that pre-logging food works for me, particularly when going out to eat. I look up the restaurants nutrition guide online. I make my choice and I log it. When I get to the restaurant, I don't even open the menu to be tempted by anything else. I also will divide my food in half and pack it up before I even start eating.

It is a lot harder when you have a family but the point is to have healthy habits and those should be shared with the family too. I know kids enjoy their junk food but maybe you could turn it into a 'lets help mom' type of situation. They can learn healthy habits at the same time.

Also, when eating at home in the evenings, fix your plate before you sit down, no going back for seconds. Keep busy doing activities instead of snacking in the evening.

You do have to remain dedictaed every single day. You are dedicated to your family every single day, you have to give the same dedication to your health and yourself.

Planning is key for me! Before I leave work during the day, I plan out my supper and log it. This way I have a plan and I stick to it. Do this for the weekend as well. Plan out what you are going to eat each day and it makes life so much easier!

I agree planning out your day in advance, even by a day, if it is not in my plan or list it is not mine to eat. I had to realize I can eat anything and everything I want just not all on the same day. If I know I am going to eat out or be less in control in the evening then I eat less for breakfast, skip the morning snack and afternoon snacks and save those calories for the evening, or a beer or wine.

If going out I too look at the menu in advance, and log several choices, I load up my diary with all the things I think I might like. Depending on how my day goes calories and exercise I delete those items which will put me over or way over. Seeing the calories lined up waiting sort of helps, then when you get to the restaurant, don't even look at the menu, go with your pre picked choice.

When this is not working, I try to stick to a few simple rules, no fried foods and no stuffing myself to uncomfortable, these alone help reduce calories. Also, figure on taking some home, even if you box it when the meal arrives, I have done this too or ask the server to do this before it comes to the table.

Also if you think you can't keep in control, maybe eat at maintenance on the weekend, or figure maybe you are eating too few calories during the week and so now you have been making up for it on the weekend. If you have an aggressive calorie goal of 1300 during the week, maybe that daily total should be higher so you don't feel deprived and then going way over weekend.

And bottom line, you do have to make it an everyday (or nearly) everyday commitment, you said you are in the early stages of change, over time it does become more habit. I have been at this over a year now. Some days are a breeze and I am happy and satisfied with my choices, other days it is still hard...very hard. But shopping for 8-10's is WAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY better then barely fitting into 16-18's.

I will work out harder on the weekend and stay more active. You will have more calories to eat and not feel so guilty. Don't stop logging.

Unlike a lot of people on here, I'd say I eat out fairly often, probably once a week.

Once a week = fairly often? I ate out three times on Saturday alone, not counting the froyo from TCBY!

I just have to add---I def agree with logging no matter how ugly it is. I went on vacation during the summer and for one full week I consumed nearly 4,000 a day! Between alcohol and grease...it was disgusting!! FARRRR from my goal of 1,200 to 1,500 cals a day! But when I came back, after looking at all that crap- it made my resolve that much stronger to get back into the groove. I had gained 7 full pounds from that (still working them off but the scale is steadily dropping a pound or two each week and I'm ALMOST back to where I started) and I never want to go back there. I have my binges (I ate a 3lb steak last weekend) but if you put everything in moderation (That's legit ALL I ate that day) you'll still lose what you want to! I still lost a pound and a half after that! And my weigh day is 2 days after. It's all about how ya work it! Never feel you CAN'T have something. Just know you can't go crazy with it.