Home temptations/a non dieting partner
BigAnnieG
Posts: 89 Member
I'm interested to hear how people get around temptation around the house? I'm great at sticking to my meal plans and calories in the daytime, but the evenings are a killer. My partner is one of those lucky ones who doesn't need to diet and balances our healthy dinners with lots of junk snacks - and even when I've tried to replace with the healthier versions of things, or not buy the junk for my SO in the first place, it still somehow ends up in the house...
Most days I can resist. Yesterday was a great example: first, the office team ordered KFC for lunch but I stuck to my prawn salad. THEN my SO asked me to get KFC on the way home - so I stopped at Tesco first and picked up some salmon and greens for myself. Resisting KFC twice in one day I think is some kind of record. However, other days (especially weekends) are a killer.
What are your tricks and tips?
Most days I can resist. Yesterday was a great example: first, the office team ordered KFC for lunch but I stuck to my prawn salad. THEN my SO asked me to get KFC on the way home - so I stopped at Tesco first and picked up some salmon and greens for myself. Resisting KFC twice in one day I think is some kind of record. However, other days (especially weekends) are a killer.
What are your tricks and tips?
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Replies
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pre-logging my day has been a hugely useful tip for me. I sit down for 10 minutes in the morning, drink my coffee and pre-log what I intend to eat for the day. Play around with amounts and portions until I get it the way I want it, then I stick to the plan (more or less; I don't kill myself if something unexpected happens and the plan changes). Having a guideline, even if I end up changing something, helps me maintain focus and keep on track.0
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Thanks! I've tried to do that most days, but seem to only manage weekdays because I have no idea what the weekend holds... I should do it on weekends too! Weirdly, I seem to pre-log exercise more than I do food, but it has the same effect of forcing me to do it because I've committed to it.
Thanks for the insight
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How awesome are u for resisting KFC twice in one day I really miss KFC so u showed heaps of self control0
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Haha thanks for the props - it was an exceptional day, to be fair! I'm learning the willpower thing but sometimes if it's been a long day (or if the day before was leg day...) it's a lot harder to resist...0
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Why resist KFC? Have you looked at the nutritional information they provide? If I don't see it posted I ask for a copy of it.
KFC Kentucky Grilled Chicken Breast 1 piece is 180 calories
KFC Green Beans 1 side is 25 calories
KFC Mashed Potatoes (no gravy) 1 side is 90 calories
Total meal calories is 295
Yay for healthier options!
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Why resist KFC? Have you looked at the nutritional information they provide? If I don't see it posted I ask for a copy of it.
KFC Kentucky Grilled Chicken Breast 1 piece is 180 calories
KFC Green Beans 1 side is 25 calories
KFC Mashed Potatoes (no gravy) 1 side is 90 calories
Total meal calories is 295
Yay for healthier options!
Heh. Yeah if you go for the healthiest
The sides I liked best were wedges, corn, mashed yep with the gravy, and Mac and cheese if they had it
Each meal comes with a biscuit. Chicken can have dipping sauces available
If I trim it down to the bare bones the way you say, I might as well just make something at home myself
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When we get a bucket of KFC I always ask for half to be grilled. I also request one of the sides to be vegetable. Delicious without being too indulgent.
Good on you for sticking to your plan! My making different requests similar to others' choices, but not the same, is my method of working around temptation.0 -
Mmmm KFC. Zinger Tower Burger.....0
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I stop and ask myself "Do I really want that food or does it just smell good?" Most of the time, I don't actually want it. The more you practice declining food or choosing not to eat it, the easier it gets. That's really it--just like everything in life, the more you do it, the easier it gets.0
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Ha! I live with a DH who is a foot taller and almost a hundred pounds heavier than me, and so needs to eat a lot. And two teenaged boys -- and you probably know how they eat. For me it just comes down to willpower, and rationally realizing that their daily calorie needs are much higher than mine.0
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My girlfriend is both younger than me and fit. It's been a struggle to get her on board. She so far hasn't gotten into helping my food prep at all and most of the time she wants to grab some fast food for dinner. We got into it a little bit Saturday night because she was hungry and wanted something convenient. I had to just tell her that if she wanted to eat fast food she could go alone and eat it there, but eating like that is/was quite literally and without exaggeration killing me.
I've been on the straight and narrow for about two weeks now and my blood pressure is already starting to come down. I'm not going to start feeling like crap again for the sake of convenience.0 -
Oh yes! I feel the struggle. My partner snacks A LOT. So...some tips and tricks...I save most of my calories for the evenings at home. I stock up on things that I can snack on. He might have beer and chips...I'll drink sparkling water and have a couple 100-calorie packs or measure out a serving of the chips. I eat them very, very slowly! Haha. He might eat 6 biscuits. I'll eat 2. Etc. For the weekends, I know you said you find it hard to pre-log, but sometimes I pre-log 'quick add' calories...that way, I still have a sense of how to portion my day. Good luck!0
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I stop and ask myself "Do I really want that food or does it just smell good?" Most of the time, I don't actually want it. The more you practice declining food or choosing not to eat it, the easier it gets. That's really it--just like everything in life, the more you do it, the easier it gets.
This. Also, my husband is pretty understanding- while he isn't going to give up the snacks and high-calorie meals he loves (and can easily justify given his size and physically demanding job), he's good about buying ones I don't find as tempting or appealing, or keeping them in his car or at work, so they're not around me.
Example: He loves Chips Ahoy cookies, I would only eat them if they were the last food on earth. So Chips Ahoy are fine to be in the cabinet where another brand of cookie might be a struggle for me, and he makes sure to get Chips Ahoy when he knows I'm eating at a deficit.
Similarly, he'll ask me what my dinner plan is before he cooks- if I have nothing planned and have a lot of calories left for the day, he'll make something we both like that fits my plan. If I have something planned, or very few calories left, he'll make something for himself that's not tempting to me, like a red meat main dish (I don't eat meat) so I can eat something light without feeling deprived watching him eat a meal I'd enjoy.0 -
I prelog and make whatever I want to eat within my calories. I make tasty things, so I don't feel the need to eat the high calorie stuff most of the time.0
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I'm interested to hear how people get around temptation around the house? I'm great at sticking to my meal plans and calories in the daytime, but the evenings are a killer. My partner is one of those lucky ones who doesn't need to diet and balances our healthy dinners with lots of junk snacks - and even when I've tried to replace with the healthier versions of things, or not buy the junk for my SO in the first place, it still somehow ends up in the house...
Most days I can resist. Yesterday was a great example: first, the office team ordered KFC for lunch but I stuck to my prawn salad. THEN my SO asked me to get KFC on the way home - so I stopped at Tesco first and picked up some salmon and greens for myself. Resisting KFC twice in one day I think is some kind of record. However, other days (especially weekends) are a killer.
What are your tricks and tips?
My OH is not dieting but we coordinate. He wanted wings Friday and I reminded him that we were having them Sunday. We plan ahead for pizza night so I can get in some extra exercise. Etc.0 -
Living with my flat mate is HARD. Just the last week she had Chinese takeaway twice and a kfc and there was no way of escaping the smell all through the apartment. It smelt delicious. She was apologetic (not that she had to be) and I just kind of sat in my room with my small bowl of brown pasta and pesto and thought about the end game. I have occasions coming up that I want to look good for, and for me that's more important. When my partner is home on leave that's a different story - we don't see each other that often or it can be very sporadic I.e. Once a month or every few weeks, so I just step things up a bit leading up to that so I can relax more with what I'll eat when he's home 0
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emmycantbemeeko wrote: »I stop and ask myself "Do I really want that food or does it just smell good?" Most of the time, I don't actually want it. The more you practice declining food or choosing not to eat it, the easier it gets. That's really it--just like everything in life, the more you do it, the easier it gets.
This. Also, my husband is pretty understanding- while he isn't going to give up the snacks and high-calorie meals he loves (and can easily justify given his size and physically demanding job), he's good about buying ones I don't find as tempting or appealing, or keeping them in his car or at work, so they're not around me.
Example: He loves Chips Ahoy cookies, I would only eat them if they were the last food on earth. So Chips Ahoy are fine to be in the cabinet where another brand of cookie might be a struggle for me, and he makes sure to get Chips Ahoy when he knows I'm eating at a deficit.
Similarly, he'll ask me what my dinner plan is before he cooks- if I have nothing planned and have a lot of calories left for the day, he'll make something we both like that fits my plan. If I have something planned, or very few calories left, he'll make something for himself that's not tempting to me, like a red meat main dish (I don't eat meat) so I can eat something light without feeling deprived watching him eat a meal I'd enjoy.
Sounds like a wonderfully balanced relationship, let alone diet! Lovely to hear he is so supportivekshama2001 wrote: »
My OH is not dieting but we coordinate. He wanted wings Friday and I reminded him that we were having them Sunday. We plan ahead for pizza night so I can get in some extra exercise. Etc.
That makes so much sense - I think meal planning would work well. We often buy things without reckoning how to turn it into a meal (so we'll get mince, chicken breast and chicken thighs on a Tesco three-for-a-tenner deal and then wonder what to make with them). Great tip, thanks!Laurasparkle90 wrote: »Living with my flat mate is HARD. Just the last week she had Chinese takeaway twice and a kfc and there was no way of escaping the smell all through the apartment. It smelt delicious. She was apologetic (not that she had to be) and I just kind of sat in my room with my small bowl of brown pasta and pesto and thought about the end game. I have occasions coming up that I want to look good for, and for me that's more important. When my partner is home on leave that's a different story - we don't see each other that often or it can be very sporadic I.e. Once a month or every few weeks, so I just step things up a bit leading up to that so I can relax more with what I'll eat when he's home
Ooohhh I feel for you! When I first started losing weight it was nigh on impossible with the amount of wonderful-smelling food that came through the house thanks to a large number of lazy housemates who loved to order. Seriously, they'd order chinese for delivery...FROM THE SHOP ACROSS THE ROAD. I found brushing my teeth helped resist - all you can taste and smell is mint, and that doesn't mix so well with sweet and sour pork balls! 0 -
danika2point0 wrote: »Oh yes! I feel the struggle. My partner snacks A LOT. So...some tips and tricks...I save most of my calories for the evenings at home. I stock up on things that I can snack on. He might have beer and chips...I'll drink sparkling water and have a couple 100-calorie packs or measure out a serving of the chips. I eat them very, very slowly! Haha. He might eat 6 biscuits. I'll eat 2. Etc. For the weekends, I know you said you find it hard to pre-log, but sometimes I pre-log 'quick add' calories...that way, I still have a sense of how to portion my day. Good luck!
Ah, I hadn't thought of doing it this way - great idea, thank you! I forget about quick add. I usually get home with a deficit (including a pre-logged dinner), but that often reduces or disappears completely thanks to snacks. I don't like spicy food so I might insist that SO gets only spicy crisps and chilli chocolate so I don't even think to touch it...!0 -
I'm interested to hear how people get around temptation around the house? I'm great at sticking to my meal plans and calories in the daytime, but the evenings are a killer. My partner is one of those lucky ones who doesn't need to diet and balances our healthy dinners with lots of junk snacks - and even when I've tried to replace with the healthier versions of things, or not buy the junk for my SO in the first place, it still somehow ends up in the house...
Most days I can resist. Yesterday was a great example: first, the office team ordered KFC for lunch but I stuck to my prawn salad. THEN my SO asked me to get KFC on the way home - so I stopped at Tesco first and picked up some salmon and greens for myself. Resisting KFC twice in one day I think is some kind of record. However, other days (especially weekends) are a killer.
What are your tricks and tips?
My partner is trying to get motivated at the moment to get back in the gym, but his work schedule and the fact that we have a new puppy makes it hard. Him and his brother (who lives with us) are able to eat junk food, drink beer and do whatever they please really without gaining too much. A little bit of exercise and they are back at their ideal shape. Not me. I have to really fight the urge to eat and drink as much as they do, but I know that I will not 100% resist, therefore I leave space within my calorie intake to have some "extras" or work out harder. For example, this past weekend I most definitely over-ate and over-drank with it being the Super Bowl. I also took a few days off from the gym. Now, I just have to get motivated to hit the gym and stick to a regimented diet once again. Take it one step at a time. Pre-log when you can, and hit the gym as often as possible. For me, the temptation to go home after work is much too great (I get off at 6PM and have an hour and a half commute which puts me at 7:30PM arrival time, when I then have to make dinner/do errands/clean) so I try to get to the gym in the morning when I can. Tonight, I'm shoving a few errands and gym time into the evening as well and I know I'm gonna regret it when I get home at 11PM!0 -
I plan dinners for the week and cook.
I prelog my whole day. I log dinner, lunch, breakfast and then snacks. I eat a smaller breakfast and save more calories for later in the day. I allow calories for a snack in the evening.
I'm eating food I really enjoy every day. Prelogging helps a lot.
I can mostly eat the same foods as my family just appropriate portions for me or with more vegetables on my plate.
We only eat out one meal a week. I look up and plan what I will order. I'not getting a triple bacon cheeseburger with fries and a shake but I can easy fit a regular burger, salad and unsweetend tea into my day.
I drink mostly water or unsweetened tea and save my calories for food.0 -
My hubby-to-be was always fit and active and was never a great fan of junk food or take aways. Back in the days, I'd order in a pizza or something and he'd eat it without complaints, but he'd never feel very well afterwards.
So since I got on board with cooking fresh foods every evening, he's in 7th heaven.
It does also make it much easier for me, as I don't have anyone moaning about what I'm cooking.
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I wish MFP had a like function on the forums. They probably don't because I'd abuse it too much though.
Thanks so much everyone for your advice! 0 -
My fiance loves his pint of Ben and jerrys ice cream in bed every night... Ugh! Most of the time I can't resist but if it's around that time of the month I indulge. I log it for the next day so I can work it off.0
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I do the grocery shopping and the cooking. On days I don't feel like cooking, my husband and son tend to eat frozen pizza or fast food. I usually have a salad or leftovers. We do go out on occasion, but I try to make good choices, log it and move on. As for snack foods, I only buy things that I won't be tempted to eat. So, that means no cookies at our house, but ice cream is in the freezer.
My suggestion is to make a list of things that you feel you could pass on eating without too much trouble and ask your SO to stick to the list for the time being. I think it does get easier over time.0 -
I have a cupboard shelf set aside for my boyfriend's snacks. All of his chips and cookies go on the higher shelf. This way it's out of sight and when I do have to open it (I keep my measuring cups and vitamins on the lower shelf) his goodies are not at eye level and I really don't think of what is in there unless I need to restock. He doesn't live with me but this is a good way for me to keep these items on hand for when he comes over and I'm not tempted to get into them because I forget that they are there.0
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My husband is very tall and thin and I am very short and small so it's definitely a big difference in our diet. But I honestly don't pay attention to him anymore. He sometimes buys snacks he wants and puts them up high so I can't reach lol. Sometimes I'll want one and I just log it, no big deal. We go out to eat and I either fit it into my day or eat a healthier option. I used to get more easily derailed by his eating habits until I started doing the cico approach and now I pretty much eat what I want as long as it fits my macros. No more intense cravings for ice cream when ice cream isn't an off limit food.
I should add I have 4 young kids so sometimes it's hard with them since I'm actually serving their food or helping them with it. It's hard not to want to grab a handful of cheez its as I'm bustling around getting them food. But it helps me to log everything. Handfuls of Cheez its add up quickly and they don't fill me up at all so I can resist more when I'm aware of what I'm eating.0 -
I'm short so I have my hubby put the good stuff where I can't reach it without effort. Also, I have my own special DARK CHOCOLATE squares and have threatened to will seriously injure the fam if they eat them. It's no hardship to pass up the cheezits or chips when I know I've got a square of intense dark with sea salt waiting for me.0
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first thing. SELF CONTROL. if you are craving some junky food your boyfriend/grilfriend has in the house, chew gum instead. brush your teeth instead. if it's hunger, go for a tasty yet healthier option. and don't forget to drink water!!
second thing. SELF CONTROL. it's really mind over matter. JUST DON'T EAT IT. i grab my belly and jiggle it. that really helps me kick cravings to the curb.
last thing. my boyfriend really really helps me.
ie.
yesterday night he asked me if i wanted a snickers ice cream bar. OBVIOUSLY YES.
but after hesitating, i told him that i did not have enough calories left for it. even though it smelled so good as he ate it -actually he had TWO, while i cuddled him... he did not press it or say "oh come on" or "do you want just a bite?" it also helps that i say no in a nice way. sometimes i even thank him for offering. if i say it in a snotty way like "why would you even think i'd want one, you know i watch my calories." i'm bound to have a worse time watching him it the damn snickers ice cream.0 -
My hubby will sometimes make food and bring it in our room to watch TV. For those times I keep a bar of 90% lindt chocolate and a bag of almonds (usually the smokehouse ones) in our room so I can snack on things rather than try to pick off his plate. The dark chocolate is so bitter that by the time I'm done with one square I can't stand anything else. If it's something I'm really craving like KFC or really like I just ask him to eat it in another room and come back when he's done.
He works retail and gets like 15k steps in a day and that's his one big meal of the day so he always goes all out and doesn't gain a lb.0 -
Pre-logging sometimes helps...or at least having a general idea what your day will look like. One thing I've done, and my husband has done likewise, I have a "snack box" that has protein bars and portioned out pretzel servings, and almonds - healthy snacks basically - a "safe box" that I can raid and not feel guilty about it. I also keep plenty of yogurt and string cheese around too - in the dorm fridge in the laundry room. That way I don't have to go into the kitchen and see any other "goodies" my husband and/or kids are having and be tempted.
It's also gotten easier over time to let him have what he wants and I just have what I want. (I do like the grilled chicken at KFC. They have green beans too. )
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