Having memorial day bbq with a saboteur

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carrieoffen
carrieoffen Posts: 46 Member
edited May 2017 in Food and Nutrition
my mother, well intentioned, but is always pushing food on me. She believes women of our family are born and destined to be big.

i know so far shes making hulu chicken (?), fruit salad, corn on the cob and grilled veggies. So i think i can track and eyeball portions but i dont know how to account for unknown extra (like butter on the veggies).

And i just need sone inner mantra when shes starts pushing food on me.

Replies

  • mom216
    mom216 Posts: 287 Member
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    mantra.... I am kind and loving to myself. Today I choose to take care of myself.
  • Penthesilea514
    Penthesilea514 Posts: 1,189 Member
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    You could also bring something to share, that way you can eat part of what she made that you can estimate and eat some of what you brought. A summer salad, veggies, etc. Or try to eat lightly in the morning so that you can have the bulk of your calories at the BBQ.

    That is hard though, to have someone push food on you. Usually I say something like I am full and everything was delicious and thank you. If someone pushes harder, I say I will take some leftovers home (and then either portion them out or toss them). If you haven't had a clear conversation with her (it sounds like you may have) but if not and she won't stop, then let her know how you feel. I am so sorry that she is not supportive, but you are in this for your health and you can't please everyone. That is something I would try to remember in those situations too.

    Good luck.
  • toxikon
    toxikon Posts: 2,384 Member
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    She thinks women in your family are destined to always be fat? Prove her wrong. Break the cycle. That should provide lots of motivation for you!

    Bring along a healthy side or two. A nice big salad is always well-accepted!

    Accept that you're probably going to go over calories and make adjustments to make it work. Eat a smaller breakfast and lunch (or just skip a meal all together), hit the gym harder, or eat fewer calories the day before and the day following.

    You can do this!
  • broseidonkingofbrocean
    broseidonkingofbrocean Posts: 180 Member
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    Just enjoy the day with your family. Eat whatever you want. For things like family outings, going out to eat with friends, and things of that nature. I just enjoy my time and rather not think about calories. Life is about enjoying yourself and in the grand scheme of things 1 day isn't going to ruin anything.
  • NoLimitFemme
    NoLimitFemme Posts: 118 Member
    edited May 2017
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    What are you bringing to the BBQ? Don't put butter and salt on the corn on the cob. Fruit salad is a great option if she's not putting sweet sauces into it. Why not arrive early and offer to help with the prep ... you'll be able to see exactly what's in everything.
  • sseqwnp
    sseqwnp Posts: 327 Member
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    Why 2 fruit salads?
  • carrieoffen
    carrieoffen Posts: 46 Member
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    To those asking what me bringing a side, i have a bolt house creamy balsamic dressing i think could make a dynamite coleslaw.
  • carrieoffen
    carrieoffen Posts: 46 Member
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    sseqwnp wrote: »
    Why 2 fruit salads?

    OOPS. fixed, thank you

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
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    I would take a veggie tray (or your coleslaw) and skip the veggies.

    What does she do to push food? Is it offering more helpings ("No thanks," and then start talking about something else) or walking by and flinging butter into your beans or what?
  • AKARUTHIE
    AKARUTHIE Posts: 5 Member
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    I'm so sorry. Too many of us seem to have one deliberate underminer (when MIL makes omelettes she uses 3x more butter on mine than everyone else :|) Around the truly obstinate folks, I load up a huge plate with the most fattening things; pick a bit here and there for awhile, then toss the whole thing when they're elsewhere. My mantra is: "the woman who has Gout and Diabetes will *not* dictate my food choices"! Sigh. Hang in there. <3
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,576 Member
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    That sounds like a fairly healthy menu. I'd just eat normal portions and then say "Mom, that was delicious! Thank you." If she pushed me to eat more, I'd say "Oh, I would if I could but I am stuffed. If I eat one more bite I think I'll explode."
  • Macy9336
    Macy9336 Posts: 694 Member
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    My MIL is like that...she's Italian and it's always full fat everything and manja manja you're too tiny. It was really bad when we were newlyweds because she was convinced I was too thin and that was causing the no grandbabies thing ( she's traditional catholic so you do not even speak of birth control in her hearing). So she was always concerned about my "health" and suggesting I eat more so I'd "fill out". Sigh.
    What I tend to do is eat a bit and then praise it and ask to take some home. MIL will pack enough to feed an army. I'll take it home and dutifully nibble on it the next day so I can say with honesty how good the leftovers were and then toss the rest. For some reason, eating a bit but taking home a pile makes her feel really good and that she's feeding me well. I think she gets depressed if she makes all this food and then it sits at home unwanted.
  • susanp57
    susanp57 Posts: 409 Member
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    I was curious, so I googled. It's Huli Huli Chicken, a Hawaiian dish. It's a real thing. Here's a Link, one of many:

    http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/grilled-huli-huli-chicken
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,426 Member
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    Remember that it is one day. Have a maintenance calorie day.
    Eat lighter your other meals that day or the day before and/or after. Look at your weekly calorie intake.
    Take reasonable portions of food you want and then stop eating. Say you are full. Get busy with something else. Pop some mint gum in your mouth.
    Get some exercise before, during or after the event. Help set up/clean up. Play active games instead of sitting. Go for a walk.
  • debtay123
    debtay123 Posts: 1,327 Member
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    I was just about to suggest banking some calories by eating less for a few days - and as the others have said bring a little something too like your coleslaw- eat some of all of it- and take some home to be polite if need be- I'm sure chuch family, elderly neighbors or someone who knows you would love the leftovers
  • Rebecca0224
    Rebecca0224 Posts: 810 Member
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    I have found that always having some kind of foid with me helps. We did a family gathering last weekend and I kept a plate with vegetables and cheese with me and no one said anything about how much I was eating.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
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    Family barbecues, special events, holidays, birthdays, random happy hours, girls night out, date night, ice cream sundaes in the summer time are all things that are an important part of my life and as such, I wasn't willing to give them up or drastically change my habits because I was working on losing weight. I bank calories during the week when I know there's something like this coming up, I exercise that day, I make smart choices (prioritizing eating the things that I really love and passing on things not worth the calories), I drink plenty of water and enjoy myself. I log it, and don't sweat it. 4 years here and I reached my goal and am now in maintenance and never felt like I was deprived, never felt someone was trying to sabotage my efforts, etc.

    Enjoy the BBQ and the time with your family.
  • Ironandwine69
    Ironandwine69 Posts: 2,432 Member
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    How dare she make yummy food.
    My mom forces food down my throat every weekend, telling me how I'm getting too skinny
  • Tried30UserNames
    Tried30UserNames Posts: 561 Member
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    Eat slowly. If you always have food on your plate and are still chewing, she won't need to offer you more food.
  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
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    All that stuff sound fairly healthy and delicious. Watch your portions and drink lots of water.