Food, Food, and Still More Food
Vacation is only 8 days away. I’m feeling these feelings of anticipation, excitement, but this huge fear of all the food!!!! YIKES…HELP ME!!!! “Huge Sigh”
My mother in law is the best in the world, but she loves her food. Life revolves around family and meals. Every year my husband and I come home 20 pounds heavier Uggghhhh……
This year has to be different. I know most people would say, “Jane, just make wise choices…” but you see…..this girl Jane…LOVES FOOD!!!
My mother in law takes us out to the best of the best, has a huge pizza party (with the best pizza ever) always orders this fancy cake (which we only get when we go there). They center every family gathering around food.
I feel doomed :( I feel afraid :( I already feel like I’ve lost the fight 
I need this vacation more now then in the past, but I also need my health more now then ever.
Maybe I’ll just try to show my mother in law the healthy way??? We’ll see, it’ll be very interesting!!!
How do you all cope with these situations? We will be visiting for 11 days and thats a long time!!!! YIKES!!!
Ok…any suggestions…ideas??? I’d love to here your input if you all have a minute.
Love ya buddys…hope your Thursday is full of sunshine and healthy choices 
Just think everything is a challenge. Its hard to cope with the things that you are used too but anyway life is boring without a challenge. I know your strong thats why your taking in charge of your weight. Hope you get what you need and thanks for the comment
stay BUSY!!! if your mouth is talking, it is harder to eat, if you are running around (will any kids be there? you can run!) you have a harder time eating.
just suggestions — i notice when i stay very busy, i don’t eat half as much. then you take a little bite of food, do something, take another little bite, and do something (long story telling or “let me get you a glass of water”)
take one bite at a time! you can even do that with the cake, then you at least get to sample it.
First off, do not be afraid to tell your mother in law you have made a commitment to health and you must watch what you eat. I’m sure she will admire you for that. Do not take a stressful outlook, or you will not enjoy your vacation. Whereever you go out, there are always good items on the menu. Make the best choices, and watch your portions. You can always get a doogie bag! Make one day your treat day, just be sure to walk a little the next day. The important thing is to enjoy your vacation.
You don’t have to, but if you gain a pound or too, you can get it off. Don’t stress!
Okay, let’s put our thinking caps on…
Can you call and chat with your mom-in-law? Let her know about your health, dietician advice, etc. and let her know that while you absolutely LOVE her cooking, you will have to be a little more strict in your food choices? Maybe she will tone it down a little if she is aware beforehand of your goals. This way she can plan for it.
If this is not the case, then the only thing I can see that is left for you to do is ENJOY it and use portion control. The food can be put in front of you, you can eat it, but NO ONE can force it down your throat in bucketfuls. You CAN say “Ohhhhhhhh, that was so good. Now I’m stuffed” after having a controlled portion of each thing.
Above all else my friend, HAVE SOME FUN on vacation, k? Lord knows you DESERVE this vacation like no one else I know.
Big huggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggs,
Shan
I’ve the same problem when I go home. Mom and dad feed me because they dont like to see me losing weight and i usually come back to Dublin 4lbs heavier than I left.
I think the trick is, try a bit of everything but dont eat the lot. Half everything that you eat while out… and if the portions a large or the fat/sugar content is high, half the portion again.
Jane, I’ve got it! Spend some time with me at the beach whatever and we can encourage each other to be good. Or if that is not a possibility drink plenty of water before you sit down to eat. Make sure you pack healthy snacks in that vaca bag of yours also and eat one before you sit down to all the sinful delicacies your mother in law likes to serve. You can also say that you must go here and there and drive yourself to a place where you can walk on a regular basis. Bring someone else with you who likes walking to. And yes do be honest with your mother in law about your commitment to health, who knows maybe it will rub off on her. Hope I do get to see you while you are in my neck of the woods but I do understand if that is too much to ask. Be strong Jane, you will have a great time and you will not abuse yourself doing it, I know you.
Ms. Jane, I know that you are not giving up without a fight. Did you actually write that you “feel you have already lost the fight”? Come on girl, I wanna hear you say, “I can overcome this. I have come too far to lose this fight now. I can have the pizza and the cake but I will watch my portions and I will stay active. I I will remember that I have buddies to support me, but I am strong enough to make these decisions and make them count. I will use all the things I learned from BS and put them to use. I may come home 5 pounds heavier, but I WILL NOT come home 20 pounds heavier!” I want you to give yourself that pep talk for the next 19 days since I can’t be there to give it to you!
Love you!
Anj
Doesn’t it just drive you crazy?? I live in a nest of elderly people and they eat junk all the time. I am the only one who exercises regularily…that I know of. If one more person asks me why I don’t get a motor on my w/c I will scream! I listen to people complain of reflux, constipation, etc. but I have learned they don’t really want an answer. Not if it involves change. Take your little snacks and declare the Dr. has given you strict orders to follow your plan. We love you and don’t want to lose you. Food can make such a difference in our health. Sometimes you have to put your foot down. My s-i-l asked me if I was going to eat food I like now that I have lost weight. My tastes have changed. We are going to hold you to your plan. YOU CAN DO IT!! The best to you. Love, Marge
You can do it, and I love your idea of showing her some things! Don’t let yourself get too hungry and stay busy, and remember your water!