Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Hi all. I have a question. I just finalized my plans to go see my father and stepmother in Las Vegas from June 30th to July 7th. My family has never been overally supportive in any of my health, nutrition, and workout endeavors, so I knew planning the trip that this would be an issue. I found a gym near my father's house that I can do to for a weekly fee. Thats not an issue. I wont miss a workout while Im away. Ill just get up early and go before Im missed. When I told my father and stepmother about the trip, they were excited as I havent been out there in 2 years. (I live in NH) However, the first comment from my stepmother was " now, when you are here, there will be no dieting. We will be going out to eat, and you will too " I want to eat clean while Im out there. But they started rambling on about all the great restuarants they will be taking me to. Mexican, Indian. ... etc... etc... I had thought I would just bring along some BFL bars and the myoplex lite mix and use those for 3 of my meals. (not an ideal situation, but better then going totally off plan) My father and stepmom generally have breakfast. So me making some scrambled egg whites and oats will be fine. Its lunch and dinner that have me worried. THey generally eat " dinner " early, around lunch time, then pick all day long. And Im not talking healthy lunches and dinners. We are Italian. Any advice or suggesstions about how to handle this situation? I know if I tell them Im eating clean except for one day there will be uproar. They think that Im fine as I am, and if anything " too skinny " So they always try to feed me. Suggesstions, ideas, tricks, tactics, ANYTHING will be great Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Hi Cyndi, That is so awesome that you are preplanning and even lined up a gym!! I could only suggest that you stick to your guns and tell them this is your way of life. Hopefully someone else here can you more help as I'm too inexperienced and will be going through the same thing next week. I'm leaving for Haiti a week from tomorrow with my mom. She is very obese and is always trying to feed me, too. Of course, where I'll be, there is no access to a gym, so I'll have to wing it. Maybe do lunges, squats, running, abs, etc.) As far as the food, I already packed little snack bags of protein powder in individual servings and bought a bunch of tuna envelopes. I also packed individual oatmeal packets (not old fashioned oats, but better than nothing). Not sure what else to do, but I'll definately be interested in other responses to your post. ) > > > Hi all. I have a question. I just finalized my plans to go see my father and stepmother in Las Vegas from June 30th to July 7th. My family has never been overally supportive in any of my health, nutrition, and workout endeavors, so I knew planning the trip that this would be an issue. I found a gym near my father's house that I can do to for a weekly fee. Thats not an issue. I wont miss a workout while Im away. Ill just get up early and go before Im missed. > > When I told my father and stepmother about the trip, they were excited as I havent been out there in 2 years. (I live in NH) However, the first comment from my stepmother was " now, when you are here, there will be no dieting. We will be going out to eat, and you will too " I want to eat clean while Im out there. But they started rambling on about all the great restuarants they will be taking me to. Mexican, Indian. ... etc... etc... I had thought I would just bring along some BFL bars and the myoplex lite mix and use those for 3 of my meals. (not an ideal situation, but better then going totally off plan) My father and stepmom generally have breakfast. So me making some scrambled egg whites and oats will be fine. Its lunch and dinner that have me worried. THey generally eat " dinner " early, around lunch time, then pick all day long. And Im not talking healthy lunches and dinners. We are Italian. Any advice or suggesstions about how to handle this situation? I know if I tell them Im eating clean except for one day there will be uproar. They think that Im fine as I am, and if anything " too skinny " So they always try to feed me. > Suggesstions, ideas, tricks, tactics, ANYTHING will be great > Thanks, > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 I learned a trick from a friend of mine who is a diabetic. She orders properly to start with, then when the meal comes she has them bring a ³to go² tray at the same time and takes off of her plate everything that exceeds what she¹s supposed to be eating at that sitting. Then give the leftovers to a homeless guy so you aren¹t tempted later. Are the Italian Italian, or Italian American? True Italian food (with the exception of some Sicilian) is actually very good for you. Perhaps becoming a student of the region could help you avoid the ³uproar². For instance, the sauces made over there are very clean, and the portions are lots smaller than they are here. You don¹t see the overweight Italians over there like you do here. It¹s the ³American² part that does them in. Avoid the Ziti and the Lasagna and you might just be fine. A marinara sauce over a proper portion of spaghetti is pretty close to what you should be doing. A lot of places you can ask for things ³Atkins' style² which isn¹t exactly BFL but sure is a lot better than how it comes. OTOH, I have a lot of success ordering off of the appetizer menu. Seared ahi and a side salad with a piece of bread and I¹m good. When they want to order dessert, order a cappuccino. Mexican food I can always get around with two soft tacos with meat, salsa and lettuce, most places serve that. Indian is a little tougher, although I think it¹s possible. PF Chang¹s is easy if you stay on the appetizer menu. Good luck. I would take the path of least resistance and say yes and then do what I needed to when I got there. On 3/16/06 6:51 AM, " cyndibarre@... " <cyndibarre@...> wrote: > > Hi all. I have a question. I just finalized my plans to go see my father and > stepmother in Las Vegas from June 30th to July 7th. My family has never been > overally supportive in any of my health, nutrition, and workout endeavors, so > I knew planning the trip that this would be an issue. I found a gym near my > father's house that I can do to for a weekly fee. Thats not an issue. I wont > miss a workout while Im away. Ill just get up early and go before Im missed. > > When I told my father and stepmother about the trip, they were excited as I > havent been out there in 2 years. (I live in NH) However, the first comment > from my stepmother was " now, when you are here, there will be no dieting. We > will be going out to eat, and you will too " I want to eat clean while Im out > there. But they started rambling on about all the great restuarants they will > be taking me to. Mexican, Indian. ... etc... etc... I had thought I would > just bring along some BFL bars and the myoplex lite mix and use those for 3 of > my meals. (not an ideal situation, but better then going totally off plan) My > father and stepmom generally have breakfast. So me making some scrambled egg > whites and oats will be fine. Its lunch and dinner that have me worried. THey > generally eat " dinner " early, around lunch time, then pick all day long. And > Im not talking healthy lunches and dinners. We are Italian. Any advice or > suggesstions about how to handle thi! s situation? I know if I tell them Im > eating clean except for one day there will be uproar. They think that Im fine > as I am, and if anything " too skinny " So they always try to feed me. > Suggesstions, ideas, tricks, tactics, ANYTHING will be great > Thanks, > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 i have a funny idea. i know how family can be!! eat the way Val is suggesting. she's giving great suggestions. but keep saying " oh, i'm so full " and " oh, i shouldn't be cheating on my diet " and " oh my goodness i must be gaining weight " and when they want you to order dessert but you just order a cappuccino say " I'm way too full. i overate. " that'll keep them off your back. they'll never know your doing BFL LOL felicity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 I think this is excellent advice. Chances are, they'll be so involved overeating their own food, they won't notice what you are or are not eating. If packing up part of the portion at the beginning of the meal is confrontational, then do it at the end of the meal (leftovers for the next day?) or just leave it behind and ignore the cost. We go out fairly often. In the beginning, I wanted to control the restaurant, to be sure there would be something BFL-friendly. But lately I've noticed that there hasn't been a restaurant where I can't find something to order. Everyplace now has salad with a protein topping. And all places are now willing to accommodate. Be glad it's restaurants and not your family's cooking! It's much more difficult when you're eating at their home, and they are doing the cooking, and you need to eat or not eat what they've prepared for you! Lastly: - remember that what you do occasionally will not have a great impact against what you do usually - you are an adult. You choose what does or does not go into your body. HTH n At 02:09 PM 3/16/2006, you wrote: ><SNIP> I would take >the path of least resistance and say yes and then do what I needed to when I >got there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 , I know what you mean by this, it can be very frustrating when you want to focus on your goals and it feels like you are being sabotaged by people around you. This happens to me all the time, and if I say anything, then it is worse. I've learned it is better to 'pretend' you arent on a diet. So if you order things that are more BFL approved and they comment, then say that you just love that dish! " I just love these salads with the chicken on top! " And if you ask the restaurant to alter something, like dressing on the side, then you can comment on how you really dislike something. " I hate those salad dressings because they are always too salty for me! " For dessert, the advice you have gotton so far can really work. " I am so stuffed from that meal! " or " I just love the taste of coffee, it is my favourite kind of dessert! " . All of these comments mask the fact that you are staying on your plan. It doesnt give your folks a reason to say: " Forget about your diet " because you arent indicating that you ARE on some kind of diet. I have this problem with alcohol, too, where my family tries to give me a drink. I either say my stomach is upset or that 'it gives me a headache'. That stops them in their tracks. Same thing with the exercise. If they got on you for that, you can say that it makes you feel better --- eg. The tension in my shoulders is gone when I workout. Or, my backaches go away when I do it. If you are going to use protein powder or bars, you can also act like this is your junkfood treat so there is less suspicion that you are on a diet. If you add chocolate powder to some skim milk, and they look at you funny...you can say: " I am hooked on these yummy chocolate drinks! " . Or if you have a protein bar: " These taste so great, this chocolate peanut butter is to die for! " I know all this sounds a bit devious, but I think it really works when you put a positive spin on this. If you talk about diet and exercise to people not interested in it, then there is a tendency for them to talk about you lightening up and relaxing because you are on vacation. Having said that, you should also enjoy your vacation. Some extra cheats here & there arent going to completely kill you! > > > My family has never been overally supportive in any of my health, nutrition, and workout endeavors, so I knew planning the trip that this would be an issue. > However, the first comment from my stepmother was " now, when you are here, there will be no dieting. We will be going out to eat, and you will too " > I know if I tell them Im eating clean except for one day there will be uproar. They think that Im fine as I am, and if anything " too skinny " So they always try to feed me. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Cindi, where will you be in your challenge by then? It is not out of the question to basicly take a week off, come home and hit it hard and have no ill effects. Or, you could 'sort of' take it off, that is do your work outs, eat clean when you have the opportunity, order as wisely as possible when eating out. Think of it as a calory cycling week. If your parents lived close then I would say this is a fight worth having, but if you only see them every couple of years....one week every couple of years is not going to make you fat....so why have the fight? MHO. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 What is wrong with that approach is the fact that if Cindi's been working her program correctly, she'll be sick as a dog for a week. Think about how you feel on Monday after an epic Free Day. Then multiply that by a week and I hear her. My family has thought I was a freak ever since my foray into organic vegetarianism. I had spent a week in the hospital with pancreatitis so I just blamed the pancreatitis for my food decisions and they let me get away with it. On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 18:31:06 -0000 alysd38 <no_reply > wrote: > Cindi, where will you be in your challenge by then? It is not out of > the question to basicly take a week off, come home and hit it hard and > have no ill effects. Or, you could 'sort of' take it off, that is do > your work outs, eat clean when you have the opportunity, order as > wisely as possible when eating out. Think of it as a calory cycling week. > > If your parents lived close then I would say this is a fight worth > having, but if you only see them every couple of years....one week > every couple of years is not going to make you fat....so why have the > fight? > > MHO. > > Barbara > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Dr Val, I totally agree with you on this. If I eat a lot of rich, fatty, junky, salty, greasy foods, then I get sick as a dog now. In a way, you are **lucky** to have a *condition* to use as an excuse. (I didnt really say that, did I??). I think anyone trying to skirt the discussion with family/friends trying to ply you with crappy food, can always go for " the dr. said I had to because.... " line. That's a really good one!! By the way, I wouldnt wish your ailment or any other on anyone. I hope you are better now!! > > What is wrong with that approach is the fact that if Cindi's been working her program correctly, > she'll be sick as a dog for a week. Think about how you feel on Monday after an epic Free Day. > Then multiply that by a week and I hear her. My family has thought I was a freak ever since my > foray into organic vegetarianism. I had spent a week in the hospital with pancreatitis so I just > blamed the pancreatitis for my food decisions and they let me get away with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 I had to quit eating fried foods right then and there. They hurt the most. Sugar doesn't do me very well either, and I'm a sugar hound. If I eat sugar at night I wake up with a bone crushing headache the next day. That helps me stay out of the desserts. It's been 17 years since it happened, and I don't need the medicine any more, but I know that if I fool around, I could become a diabetic. So it keeps me pretty honest. I didn't drink for a few years too when it first happened. At the time I worked with a woman who's brother had it, didn't stop partying and died. That slowed me down. Now I can have a couple of glasses of wine or a couple of beers and it's ok. I just can't strap on the beer goggles or bad things happen. On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 19:41:25 -0000 " " <sandrawith2kids@...> wrote: > Dr Val, I totally agree with you on this. If I eat a lot of rich, > fatty, junky, salty, greasy foods, then I get sick as a dog now. In a > way, you are **lucky** to have a *condition* to use as an excuse. (I > didnt really say that, did I??). I think anyone trying to skirt the > discussion with family/friends trying to ply you with crappy food, can > always go for " the dr. said I had to because.... " line. That's a > really good one!! > > > By the way, I wouldnt wish your ailment or any other on anyone. I hope > you are better now!! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Yea I really dont think taking the whole week of is an option for me. By then Ill be on my third challenge. But this is more a lifestyle change for me, and I really dont think my body could handle eating the way my family does for a week. Ill just order wisely and not mention anything about eating clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 How awful!! That sounds scary. I'm glad you are ok now. I guess you have to look at this as a blessing in disguise...because of this disease you changed your eating habits for the long term so you are healthier! Talk about having motivation to follow the program!! > > I had to quit eating fried foods right then and there. They hurt the most. Sugar doesn't do me > very well either, and I'm a sugar hound. If I eat sugar at night I wake up with a bone crushing > headache the next day. That helps me stay out of the desserts. It's been 17 years since it > happened, and I don't need the medicine any more, but I know that if I fool around, I could become > a diabetic. So it keeps me pretty honest. I didn't drink for a few years too when it first > happened. At the time I worked with a woman who's brother had it, didn't stop partying and died. > That slowed me down. Now I can have a couple of glasses of wine or a couple of beers and it's > ok. I just can't strap on the beer goggles or bad things happen. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2006 Report Share Posted March 18, 2006 I have a question along those same lines, I am going to viist my parents next week, however my mom LOVES to cook so I doubt we will be eating out much. Her favorite ingredients are white bread, butter, and garlic it is in and on everything. My sister is also trying to loose weight (she lives with the 'rents) and is already tired of me telling her she can't lose and eat moms food. I don't want to be a diet freak or a nag. How can I politely tell Mom not to cook such fatning food? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2006 Report Share Posted March 20, 2006 Volunteer to cook. On 3/18/06, a Salmans <jlsers2@...> wrote: > > I have a question along those same lines, I am going to viist my > parents next week, however my mom LOVES to cook so I doubt we will be > eating out much. Her favorite ingredients are white bread, butter, and > garlic it is in and on everything. My sister is also trying to loose > weight (she lives with the 'rents) and is already tired of me telling > her she can't lose and eat moms food. I don't want to be a diet freak > or a nag. > > How can I politely tell Mom not to cook such fatning food? > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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