5 Ways To Stop Sabotaging Yourself

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5 Ways To Stop Sabotaging Yourself

by Bridget

eDiets Staff Writer

A trip back to your hometown or several days spent with relatives for the holidays can present challenging situations for dieters. Fortunately, a few sabotage-stalling strategies can help you enjoy a houseful of cheer without compromising your weight loss goals.

Here are five common types of holiday diet sabotage and our fail-safe tactics for overcoming them:

1. Sabotage by... fellow food lovers!

If the holiday entails seeing a family member or friend who used to be your partner in " kitchen crimes, " like baking triple chocolate fudge cookies or sharing a large pumpkin pie, don't let your visit result in eating foods you would otherwise avoid.

Sabotage-proof strategy:

Find more active ways to bond with your friends and family members. Take a long walk together before anyone else gets up or hit the gym for a class after dinner. Even better, consider becoming " diet buddies, " so you offer each other support and encouragement.

2. Sabotage by... food gifts!

If everyone knows that you adore chocolate or fine cheeses, there’s a good chance someone will present you with a box of Belgian chocolates, a cheese basket or some other decadent gift for the holidays.

Sabotage-proof strategy:

Stave off food gifts by letting loved ones know in advance that you’re following a diet. A simple comment like, " My diet is going so well, I've even given up chocolate, " may be enough to signal the would-be candy giver to reconsider his or her gift. If your comments fall on deaf ears, wait until the giver has left and pass the gift on to a neighbor or even a local homeless shelter. Or, open the box while guests are still around and hope they finish them off before you’re left alone with the goodies!

3. Sabotage by... a motherer!

A motherer isn't necessarily dear old mom. This category may include an in-law, aunt, uncle or anyone who tries to coax you into eating huge portions just because he or she has cooked the feast before you.

Sabotage-proof strategy:

Lay down the law before things get out of hand. Let the motherer know how serious you are about your weight-loss efforts. Stress how much you love his or her cooking, but be firm about your determination to lose weight.. And ask that person to respect your willpower.

4. Sabotage by... familiar surroundings!

If the holidays mean returning to the house where you grew up, you may find yourself falling back into old habits and eating old favorites -- especially if those cabinets are stocked with items you associate with being at home or on vacation.

Sabotage-proof strategy: Before you arrive, create a backup plan. Remember that you live without those foods every day in your own house, so you can certainly do it here. Also, remind yourself that those foods may have contributed to your weight gain in the first place.

Pack healthy snacks for your travels, so you don’t arrive famished. And bring extra low-fat munchies or fruits and veggies to keep in the fridge, so you have healthier alternatives on hand. Or, offer to help out with the grocery shopping and pick up fruit, low-fat granola bars and plenty of veggies.

You may even want to cook a meal or two while you’re there, so you have total control over the selections.

5. Sabotage by... yours truly!

If you're rationalizing baking cookies or buying that chocolate Santa because it's what you do for your family every year, you could be setting yourself up to fail. Merely having the candy, cookies and other goodies around the house can overpower your resolve.

Sabotage-proof strategy:

You can slim the household goodie selection without seeming like the Grinch. Make cookies together, but use recipes for lower-fat versions or opt for varieties that are naturally lower in fat (gingerbread or biscotti fit the bill). Let the kids help you with the baking to ensure that they get into the spirit, too. Fill candy dishes with long-lasting, hard candies instead of chocolates and tell the little ones that this year is special, so you want to do things a bit differently. You may even start some new traditions.

So are you ready to trim down and enjoy a happier, healthier life?