Planning For "Cheating"

This class is about molding our habits so that we can live a healthy, balanced life.  Not just a healthy, balanced month.  And the reality is, we can stick with perfect eating habits for so long before something comes up.  There will be birthday parties, weddings, work parties, vacations, etc. that will interrupt our regular eating habits.  We have to decide how to handle these events, so that we don't blow our healthy eating on a regular basis.  Yet, at the same time, we don't live in a vacuum.  Life happens, doesn't it?  

Usually, when I know I may encounter a difficult eating situation (catered wedding, work lunch that is planned for me, etc), I have to decide on one of three options (there may be more than three, but these are usually one of the three ways I go):

1. I don’t worry at all about what options will be available; I eat with reckless abandon, and then feel regretful about it later.
2. I eat before I go, bring my own healthy options if possible, and limit myself severely, and drink a lot of water.  During the event I may feel deprived, but afterwards I don’t feel regretful, rather, victorious.
3. When I know an event is coming ahead of time, I can eat very carefully all week, including the day of the event.  I plan to splurge a little bit on my most favorite treats, within moderation, and then return to my regular eating following that meal.

Which option do you think works best for all of you? 

I know for me option #1 does not lead me to feeling very good physically or mentally. 

Option #2 is sometimes necessary when we have a lot of luncheons, tricky eating events, etc., in a short period of time.  We can’t splurge at every meal, or it’s not a splurge!!!

Option #3 is to really watch your caloric intake and food choices all week leading up to the event, knowing that you are saving any splurging or treats for the event.  The day of the event you eat as carefully as possible.  Before leaving for the event, eat an apple and almonds (anything that will help you to not be ravenous).  When at the event, you pick your MOST FAVORITE dishes or desserts (not everything that is put before you) and you STOP after one helping.  NO PICKING, NO SECONDS, STOPPING WHEN SATISFIED!

Option #3 allows for a little “cheating”, while still staying within reason.  You will leave feeling satisfied, you won’t be deprived, and you won’t (hopefully!) be regretful. 

Let’s face it—if you do a very restrictive diet with no room for cheating or splurging you will feel overly-deprived and eventually “fall off the wagon” big time…sometimes for good.  So, in every effort to stay on track, let’s “plan for cheating”!

Remember this--our culture uses food to celebrate everything.  We use it to entertain, it is the central part of a lot of social gatherings.  This is ok.  There's nothing wrong with enjoying life.  But if we use the excuse of every gathering and celebration as a chance to over-eat or eat unhealthily, we won't  be as successful as we want to be.  We need to pick and choose the most important events and foods.  We have to learn to become selective!

And lastly, always keep in mind its ok to not eat at an event.  Sometimes we feel obligated at family or social functions that we have to eat or we are going to offend people or look weird.  Most people don’t really care that much if you do or do not eat…and also remember, it’s calories going into your mouth, not theirs….so if you feel pressure to eat because of social obligations, feel free to say, “I’m in a program right now and I am committed to losing weight and being healthy.  This ______________(fill in the blank dish) looks soooo wonderful, but I know if I start eating it I won’t stop, so I better pass this time.”  Or always feel free to blame it on your doctor.  “My doctor says I cannot have foods with high sugar” (etc).  Sometimes putting the blame on a medical professional will generally be more respected.  

Telling ourselves "no" sometimes is a healthy exercise.  Living in balance is healthy as well.  We need to decide what is the most important to us!  I know I can go to a wedding reception and I can enjoy dinner and skip the cake, because I don't like cake that much.  I don't feel that deprived not eating the cake.  You, on the other hand, may adore wedding cake and want to make other sacrifices in your week to be able to enjoy cake.  That's fine!  Just learn the fine art of telling yourself "no" and choosing your most favorite foods as splurges and cheats. 

You can do this!