The Journey of Dieting: Part 2 of 3 - DIET SABOTAGE

When it comes to dieting we are usually our own worst enemy. But how many times have you gone off your diet at someone else's insistence? As if it isn't bad enough that we sabotage ourselves, sometimes others manage to sabotage our weight loss efforts unknowingly, or maybe even on purpose.

How many times have you heard these lines?: "But I made it because I know it's your favorite", "Just a little bit won't hurt", or "But you have to have a piece of my birthday cake". These are just a few examples of how people can try to persuade us to abandon our weight loss program.

So why do we let others sabotage our diet? Often, we give in to avoid hurting other people's feelings even though we know that doing so may not be in our best interest. Sometimes it's just easier to give in. Don't give in because it's the easier thing to do! Try being assertive; politely say "No thank you". If the person is persistent be polite, but firm.

Let's face it though, if we are not assertive with ourselves, we can't expect to be assertive with others. We need to make our weight loss efforts too valuable to cast aside for a few drinks or a piece of cake. If we truly believe that losing weight is more important than these inappropriate choices it will be easier to convince others of the same.

However, there are times when saying, "No thank you" or "I can't I'm on a diet" isn't enough. When being assertive fails, we need to try other methods to get through these tough situations. Here are a few situations and suggestions for dealing with them:

For the friends who think you aren't enjoying yourself if you aren't drinking: Have a diet soda or a seltzer. People are less likely to ask what you are drinking then why you aren't drinking.

For the birthday person who insists you absolutely must share their birthday cake: Take a small piece. If you can - take your plate and walk away. Usually, just accepting a piece of cake is enough to turn the attention away from you. Most likely no one will even notice if you don't eat it.

For that relative who made a special meal or dessert because they know you love it: If you know from experience that Aunt Louise always makes your favorite foods when you come to visit, try asking in advance what she plans on serving so that you can fit it into your program. Or let her know ahead of time that you are on a weight loss program and see if she could serve something that would be a better selection for you. Another way might be to avoid visiting at mealtime, drop by in the afternoon or after dinner. Put the focus on your visit, not the meal. This would help you to avoid the food situation altogether without having to worry about hurting anyone's feelings.

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