Somewhere, a famous writer wrote: ‘To thine own self be true’…which may be difficult when healthy lifestyle goals are challenged by life with a junk-food junkie – a family member who loves to feed, a husband who loves late night runs for junk or co-workers who insist on bringing tempting treats to the office.
Participating women in Lifestyle classes often bemoan the fact that just as they begin to be successful in overcoming a little bulge, losing weight and reducing cholesterol, her partner comes home with KFC and pizza. I’ve also heard men wail about the fact that though his wife pesters him about the girth of his waistline, packaged and homemade sweets continue to show up in the house.
When a family, group or couple approach to healthy living is out of the question, here are steps you can take to minimize the influence of others:
? Determine why healthy eating is important to you and discuss it candidly. Ask for support and assistance such as not bringing home junk food or having your partner eat it elsewhere.
? Accept the fact that others will continue to eat junk food and detach from feelings of resentment and ‘poor me’.
? Be consistent in saying no. Mixed messages are part of the reason partners continue to bring home tempting junk. If you repeatedly say ‘I really shouldn’t, but…maybe just one little piece’ the message is that you really do want the food and others will not take you seriously.
? Determine for yourself whether you will or will not partake. If you decide to eat, do so without guilt and make it a conscious decision.
? Take no offense to those tempting you. Make light of it and laugh and politely decline. Tell them you choose quality food not junk quantity food.
? Do not blame your partner, family member or co-workers for when you do indulge. We always have the power to choose.
? Know that love/affection and food can go hand in hand. Enjoy yourself and relax occasionally and share a little with others. Healthy living is about enjoyment. Just keep the junk to a minimum.
Lifestyles programmes in health, wellness and balance are ongoing with solutions for you as you design your own healthy living program. Please email [email protected] for programme options.
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