redgirl1974's Journal, 17 November 2015

What To Say When People Push Food on You

“Just have one.”

“But it’s the holidays!”

“You can have a little.”

1. Remember that change is hard. For everyone. I’m not the only one dealing with change. Think of them like bears. "You know, more scared of me than I am of them?” That change in mindset is enough to take some of the power back and more easily say “no” to an extra helping of pie.
2. Role-play scenarios you know are coming. Plan and act out situations that you know are coming. Someone is going to ask “why are you on a diet?” Someone is going to offer you a drink. You know these situations are going to happen so you can plan for them and act them out in your head.
3. Let people be hospitable in other ways. If your fear is looking ungrateful, plan and role-play saying things that show how grateful you are. A lot of food pushing at the holidays is hospitality with calories. People want us to feel welcome and comfortable, and that usually means food. And on the flip side of that relationship, we don’t want to appear ungrateful so we feel obliged to accept. So, accept people’s hospitality in other ways. If they offer you a muffin, politely decline but ask “who made that delicious salad?” If they ask if they can get you a beer, you can politely decline but let them know you’ll take a bottled water.
4. Respond with values, not outcomes. When people push food, a lot of what they say falls into the “one little one won’t hurt you” category. You can choose to ignore it, but if some people are really pushy you can respond in unexpected ways that turn the conversation. If the idea of saying, “but I might not stop at just one” is scary, try practicing “I’m trying to do this for myself.” Or, “I’m trying to practice a little willpower.” Or, “No thanks, I’m trying to be a better me.” Responding with the values you are trying to embody rather than the outcomes you want is a great way not only to shut down a pushy person, but to remind yourself about what this journey is really about.

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1503 kcal

Fat: 105.84g | Prot: 101.01g | Carb: 41.47g.   Breakfast: greek yogurt, Cantaloupe Melons, Coffee, Albertsons Heavy Whipping Cream, Sugar in the Raw Stevia in The Raw (Packet). Lunch: Sour Cream, Great Value Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Tomatoes, Iceberg Lettuce (Includes Crisphead Types), Kroger Ground Sirloin. Dinner: Wendy's Tomato (1 Slice), Iceberg Lettuce (Includes Crisphead Types), Ground Beef (Cooked), Mission Yellow Corn Tortillas. Snacks/Other: Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Butter, Great Value Powdered Creamer, Coffee, Whole Foods Market Stevia, Atkins Harvest and Trail Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Bar, Bacon, Boiled Egg. more...