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Society has conditioned us to organize social events around food. Now is the time to retrain habits and brains that food is for nutrition. Birthday cake and ice cream, Halloween treats, Christmas feasting, Anniversary dinners, and Easter baskets are often the center of special occasions. You can invite your family and friends to develop new traditions that focuses less on food, and more on the event. Be the leader. Brainstorm with others – also take responsibility for yourself in the presence of these foods.
Give your children choices of having a birthday cake and ice cream, or spending that food money on an especially nice gift, or fun activity that involves physical exercise. Their voices might surprise you. Brainstorming with them can create new traditions that friends may adopt as well.
Find new ways to organize social gathers. Hiking up to a cave is a fun way to engage in conversation with a friend or spouse. Great deals have been struck on the golf course, tennis court, basketball court. Meet for exercise instead of for lunch or a drink. Once you get out of the “rut” of “food focus” you may be pleasantly surprised at what awaits you.
When you are in a social setting that involves food, look for foods that are high in protein and vegetables. You don’t need to feel deprived just because food is present. Simply train yourself to measure and select the foods that are within your new lifestyle and move away from the food tables. Keep water in your glass to sip on and enjoy conversation and activities.
It can be hard for patients to get back to the basics after holidays if they go into them with the “take a break” mentality. If they do decide to “take a break” from their eating plan for each special event that came around, they are essentially deciding to “take a break” from achieving long-term weight loss. Patients must plan ahead what they will eat for special events and holidays.
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Be Kind to Yourself
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Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124