My old trainer and I had a joke that if it were easy it would be his mom. Everything worth having is worth working for.

by TDBHALL

AWESOME! just ignore people - =D you know what you're doing and that's all that matters!

by UPTOWNGIRL

Thank you for everyone's input, it'd definitely giving me ideas and things to try. Just so everyone knows, other than a few close friends and my husband, no one knows I'm doing this. I've found it just makes it even harder because they have a tendency to criticize without really thinking about what they are saying to me. The positive side is people are noticing, the last time my mom saw me, I was 260 and now I'm down to 206 and she was blown away.

So thank you for all the support. :love:

by KLPEARSO

Figuratively speaking, I suggest you do hide and do this alone. My rule, never tell people you are on a diet; just do it quietly and if people ask me why I'm not eating something, I say I don't like... (what ever it is they're asking about). The more you have to answer to what you are doing, the more frustration. Trust me, it takes a lot of pressure off no hearing, "you're going to eat that, or are you sure you want that... things like that.

As far as self-control - you know where that comes from.... =D

Pack your own lunches. Salads are kind of a bust because we put stuff on them and they don't fill me up. Try some chopped grilled chicken and veggies for lunch. If you want a salad, best to eat that at night because you're not finishing off with a heavy meal.

just some thoughts but IMHO - if people don't know you're dieting, they won't make comments and that might make things easier. Just think about how fun it will be 4-weeks from now when they start noticing... and wondering...

by UPTOWNGIRL

I struggle too. I *try* and keep my meals at 300 calories- at family gatherings i *try* to get food with staying power like proteins. If i am super hungry or nervous i stack up the veggies and fruits they take more time to eat.:hi:

by SYDNEY

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I'm willing to try anything that I haven't tried before and you gave me some good ideas.:)

by KLPEARSO

I have a lot of issues with self-control too. I've been successful with some of these strategies at family get-togethers:
1. If it's a buffet, go last. The food won't look as appetizing after everyone's dug into it!
2. Look around the table at your choices. Make decisions and bargains with yourself. Like:, "I can have two pieces of pizza, but I also must have a huge plate of salad". "I can have chips, but then I should forego dessert or a sliver of cake". I find when I do this kind of thinking, I don't feel so deprived because I did give myself something I really wanted.
3. Bring food you "can" eat - a big fruit salad or cut up veggies and some tzaziki (greek yogurt and cucumber) dip. Fill up on that.
4. Stay away from the buffet/table when you aren't eating a meal. Get a glass of sparkling water, with a twist of lime, walk around and visit.

I'm not perfect, but these have worked for me in the past.

by CAROLBINTX