How to vacation and not appear as though you have an eating disorder?
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Anonymous
I think it's great you recognize this about yourself. For some people, setting boundaries with food that you never, ever breach is the only way to ensure it will keep working (you would not tell an alcoholic that one drink will be fine, or a former smoker to just have one cigarette). I also come from an overweight family and I've maintained a 30+ lb weight loss for over 10 years now (i'll never be skinny but I have a normal bmi). For me, not indulging = freedom. If someone asks why I'm not eating something, I just say "oh, not today, thanks" and then change the subject. Even my pushy family notices what I'm eating less than I once thought they would. |
Anonymous
Agree with pp. Also, if you try to hide the way you eat, you really will look like you have an eating disorder. So own it. |
Anonymous
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I have an acquaintance who is on a strict diet. He brings his own food (container of salad and vegetables, I think) when he visits for dinner. He doesn't make a fuss about it, doesn't apologize, doesn't do anything that requires any extra work for us, and doesn't comment on anything we serve or eat. I have no idea why he chooses to do that, but it works for him, and it doesn't affect anyone else, so there's no reason for anything to say anything. I don't know your family, but if you don't bring it up, maybe they won't.
If they do, don't be defensive or say anything that could be construed as criticizing their habit. Say, "Oh, I've found I prefer eating this way." or "It works for me." Do not say, "I'm trying to eat healthier," or "It helps me lose weight." |
Anonymous
I like this idea. They will probably try and persuade you to eat more, but you can just say no thanks and change topic. |
Anonymous
+100 |
Anonymous
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A great way to not talk about weight loss and not draw attention to yourself is to NOT TALK ABOUT.
If someone genuinely asks in an admiring way, you can tell them, BRIEFLY, about your program. If someone needles you about it, just shrug and say, "I'm happy with my program." If they push you, "I don't want to talk about it." But really, REALLY don't talk about it. No "helpful hints," no "I've found that..." no, "I really miss...". People on programs seem unable to help themselves from yapping about it, honestly, and it's annoying. If someone keeps up with the "helpful hints," I will definitely push back a bit with my own comments. |
Anonymous
The key is to not engage. Let people say what they want to say and don't explain yourself, don't talk about what you're eating or not eating, just smile and nod and do your thing. You will feel the urge to defend your eating but just don't. Do as little as possible to call attention to yourself and your eating and fake that it's 100% normal. The same goes for talking about your body and weight loss. People will comment on it, but just change the subject and move on. You have to make your body and eating habits an off-limits topic through zero aggression or actual declaration of that, just make it de facto by normalizing not talking about it. |
Anonymous
| Everybody is eating like that. NBD. Everyone takes buns off, dressing on side, etc. |
Anonymous
Not everyone is a fat ass. |
Anonymous
You clearly don't have a dysfunctional family. Consider yourself lucky. |
Anonymous
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OP, I am like you. Trying to maintain my weight loss as a former over-eater and sweet tooth indulger.
Even though at the end of the day I shouldn’t care, I still try to be ‘normal’ when out to eat or on vacation. So, I may get a veggie burger instead of a regular burger and take off the top portion of bun. I won’t say “salad instead of fries”, rather I’ll let them give me fries and just eat 1-2. I’ll still go to the greasy breakfast diner and do an egg white omelette. Or even go to the ice cream shop and just order a small or order a frozen yogurt instead. I’m not saying that it’s best to pretend, but I’ve found it’s easier to just not acknowledge it because I end up getting annoyed when I have to defend myself. |
Anonymous
Babe, I do have dysfunctional family members. I CHOOSE not to vacation with them. See how that works? |
Anonymous
| Load up your plate with fruits and veggies. Skip the buns / bread / rice and pasta. Maybe put it on your plate and take a bite for show. Skip cheese when you can to save calories. Have a nibble of dessert. No one pays attention to what I’m eating if my plate looks full and I eat some dessert. |
Anonymous
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It sounds like they have disordered eating, and you are applying structure to your choices, because it works for you.
I went on a trip when I was seeing a nutrionist and pre-ordered some special foods (fruit for dessert, for example) and was so delighted that my food looked as fancy as the chocolate cake. Work with the places, if you can. If you don't want to talk about why you are on meal plan, just say you are undergoing some test, and what works for you seems to be: List the foods you mentioned. |
Anonymous
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No one cares about this as much as you do.
Just don’t say a word about what you or anyone else is eating. I don’t want to hear about your diet; I’ll be secretly eye rolling. Just eat what you eat and move on with it. |