A quick Fit Momma question from Alisa before we all take off in a million directions:
How do you survive the holidays away from home- especially at the in-laws. I don't want to hurt feelings and its really hard to say no. Its just hard to eat well at the in-laws, but I am trying... Any suggestions?
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A San Antonio Christmas with Shamu.
Notice the shorts and sandals?
Yeah, we're really bundling up down here. |
I am going to broaden this question out to all family or friends -- how do we eat well when out of our environment? The thing is, we're totally out of our domain and with that goes the control factor (AHHH!). We aren't 100% in charge of the food that is available or the food that is in front of our faces when we aren't in our own homes. In my opinion, though, being with those people I adore is totally worth the trade off.
A few ways I cut a few corners and give myself back a little of the control:
Shelve the weight loss.
I am much happier when I put my weight loss goals on hold for a few days when I'm visiting family. This doesn't mean I go nuts and eat the entire 2 lb. box of See's Candies, but I eat as well as I can in the given circumstances. Maintenance and just feeling good becomes my goal during that short time. I can always slash the calories when I get home again.
Bring my own food.
I'm not nearly as bad as I used to be. Years ago when I first started eating right, I visited my sister-in- law and walked in with my own, personal cooler. I brought my own yogurt, bread, fruit, vegetables, and salads for the entire trip. I ate entirely out of my cooler that weekend and I'm sure highly offended my sister-in-law (although being the queen she is she never mentioned it).
Although I'm not lugging in a huge cooler anymore,
I still do bring a stash of my own food in my luggage. I'll always bring protein bars, nuts, and protein powder. Some trips I don't touch them, others trips they are out by the time I head back home. It mostly is just security for me: I know I'll always have something to eat at any given time while I'm there.
Do the grocery shopping.
Either before I arrive or after I get there (whichever is less awkward), I definitely make a trip to the grocery store. Since I'm usually traveling with my crew, I just use the excuse that I have to go get some food for the kids, which is 100% true. I grab some fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal,
salad fixings or ready-made salads, turkey slices and tuck them away in their fridge. I am totally fine with anyone else eating that food -- when it's gone I'll just go get more. Again, I'm reassuring myself that there is food I can actually eat while I'm there and I'm helping reduce my host's grocery bill.
Drink Water
This is a biggie. It seems like once I get out of my own bubble, I forget to down the water. I stake out a big cup while I'm there, and really make it a focus to
drink my gallon every day. This helps reduce mindless eating, which seems to go hand in hand with staying with friends or family.
Stay Busy
When I stay in someone else's home, sometimes I don't know what to do with myself. My laundry is gone, my kitchen is gone, my errands are gone, my computer is gone, my dog is gone. What the heck do I do with my time? And, when I'm a bit bored, guess where I find myself? Back in the kitchen with my face glowing in the yellow light of the fridge -- AGAIN. It helps me, and my 3 kids, to get up and go somewhere everyday. Whether it be visits with cousins, a hike, a trip to the park, a play -- at least it is getting me out and away from the kitchen.
Offer to Cook
I adore time in the kitchen (especially when there are people around to amuse my kids), so I will offer to
cook a meal for everyone or at least help with the preparations for family meals. I typically can pull off something that I'm excited to eat and something that the rest of the family can enjoy. If this isn't an option, I offer to
throw together a salad or to cut up fruit for the meal. Do you see the pattern here? Any sliver of healthiness I can grab, I take it and run with it.
Just Eat It
When my family gets together (especially this time of year), there are tables and counters packed with goodies. There are homemade peppermint patties to twenty-seven types of cookies with most of them masterfully involving chocolate of some sort. This is brutal for sweetaholics like myself-- it is my Mt. Everest of self-discipline. I find if I'm loaded up on nutrient dense foods and my water, this is a million times more manageable. I will eat a few goodies, some things I just want a taste, not an entire slice or cookie. Sometimes I do better than others.
I try to observe how I'm spending my time: am I being a goodie helicopter, spending the majority of my time hovering over the cheesecakes or am I spending most of my time with the people? I try to focus on the the people. They don't taste very good and are a lot less calories than fudge with walnuts:) Oh, and that's why I'm there in the first place!
Sometimes you are faced with some dishes that you are just going to have to eat. Not everyone has your nutrition habits, and occasionally you just might be faced with soggy scrambled eggs and bacon made in 2 inches of vegetable oil or some Kentucky Fried Chicken. All I can say here is: DO YOUR BEST. You can try to weasel your way out of situations like that ("Thanks for the breakfast, but I got up early and already ate some oatmeal. Sorry about that!"). Or you can just politely have a small plate of it, chug down some serious water and get busy washing dishes as a diversion tactic.
In the end, it's the people that matter most. If you have highly sensitive in-laws or friends you are staying with, food fights are officially NOT WORTH IT. Of course, we all wish they'd see the light and let you eat your vegetables and hummus in peace, but that's totally out of our control. Just keep your portions small, down your water, and be relieved to get back to your routine once you get home.
Happy Holidays!
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Traveling Like a Fit Momma
Don't Leave Home Without...
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