smartygirlCA's Journal, 23 Mar 16

change what you drink.. dont drink beer or try mich ultra or switch to something you can mix with diet coke.. like vodka..I should prolly tell you not to drink but let be real here LOL I like to have drinks with my husband to so I get it. And drink a glass of water every two drinks.it helps Also, its up to you what you put on your plate.My husband had zero interest in dieting so what I would do was make his dinner but make a main protein I could have too then I would just eat it with a salad (im trying to be low carb). I know its hard for your and it can be a bit pricey to make "two" dinners but the same protein helps with that. Build up your will power... how bad do you want it?? One old schooler here once told me, nothing taste as good as skinny...Your post says you cant.. but you can !! Just believe in yourself, and even if you fail, dont ever ever quit trying.. jump right on that wagon when you fall off.  

oh and try and cut out some carbs... it will totally help..  

What does he normally eat when he returns from that 10 day job and how does it influence and change what you eat? It took me a while to learn how to break 220lbs too way back when I first got into the LCHF diet, but eventually I found the culprit and nixed it quickly. 

Men seem to do that. I was at my highest weight ever with my boyfriend (current boyfriend) It is easier to keep track when I am not around him. He always wants to eat out or eat something not so good. You have to make decisions for yourself. Even if it means working out alone or making dinner for just yourself. You can do it. Keep your head held up! Also if he doesn't like what your making tell him to make something for himself! 

Instead of mixing drinks with diet sodas change to seltzer for fiz. I know it seems weird but diet soda can cause weight gain. I drank Coke Zero for years and quit cold turkey. I changed no other habits and in the first month I lost 15 lbs because I quit drinking it. Also just because he likes fatty rich foods does not mean you can't cook like it seems that the foods are rich but can still cut fat. Change butter to a healthier oil like coconut. Use less milk or adopt 1% or fat free in rich cream recipes. A little at a time and he'll never know! 

Instead of mixing drinks with diet sodas change to seltzer for fiz. I know it seems weird but diet soda can cause weight gain. I drank Coke Zero for years and quit cold turkey. I changed no other habits and in the first month I lost 15 lbs because I quit drinking it. Also just because he likes fatty rich foods does not mean you can't cook like it seems that the foods are rich but can still cut fat. Change butter to a healthier oil like coconut. Use less milk or adopt 1% or fat free in rich cream recipes. A little at a time and he'll never know! 

Instead of mixing drinks with diet sodas change to seltzer for fiz. I know it seems weird but diet soda can cause weight gain. I drank Coke Zero for years and quit cold turkey. I changed no other habits and in the first month I lost 15 lbs because I quit drinking it. Also just because he likes fatty rich foods does not mean you can't cook like it seems that the foods are rich but can still cut fat. Change butter to a healthier oil like coconut. Use less milk or adopt 1% or fat free in rich cream recipes. A little at a time and he'll never know! 

Instead of mixing drinks with diet sodas change to seltzer for fiz. I know it seems weird but diet soda can cause weight gain. I drank Coke Zero for years and quit cold turkey. I changed no other habits and in the first month I lost 15 lbs because I quit drinking it. Also just because he likes fatty rich foods does not mean you can't cook like it seems that the foods are rich but can still cut fat. Change butter to a healthier oil like coconut. Use less milk or adopt 1% or fat free in rich cream recipes. A little at a time and he'll never know! 

grr...sorry about the multiposts...darn mouse...  

It's hard to "be good" when people all around you are making choices that don't fit with the way you want/need to eat. Something that has changed in my family is that we simply don't eat out as much. I cook a lot more, because...frankly, it isn't much *fun* for me to eat out and then order a salad or some kind of lean protein with a side of...broccoli. If I'm going to eat that kind of stuff, then, I guess I figure why pay a lot of $$$ for it and why not make it myself. (And make everyone else in my family eat it, too.) I have 4 kids, so they still have food that I don't have anymore. We get pizza and bring it home, and I make my own (low carb tortilla with a little marinara sauce and low-fat cheese and maybe some Canadian Bacon and some veggies) so I get a little bit of the taste/enjoyment. We make Sundays our eat-out days, 'cause that's when *MOM* can enjoy eating out (Sundays are my freebie-eat-what-I-want days). I would also say that alcohol is a big food trigger. It's a lot of calories, and I've pretty much sworn off drinking my calories. Plus, if *I* drink alcohol, I find that my inner-food-control mechanism just quits working. I really want to eat more than usual if I consume alcohol. I would also say...try planning ahead. If you know what restaurant you're going to, if it's a chain and there's an online nutritional guide, plot out the best/healthiest option that you can enjoy ahead of time. Go in with that being your plan, and stick to it. That way, you're not as likely to succumb to your old favorites. And try to enjoy the outing and not so much the mindless food consumption. It's not always easy, and as I was posting earlier today...I miss being spontaneous about my food choices and I miss not being able to indulge every single time I eat, but it is a lot easier to eat out when you plan in advance and know what you will order before you get there. I have been enough places now that I know what my best, enjoyable options are at different restaurants, and I can enjoy the outing (and not having to cook or clean-up afterwards), and be *satisfied* with my food, and not have it be about consuming something that is detrimental to my progress. Unless it's Sunday. And then, it's anything goes for me. Maybe having 1 day of pure indulgence during your husband's return will enable you to stick with the plan during the other 3 days or so that he is back. And maybe that one day every couple of weeks will be enough to keep you from not feeling super deprived and not having to stress/worry/feel guilty about enjoying yourself, but just don't let it turn into a 3-4 day food fest. 

good point DJC70.. I never thought of seltzer water... and I agree, coke zero is my nemesis and I only every have a soda as a sorta "cheat" like a diet root beer on the weekend.. your right it makes a HUGE difference, thank you for reminding be about that..  

He's your Las Vegas!!! Sounds like emotional eating in the positive way - when you are happy. But if he's becoming your excuse to indulge, that's not good. Find some healthy foods you love and make that for him instead. You could even make a healthy dessert too! It will benefit him as well. You can still enjoy your time together without making it your last supper. Maybe you need to break the pattern completely by trying another fun thing you can do together that does not involve food. Go to a comedy show, go on a night hike, coffee shop, movie (with kids size popcorn). But the great thing is you see what is happening and now you can find the solution that will work for you.  

Thanks guys, so much good ideas! He likes things like enchiladas Fried- not baked (I tried baking them and not "authentic " enough, barbacoa, chicken mole, Mexican rice, pozole, he likes really authentic full fat Mexican food. We go out and have street tacos, Vietnamese, sushi, things like that. I would do date nights healthy stuff, but I have 3 toddlers at home and nobody will watch them over an hour... Plus, he wants to spend time with the kids. By the time they all go to bed, it's already too late to go out anyways. After cleaning, getting all the chores done, finances (I do it, not him), kids, then getting "romantic ", I just want to eat... You know? Hahaha  

pre make meals for yourself for the 4 days he is off. still make him whatever but eat what is good for YOU .... as for drinking...you got me there lol... I just don't anymore. but could you go for a low carb beer?? straight booze on the rocks??  

Yes, pre-make meals for you is a good idea but if that is too much work and you want to enjoy the food you made for hubby, go for portion control strategy. Plate out 1/2 of what u usually eat and other 1/2 fresh fruits or veges. Eat slowly and savor every bite. Or, eat a low cal snack (with protein) 1hour before dinner - like fruit and Greek yogurt, hard boiled egg and a fruit or vege, then at dinner time eat 1/2 of your normal. You can trick your brain by plating it on small fancy plates. If possible arrange Me time for when he gets back. Get a massage, pedicure, or even simple things like time to curl up and read a book. Whatever you enjoy. Kind acts you give to yourself will give you more power. If you can arrange a trade with a friend who also has little ones, you may get some Me time while he's gone. You're in that wonderful wringer of life, the super high demand of little kids. So everything is so much more extreme. I hope you enjoy them!