Family weekend travel and wedding panic!

[Loewen]

Headed out to a 3 day wedding bash for family. Rehearsal dinner, wedding dinner and brunch on Sunday. How in the world do I stick to my induction diet regimen without offending everyone around me for not "cleaning my plate"?

I don't want to imply to everyone that I'm on the Atkins diet (not that I'm ashamed of it). I'm just not one to boast about fasting or being on a diet.

Please HELP!

[not2late]

Re: Family weekend travel and wedding panic!

Headed out to a 3 day wedding bash for family. Rehearsal dinner, wedding dinner and brunch on Sunday. How in the world do I stick to my induction diet regimen without offending everyone around me for not "cleaning my plate"?

I don't want to imply to everyone that I'm on the Atkins diet (not that I'm ashamed of it). I'm just not one to boast about fasting or being on a diet.

Please HELP!

Why does your family expect to "clean your plate"? Or rather, why does you family require you to "clean your plate"?

If you had a medical problem that required you to eat a low sodium diet, would they disown you if you didn't eat the potato chips they offered you?

If you were allergic to peanuts, would they never speak to you again if you didn't eat the peanut butter sandwich they gave you?

Put yourself first!

You don't need to explain to anyone why you aren't eating whatever food. I generally tell people "No thanks, I'm still getting through all of this" and point at my plate. When I finish eating and they're still pushing food, I tell them "I can't eat another bite!"

Now for a rant......

When I was heavier, I noticed people expected me to eat whatever they put in front of me. Like I was a starving person fresh out of a famine. And if I didn't eat it, then something was wrong with me---I was ill or I was in a bad mood or something! But I also noticed these same people who shovelled food to me, never pushed food onto the skinny-minnies. Oh no....if skinny-minnie ate a few bites and said she/he can't eat anymore, no one pushed them to eat seconds. No one sliced them huge portions of pie or cake. No one piled scoops of ice cream on their dishes. If skinny-minnie took a slice of cake the thickness of a credit card, no one said anything about it.

So put yourself first. This is a big social event, so unless you make a big deal out of not eating certain foods, everyone will be too busy to notice.

[JulieB]

Re: Family weekend travel and wedding panic!

I agree - I went to a pot-luck recently and I thought the meat & salad on my plate would be the talk of the town. No one noticed! I could barely believe it.

If someone does ask, I simply say "I'm watching what I eat". I agree though, I'd rather not have to say anything at all. not2late's idea is good too: 'I'm not hungry' or 'I've had enough' really should be enough if anyone asks.

I know its hard - I hate to have people talking about me - and I hate to admit that I'm on a "diet" again since I've tried and failed so many times. But I refuse to allow these things to stop me from doing what's good for ME.

We're here for you!

[Loewen]

Re: Family weekend travel and wedding panic!

I was quite embarassed last week when a neighbor asked my wife and I over to supper. I politely said we'd love to come over, but also asked what would be on the menu (difficult to ask). We had to decline the invitation becuase they were eating breaded chicken and pasta.

They actually were offended when I tried to explain...

Such is life.

[imagood1]

Re: Family weekend travel and wedding panic!

why don't you invite your neighbors over for dinner at your house and serve the food you eat now. When we've gone out I eat what I want off the plates and leave it at that. When I was ask why I wasn't eating I told them - when I started getting the usual crap I walked away - it's not their health, it's mine. Believe me, I've done much more dangerous things to my body that eat healthy!

[not2late]

Re: Family weekend travel and wedding panic!

They were offended because you couldn't eat breaded chicken and pasta?

That's too bad. When I have people over, I don't get bent out of shape because Joe is a vegan and can't eat the grilled chicken. And I don't get offended because Chris is allergic to eggs and can't eat the quiche.

As the host/hostess, it's your obligation to accomodate your guests. If you don't want to put yourself out, then don't invite people over.

[Fancy1952]

Re: Family weekend travel and wedding panic!

They were offended because you couldn't eat breaded chicken and pasta?

That's too bad. When I have people over, I don't get bent out of shape because Joe is a vegan and can't eat the grilled chicken. And I don't get offended because Chris is allergic to eggs and can't eat the quiche.

As the host/hostess, it's your obligation to accomodate your guests. If you don't want to put yourself out, then don't invite people over.

Funny, whenever I have my friends over for the weekend, one set is on a diet, the other - even though she knew I was doing WW at the time, always brought squares or cookies or dessert for supper! She needs to do Atkins too, for sure, so the the "h***" does she do that!!!

Around here, we don't belong to the "clean plate club". Wonder what your family would say to that? Loewen Stick to your guns, as the other girls said, it's your health. If you don't look after you, no one else will.

Suzanne