Day 6 Weight Loss Habits: Protect Your Weight Loss Program

No one will ever care as much about your diet plan as you. So it's your job to prevent people or events from pulling you off the track. Instead of depending on others to help you be successful with your diet, make a commitment that you will protect your program at all cost!

Watch for ways to recognize and avoid situations that might cause you to weaken. Rather than assume you'll be able to resist your mom's apple pie or the potluck casseroles at work, don't put yourself in the situation where you'll have to test your willpower.

Not Just Yet, I am On "Diet" and I happy with it

Here's a great way to protect yourself when you're around other people. Anytime you feel pressured to eat something, you can sidestep the food pusher by hinting that you'll eat it later. Whenever someone offers you food, respond by saying, "Not Just Yet; I'm going to wait a little time"

If you're asked again, simply repeat this phrase or another variation of it such as, "Thanks, but I'll still wait a little bit." Saying "not just yet" gives you a gracious way to handle being pushed to eat when you don't want to. Because this magic phrase convinces people you''ll eat eventually, they'll leave you alone for the moment.

When you're invited to take seconds or eat dessert, make it sounds as if you'll have some later, then quietly slip away from the table. Anytime someone encourages you to eat, such as at baby showers, birthday parties, or other social gatherings, you can use the "not just yet" line again and again. Even if you skip food during the entire event, you'll find that most people never notice you didn't eat.

Don't discuss your "diet"

Often it's best to avoid getting caught up in conversations about dieting and weight loss. When people ask how you're losing weight, simply tell them you're following a healthy eating program. You can even respond to their questions by saying "My weight loss counselor recommends that we don't discuss the program because talking about food makes us want to eat"

Finally protect your weight loss program during long, empty times such as evenings or weekends when it's easy to start looking for food. Stay occupied by planning activities or pulling out some good books. When you're tempted to give in and eat, recite the words, "I must protect my diet program at all costs!"

• Watch for chances to respond to food invitations by using the line, "Not just yet; I'm going to wait a little while"
• Identify at least three high risk times or events such as family gatherings or quiet weekends. In your notebook, write down how you'll protect your diet program during each of these.
• Do at least one thing today that reinforces your determination to protect your program at all costs.