Your best buddy can throw a wrench in your weight loss just as easily as pizza, french fries, and fast food. Those who are close to us have great influence on our eating and exercise habits, says Angela Ginn, registered dietician and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Stay dedicated to your goal by watching out for the diet damagers in your life.
Your boyfriend
Your guy can chow down on wings and pound back beer without gaining weight. Men have a higher amount of muscle mass and lower body fat percent than women, said Heather Mangieri, registered dietician and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Their energy needs are higher, so they can consume more calories. But that doesnt mean your next date night is ruined. Bowing out of the undeclared food competition and taking responsibility for your meal portions is enough to help steer clear of this diet disaster.
AMY BETH BENNETT/SUN SENTINEL/MCT The people you are closest to can have the worst effects on your diet. Here, Madeline Schwartz puts out napkins as she and her husband, Ed, eat lunch in Weston, Fla.
Your grandmother
No matter how much you fight it, your grandma always wants to feed you. She sees it as a welcoming gesture and you see it as diet sabotage, Mangieri said . But instead of completely giving into nanas attempts to put meat on your bones, set some limits. Just help yourself to a single serving or pack a doggie bag for later, says Ginn. Even bringing a healthy snack of your own to contribute can help take the attention off of you and avoid hurt feelings.
Your kids
Whether its to convince them that veggies are edible or an attempt to avoid wasting food, moms tend to eat off their childrens plates. First, you need to break the no food left behind mentality. Instead of picking at scraps, have your kid help you wrap up the leftovers. Not serving them too much in the first place will also benefit both of you -- your child wont overeat, and you wont face temptation during cleanup.
Your college roommates
Pizza, wings and beer may have dominated your college diet, but the new (well, older) you has a harder time preventing pounds from packing on -- you have your decreased muscle mass and metabolism to thank for that. When you reunite with your dorm pals, resist the urge to fall back into old habits -- and hold your ground if your friends make fun of you for it. Equip yourself with one-liners, suggests Mangieri. Something like, Its good of you to offer, but Im feeling way too good to destroy this feeling, she says. If you keep consistently making those comments, eventually theyll get it. Or bypass this sticky situation altogether. Ginn says planning outings around outdoor activities instead of food can help keep your weight loss on track without bringing it to everyone elses attention.
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Protect yourself from weight-loss wreckers with these strategies
