HELP! I need support. I am going to visit family out of the country next Friday for a week and I don't want to get off track like I have in the past. I will try to run every AM so i won't feel as bad, but my family loves to pile on the hand made tortillas with beans and meat! And they get insulted if i decline. any advice????????????????????:so rry:

Can you just take the food, then stop eating when you're full, even if it means leaving some.

yes but my current diet consists of NOTHING like hand made tortillas, barley any butter or salt, etc so im scared that even the slighest change will affect my weight!!!!!!!!!! :

I agree with the other poster. When I am in situations like that where I do not have total control of my food situation, I just try to eat half of what I would normally eat. Tell them ahead of time that you are looking forward to enjoying some good food (because you really should look forward to it---it's not every day that you get that food), but that you are watching your weight and do not want to pig out.

Controlling portion size is the best way to go. Also, think about it: Even if you were to consume 1000 calories a day more than you consume now, that would mean that you gained two pounds for the week. You can get that two pounds off within a couple of weeks. Don't sweat it! It's what you eat MOST of the time that really counts.

Some people think there's never any excuse for going off plan. I'm not one of them.

How often will this be an issue? If you're going to see them all the time, clearly you'll have to find a strategy to deal with it. If this is rare, what will happen if you eat what they feed you? Assuming you use portion control, you won't get fatter by eating different foods, as long as you don't eat too many calories. You might gain some water weight. If you go back to your plan you'll lose that quickly enough.

I'm sure some one else will disagree with me, but that's probably what I would do.

You could always offer to prepare one of the meals. I would be willing to bet that since its family you're visiting, they are bound to notice that you've lost 70 lbs!. Tell them you'd like to share one of your special recipes that you've come across...

I too, would just probably eat what they cooked and enjoy it. You've done really really well in your weight loss. People who have never had to struggle with their weight get to indulge....they just don't do it every day....

I think portion control is the way to go and if you do not want to eat something they have you can always use the 'I am allergic to that" card.

I would probably consider it a maintenance week and aim to eat to maintain your current weight. There is nothing wrong with fresh tortillas, beans, and meat. Since you are getting close to goal, it'll be good to use this week as a trial for eating to maintain.

Yes, don't sweat it!! Look at Denise Austin, she believes in having any food once in awhile. She eats hamburgers and fries once per month and she has NO fat on her body at all. Plus, because you work out, you will be fine. You probably wont even gain 1 pound. Have fun!

First of all, congrats on your weight loss!!

I just came back from a cruise to the Caribbean, so I know what you mean, to a degree. I had a lot more control of what I ate than you will. Is there any way you can buy some of your own food? Will you be eating out?

I agree with everyone else. Moderation is the key to getting past this. When you get back, just pick up your diet where you left off. I'm not saying go hog wild. Just try to enjoy your time with your family.

Thanks for the advice! I will let everyone know how it went

I'm going to visit family in MExico and sometimes they just don't understand the "diet" (cultural differences.. everyone down there just EATS! haha) But I won't really be eating out, mostly homemade food. The good is they don't use many fats to cook the food in, but it's just a LOT of food. Portion control seems like the best solution!

Like you already said, moderation will be key. It's not bad food, it's just food. Enjoy it! Remember, feeling lightly full is much better than feeling bloated full. You will be able to enjoy your visit much more if not comatose from too much food. Let us know how it goes!

Perhaps you can compensate for eating less by praising the food really enthusiastically? I mean, they're bound to notice your fabulous weight loss, so perhaps talk about how lovely the food is, and what a treat it is, and then it won't seem like you're rejecting the food when you don't eat so much. You could also suggest that you're not used to big meals anymore? Less of you to keep up and all.

Best of luck! Remember, it's only a week, so even if you have to eat everything your family hand you, it can only be a few pounds - frustrating, but not worth beating yourself up over.