Sticking to a training and nutrition program can come with various obstacles and challenges.
One of the trickiest to negotiate can be dealing with “food pushers”.
If you have a specific health and fitness goal, it can be hard to say “no” to colleagues who bring biscuits to the office, family who bake for you, or friends who want to drink with you.
When we think of “food pushers”, we assume they are trying to sabotage us but that’s not always the case.
More often than not they are just well-intentioned gestures from those who want to connect with you and show they care but aren’t considering your current health and fitness goals.
Remember, if you really want to have something, have it! However, you are well within your rights to say “no, thank you” to something you don’t feel will serve you or your goals right now.
The difficulty is sometimes in how to say “no,” because you don’t want to hurt people’s feelings.
Here are 5 top tips on how to best approach those uncomfortable situations:
1. The “one is not going to kill you – go on!”
The approach: “I know but I also know myself and once I start I just can’t stop, so at the moment, I’d prefer to stick to my goals, but thank you.”
2. The “everyone else is having one, don’t be so strict.”
The approach: “Food will always be there and right now I am determined to reach my goal. I am happy to sit and chat with you whilst you all enjoy it!”
3. The “I made this especially for you!”
The approach: “That is very thoughtful of you and I have always loved your ____ but I will give it a miss for today and save for another day. I hope you understand.”
4. The “let’s go get some cocktails to celebrate!”
The approach: “I can’t wait to celebrate with you, but how about we go for a spa day or go shopping to celebrate instead?”
5. The “go on, I will have another piece if you do!”
The approach: “It is totally fine for you to have another, please enjoy! But I don’t want any just now thank you.”
A balanced diet is the best way to go – realistic and achievable. The fact is, a diet isn’t universal – it differs from person to person according to your body type and goals.
So what should you consider when it comes to looking beyond just the calorie content of your food? Read here to find out.
