I’m So Disappointed… You’ve Cheated On Me Signed, Your Weekend Diet

Ah, the weekend.  Two glorious days (possibly a few hours more if you begin weekend observance on Friday afternoon!) where you are free to be the relaxed version of you. 

That is great when it means relaxing and enjoying life with time spent among friends and family, fun hikes, family walks, a long bike ride.  Not so great?  When it also relaxes your commitment to healthy eating!

We’ve all been there.  We think, “what the heck?  Weekend!” and proceed to eat several days worth of less-than-healthy to downright junk.  Then comes the guilt, and probably the sluggish Ick Factor feeling too.  Stop the madness!

Why are weekends such a temptation?  There are a number of reasons, some of the biggest include:

·      Lack of Structure: Weekends are generally less structured and change from one weekend to the next, often with loosely planned events or one-time things.

·      More Entertaining: backyard barbeques, eating out at restaurants, date nights, family gatherings, kids birthday parties (and cake)… so many things include food.

·      Mentality: We think of weekends as being fun and relaxing, and too often, we associate that with freedom to eat anything that makes us feel fun and relaxed… but we have the wrong foods on that list!

So what can you do to fight this situation?  How do you reclaim your healthy eating on the weekends? 

I have some ideas (you knew that I would!)

·      Remember that “Healthy Eating” is not a punishment!  There are so many great foods that are delicious and healthy… why would anyone think that rosemary grilled chicken breast with some grilled onions, red peppers and zucchini served over ½ cup of whole wheat couscous is a horrible fate?

Not only is it not a punishment, you will feel so fulfilled eating healthy, balanced and satisfying foods and will probably have a sunnier, more energetic outlook to enjoy your weekend!

·      Have a Weekend Recipes File of healthy menu ideas:

·      Things that are a little more special, maybe take a little more prep and shopping time than you have during the week. 

·      Include new, never tried but sound great recipes and be adventurous.

·      Include old favorites, and things that incorporate something social like grilling during the warmer months or comforting like a crock-pot during the chilly months.

·      Just go to the Farmer’s Market or local organic store (like a Whole Foods if you have one or something similar, or just the organic meat and produce section of your own store) and let the freshest, most beautiful ingredients inspire you!

·      Have some Weekend Food Rules you follow, whatever is right for you:

a.     Make them specific enough to really guide you and become habit.

b.     Allow yourself one blow it all treat once a week so you don’t feel deprived (things in moderation are usually not evil!) and weekends can make an excellent time for that treat (that ONE treat!)

c.      For dining out, know in advance the type of places that serve more healthy items, or how to order from any menu and get a better balance – salad dressings on the side, steamed veggies instead of fries, etc.

·      Don’t skip meals!  You have to treat your body right, and eating regular meals keeps your blood sugar stable and your metabolism firing!  Weekends with their odd schedules can sometimes leave you too hungry and making poor choices.

·      Exercise!  It will help you feel great, and if you choose to have your once a week treat on the weekends, you can know you are still following all your other healthy habits. 

·      Plan for special events.  If you know you’ll be eating things not on your healthy plan (gasp, it does happen) then plan for it with some SUPER healthy meals in between or all week long to create a little more balance.  It isn’t ideal to do trade offs regularly, but there are actually people who are very strict six days a week and pick the seventh to just eat whatever crosses their path and really believe it helps them.  Not everyone has the willpower though – one day of “whatever” eating becomes two, then three… then trouble!

Relax, enjoy your weekend, and embrace the beautiful, healthy foods that also wear the labels of scrumptious and fun!

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5 Signs You May Be a Control Freak

If all your relationships fail, who is at blame? Is it always the other person? Did they have trouble following even the smallest of your instructions? Perhaps they did not appreciate your suggestions at how they could be better at just…everything. If this sounds familiar, maybe it wasn’t them. Maybe the problem at hand is you. Although it might be a hard concept to grasp, maybe you are just a bit too controlling.

Signs that You Might be a Control Freak

Adult control freaks are like schoolyard bullies, just all grown up. You know exactly who these people are, and we it seems that we all have at least one of these people who always know how to push our buttons. They act as if they’re the only one who can complete the tasks correctly, and act as if it would hurt them to share a job. Then once the job is over, they almost always complain about the fact that they didn’t have any help.

Is this person you? Do you feel that you are always making decisions and working your tail off to please everyone? Maybe you don’t always make the decisions, but you regret it in the end because everyone else’s ideas just aren’t as good as yours. Instead of just making the decision yourself, you drop hints at what you think should be done, knowing that if someone would just pick up on it, then your idea will be used.

The Control Freak Toolbox

Control freaks are masters of manipulation, especially control freaks in relationships. They are used to getting what they want, either by making decisions for large groups of people or simply manipulating the situation into their favor. Even celebrities aren’t immune from it. Victoria Beckham once admitted, “I am a control freak. I am very hands on and pay attention to details.” These are some of the tools they use are:

• Guilt. Control freaks will bring up past experiences where things ended up horribly, especially if it was your fault. You’ll be sure to make the right decision the next time, especially on their watch.  A sign that you’re dating a control freak could definitely be the feeling of constant grief over one event.
• Exaggeration. They will make things so much worse than they really are, just so people take pity on them and they can get whatever they please.
• Belittling. Control freaks are very good at making you feel very small and horrible about you. With you out of the way, they have more of a chance at getting what they want accomplished.
• Passive-Aggressive. Control freaks have an uncanny way of pushing an event that goes awry back on you. When confronted, something along the lines of, “Well, I thought that so and so really wanted to do this” will come out of their mouth, turning it all back onto you.
• Empty threats. They will hold things over your head, and threaten to use them if things don’t go their way. Chances are that they won’t ever do it, but they will get their way.

Admitting and Overcoming Your Control Freak Status

Nobody likes to admit that they’re a control freak. Frankly, it can be quite embarrassing for someone to admit something that many people see as a flaw, especially for people that are obsessed with everything going perfectly, and going their own way in particular. Once you admit your control freak tendencies, then you can take steps to work towards accepting that perfection doesn’t equal self-worth. You’ll find that stepping back improves your relationships with others, and while not everyone’s ideas are as good as yours, trying new things can be fun. Who knows, you might even like it!

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