Thinking Out Loud- Sabotage

Hi Guys! It's Thursday, so it's time to start Thinking Out Loud! This week, however is a little less random than  usual (Yes! You all scream:) and has a point and direction, as well as a meaning behind it- cue *gasp* :)

Now don't freak out too much- it's still a post about a topic that should be thought about and I'm doing it out loud! ;)

I was reading an article in the current issue of Healthy Food Guide Australia where it was talking about how someone close to you (think friend/ family member) can be sabotaging your healthy living goals. At first I was like; Huh? However some of the facts presented began to ring true.

Obviously your loved ones are not actively going out of their way to make you unhealthy, but it's  a subconscious thing they may be doing without you or them noticing it.

Yeh, I was confused too. At first...
Let's think about this for a second. How many times have you been out with a friend, said 'no thanks' to something like an ice cream, or extra slice of pizza, only to have them say something like; 'Go on, you're so skinny anyway, have another piece, or order the ice cream with me, we'll start being healthy again after this!'

And how many times have you done this to some one else?

Just kidding- I'm sure we've all done it... this was just an excuse for a pun :)

Now the article says that this is because people find it difficult to see others having success in their weight loss goals, while they are still struggling (or in most cases not really trying to be healthy at all). I partly agree with this, but I think it's more than that. I think people want to feel good about themselves, less guilty for their unhealthy habits and if dragging you down by making you eat something not so good for you, or on your off-limits list, then that's what they'll do.

With you indulging as well, you ease their guilt and make them feel better. Win for them. Loss for you.

So what can you do to get out of this mess pile of marshmallows? Well, indulging just to make the other person feel better helps no one in the long run. They will continue with their unhealthy habits and you will swerve off you're highway to health.

However, don't break up with your best friend or get emancipated from your family. They don't really want to hurt you, or sabotage you. It's simply human nature to want to feel good about yourself. I agree with the magazine in the best way to tackle this issue. Firstly reassess your relationship with food. Removing any nice and naughty labels. A healthy diet should be about happiness and balance. Going out for an ice cream, or indulging in a bit of pizza shouldn't bring you guilt and it shouldn't bring someone else comfort from their guilty pleasures- it should just be you and them enjoying food.

I believe it really is as simple as that- a slight mind shift on both parties. If both people see food as something other than bad guys or good guys, little devils or little angels, yin or yang and right or wrong and start seeing food as food, then the key to success is- as cliche as it is- moderation!

Take the healthy living pyramid. It's a pyramid because the serving sizes of different things get smaller the further up you get- take note that the pyramid doesn't get rid of anything, it just gets smaller revealing that a healthy life includes those sometimes foods.

I think I'm getting slightly off topic though and am starting to go into a post I want to write later on! To sum up my view on others sabotaging your diet, I believe it's out there, it happens and whether the person consciously means to steer you off your healthy goals, health is all about balance and the key to preventing this is to,yes, stick to your goals, maybe even rub off on your friends and family, but don't be afraid to indulge. With everything in moderation you will truly be happy, you will truly be healthy and this idea of your loved ones sabotaging your goals will be simply that- an idea!

What are your thoughts on this topic?
Have you ever felt guilty about eating something and then making someone else eat it too?
Do you indulge every once in a while?

I'm interested to see what others think about this as it is a strange concept!

I hope you all have a great day and don't forget to head on over to Spoons to see what every one else is thinking out loud about!

Bye for now friends! :D