I crave rich, fatty foods food sometimes — usually when I’ve had a bad day. But, the LAST thing I want to do in this situation is stay in, get some junk food and eat it alone! My friends and I have a strategy we use to try and keep weight off.  Here’s what we do: if we need some cheering up and want to eat something naughty, we have three rules we ALWAYS make sure to follow:

1. Go OUT
Don’t bring the food in! If you go out, there are several advantages. First, you won’t have leftovers laying around that you’ll be tempted to eat later on when you’re already satisfied. Also, eating out is more expensive, so you probably won’t want to order as much, and your portions will most likely be smaller. Finally, you get exercise on the way there and on the way back, even if you’re just walking to the car and back!

2. Take a friend
You’ll have more fun if you have a partner in crime.  Eating junk food alone is just depressing. Besides, your friends and you can be good influences on one another. You will probably eat something healthier when it’s the two of you as opposed to if it’s just you ordering.

3. SHARE the food!
This way, you only eat a portions of what you would eat if you were alone. Also, if you’re with friends, talking and laughing, you’re more likely to eat less because you’re having fun. You can concentrate on being together, and being in a good mood.

Now, notice that we didn’t say that we don’t eat what we want. Because we do! This plan works with all kinds of foods. Whether it’s pizza, ice cream, popcorn, whatever — I find that if we go out and eat it together, and have fun, then the focus switches from stuffing our faces to actually getting in a better mood. Try it — it works like a charm.

Bisous,
Elodie