Garam Samosa

I have neglected this series for a while and today I have managed to fight the writer’s block and post a (short but) new addition to this series. I originally made this series to track my thoughts while providing some form of help for you lovelies. Before I continue on to today’s post, I have linked the previous posts in this series if you would like to have a read of those ones as well:

1. Getting Fit | A Few Things to Consider
2. Getting Fit | Motivation
3. Getting Fit | My Top 5 Instagram Fitness Bloggers
4. Getting Fit | How to Fight Cravings

Today’s post is all about a few things that one should NEVER say to someone who is TRYING to lose weight. No matter what stage of their journey that they are at, I am sure the 3 comments below are a painful, annoying, frustrating, and saddening.  Although the comments come from a good place, sometimes the damage is more than expected and can lead to a few steps backward.

Disclaimer: Under no circumstances am I a professional so if you do start to workout or a food plan make sure to consult with a professional before starting. You are perfect the way you are and in writing this series I am not trying to say that everyone needs to work out or be on a food plan. The final say really comes down to your health, needs, wants and most importantly you. If you don’t what to workout or go on a food plan then don’t; as long as your doctor or nutritionist clears you.

Don’t say: Let’s eat [treat food] for a “cheat meal.”

Do say: Why don’t we treat ourselves to a [non-food treat]?

Having cheat meals are perfectly fine. Not having cheat meals are perfectly fine as well. However, if you are with someone who is working out and has a food plan, do not offer foods that trigger them. I personally strongly dislike it when someone offers me food when I am trying to lose weight. I don’t follow a food plan but I make small switches that make a big impact on my weight (snacking and portion control basically). Someones when someone asks me if I am going to buy that brownie or those hot chips literally the moment I walk into a cafe this are the 3 things that go through my mind:

1. Anger: the fact that you think that I would only ever order those. Like yes, I have ordered them constantly but that doesn’t give you the right to negatively comment on my eating (I personally find this very negative).
2. Sad: I feel sad/upset that since I am on “diet” as such that I can’t eat this food that I love as often as I used to. Breaking a habit can also affect you mentally before the good happens.
3. Annoyed: I then get annoyed at the whole situation from the way I feel to the stereotyping of only ordering certain food.

Instead of saying let’s eat this or let’s eat that, why not offer to go on a day-trip to the nearest beach or a new town. If that is too much then you can easily visit a new part of town or simply be a tourist in your own home town. This way someone who is trying to lose weight can not worry about food as such since they can easily pack their own food and drinks.

Don’t say: Why don’t you try this [insert diet, workout plan or anything] instead?

Do say: I do read into a few [insert diet, workout plan or anything], why do you choose this one? If you don’t mind me asking.

DO NOT repeat, DO NOT offer any advice if you were not asked to. It does not matter if someone is simply testing out a bunch of diets, workout plans or anything or someone seems like or actually does know what they are doing. SIMPLY DON’T OFFER ADVICE. ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON’T DO SAID ADVICE YOURSELF!!!!!!! Here are the top 3 pieces of advice that are common:

1. Don’t eat carbs around bedtime
2. Don’t eat again after dinner, that’s how you been gaining weight.
3. Don’t eat that much it is not good for you

Instead of undermining all the hard work that someone has done by a simple “why don’t you” or “don’t”, one way to suggest something it to either not do it all or say it in a positive way and ask for the reasons of their ways. Use their reasons to make conversation and the moment you realize that the other person is getting uncomfortable stop the conversation and either change the topic of the conversation or call it a day and end the conversation.

Just take the judgment out of the conversation and you should be fine.

Don’t say: What happened to your diet? You are eating [insert food] and you’re trying to lose weight, how are you going to lose weight.

Do say: NOTHING AT ALL

I cannot explain how frustrating it is when you are trying to enjoy your meal or snack or food and someone comments on what you’re eating. Like just because you are trying to lose weight it does not mean that you CUT out foods it means that you eat foods according to your meal plan. Just don’t comment on anything when someone is eating. If they regret eating the food later, don’t say “I told you so” instead, say something positive like “now you know a soft spot and you know where you can iron out a few creases. It is not the end but yet another stepping stone.”

These are 3 of the main comments that I can think of at the moment of the top of my head. This post has got me tearing up in the middle of the cafeteria when I am supposed to be preparing for my class so I am going to end it here.

For everyone who is trying to lose weight: I just want to let you know that no matter what people say, at the end of the day you need to take care of yourself. If that means doing things a little differently or listening to a random idea or eating that chocolate bar then do it. You do you boo.

For everyone who is giving advice: Please, please, please, please, please, pleeeease do not offer advice that is not asked for. Although you are trying to help and you are coming from a good place, you may actually do more damage than good.

Disclaimer: Under no circumstances am I a professional so if you do start to workout or a food plan make sure to consult with a professional before starting. You are perfect the way you are and in writing this series I am not trying to say that everyone needs to work out or be on a food plan. The final say really comes down to your health, needs, wants and most importantly you. If you don’t what to workout or go on a food plan then don’t; as long as your doctor or nutritionist clears you.

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As always, thank you for being the Samosauce to my Garam Samosa!!!

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