Saying no when food is offered is a challenge for a lot of people, myself included. During the holidays, the onslaught of food offered directly to us is amplified. It’s like being on a food conveyor belt, it can be overwhelming. We’re surrounded this time of year, that is, unless you’re hiding from it all.

Here’s a scenario, you can probably relate. You’re at a dinner party, and someone has gone to great efforts to prepare their most delicious dishes for you. They gain pleasure from seeing your mouth and plate full, the more the better. Problem is, they have no idea what’s good for you and in what amounts, how could they, they are not you? You know that if you eat certain foods or portions of food, you will suffer and pay the consequences and I know you don’t want to do that.

This is familiar territory for me, if I eat too much sugar or other specific foods, I’m up all night counting sheep, so I choose carefully if I want to sleep. I love getting good sleep, so I have honed these skills. Remember, I can do whatever I want, but the only person who suffers from my choices is me, and maybe my husband.

Below, I’ve listed a couple of common scenarios and how to navigate them. Try them on, make the responses your own, change the wording, make sure it feels comfortable to you and practice them. It may feel awkward at first, but it’s like a muscle, you have to use it to strengthen it.

Some important things to remember about saying NO:

1- People will be nosey and will want to know why you’re saying no. It can be a combination of concern and curiosity. Whatever it is, you don’t have to indulge it. Do NOT tell them you’re on a diet, please! You should not be dieting anyway, but either way, don’t use that as an excuse.

2-  Be honest, but brief. You’ll notice that the scenario suggestions are honest, but don’t go into detail. Keep it that way, you don’t have to share your whole story, it’s your business unless YOU want to share.

3-  Fear of social rejection is huge with saying no in these situations. Remember, only you can take care of you and your body, and you need to advocate for yourself. Social rejection is better than self rejection, but you can avoid either if you do it right. Take care of yourself!

Here are 3 common scenarios, with ideas for navigating them with grace and ease:

Scenario 1: They’re offering something that looks really good but you know will cause you suffering:

This could be something you’re allergic to, something you know your body does not like. It looks good, but it has pain written all over it. I’m not just talking about physical, it can be mental or emotional pain as well.

Try this on: Look them in the eyes and genuinely say “Thank you, that looks absolutely delicious, wow! I’m going to say no for today, but thank you.”

If they ask why, you can just say:

“Well, my body has it’s limits of what I can get away with, and if I ignore that, I suffer, thank you for understanding.”
Scenario 2: It doesn’t look so good and you really DON’T want to eat it:

This one is more simple, but don’t squirm, be honest.

Try this on:

Take a deep breath and say something like: “Wow, someone else is really going to enjoy that, but I’m going to pass for now, thank you so much!”

If they ask why, you can say:

“Well, to put it simply, my body has it’s limits of what I can eat, and if I ignore that, I suffer, but thank you!”

Scenario 3: You’re offered something that looks good, you know you can eat in reasonable amounts, but you feel like you’re going to go off the rails if you start.

Try this on:

Connect with the hostess and tell her: “Wow, did you read my mind? That looks absolutely delicious. I’m going to have this amount, any more than that and I’ll regret my choices. Thank you!”

If they ask why, you can say:

“Well, I’ve learned to pay attention to my limits and I feel so much better when I do that. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about”

If this last scenarios is hard to do, just know you’re not alone. Being able to stop after starting is one of the hardest things that people face as they eat treat meals or celebration meals.

Also, know that this can change, it’s my great pleasure to help people be able to eat just one and stop with ease. Eating just one, doesn’t mean one bucket of chicken or one pint of ice cream, it represents the amount that feels good to your mind your body and your emotions in the moment and the moments that follow.

Wouldn’t it feel great to be able to eat just one?

So, if that’s appealing to you, please contact me, just hit REPLY to this email. I will sign you up for the next FREE webinar I’m offering about being able to Eat Just One. Once you clear out the old patterns of behavior related to these trigger foods with Acupressure (TAT), you will feel totally in charge and be able to eat just one, without obsession, guilt or regret, just a whole lot of freedom.

Just hit REPLY and I’ll add you to my list.

And, I also want to know, what would you add to the list above? There are so many possible scenarios that I didn’t list. If you have one you’re struggling with, hit reply and I’ll give you some free coaching.

Enjoy your holidays!

All the best,