What should I do in this situation?

I have an older family member in my household who does not care about their body and regularly brings home sweet things like donuts and cake. I often find it difficult to resist these treats and I do indulge more than I would like to. I don't want to abstain from them, but I do want to know some tips on how to resist them when I need to. This family member has been considerate from time to time and not brought home as many because they know I don't like having so much bad stuff in the house, but there is still too much and it is usually up to my husband to help finish them off which isn't so good for his health either. He cares about his body and is trying to lose weight so he doesn't need the temptation. Any ideas?

Suggest that that older family member keep the junk food in his/her bedroom and eat them there.  Not sure if they'd be okay with that but if they would do that I think it would help a lot.

Give yourself something that is easier on your diet but satisfies the urge.  Like a skinny cow ice cream sandwich instead of regular ice cream.

My family is a bit guilty of this too. If your family knows you're watching what you eat, then that's a good start. Perhaps ask them to put the food somewhere else, or even at the back of the fridge/cupboard. Then put low cal foods which you really enjoy (for me this would be strawberries, tea, sultanas) at the front so that when you're feeling like a snack and you open the fridge... BAM! Favourite healthy food is staring you smack in the face! Then your brain has a nice alternaive for you to go for. I find this helps with me.

Original Post by megham1:

 regularly brings home sweet things like donuts and cake. I often find it difficult to resist these treats and I do indulge more than I would like to. I don't want to abstain from them, but I do want to know some tips on how to resist them when I need to.

I've been at this a little while now and I loves me some Cake! I live right next door to a bakery, so I am 32 seconds away from any sweet I so desire.  I have a slice of cake 5 out of the 7 days.  I'm maintaining now so it makes it a little easier to have these enjoyments.  But even in lose mode I wasnt going to lose  my cake.  I just incorporated it into my eating plan.  Granted not as frequently but a minimum of once or twice aweek.   So I totally understand your situation.

When I read the words you wrote above whats stands out to me  is Regularly"  and "Resist when I need to."   We all know any change begins in the mind or how we think about things.  So the trick is to change your thinking!  For me it was easy because I knew they were right there and always would be.  I was never going to deprived.   As I would pass by that window if a goody jumped out and caught my eye I would think... "Yum, if it sounds good to me later I will come back for it. " or "That looks really good! I'm going to make sure to fit that in tomorrow."    If it was one of those days where I just had to have it... I would have it.  Its far better to have a piece of the pie then the whole pie if you know what I mean.

I'm an impulse person, an instant gratification,  reacting as opposed to acting.  Hard thing to admit to yourself but it can be used for the good as well.  At the forefront of my journey I had a mantra that I still use today when I really need it.  It is; Never give up what you Want Most, for what you want at the Moment.  I had that posted everywhere!  LOL  On the fridge, cupbaord, pantry door, above my scale, on the bathroom mirror, bedside lamp, computer screen.  I even had it in my change purse!  <~~ Impulse buys.   By ingraining that into me it gave me time enough to think on how bad I wanted something.  It also gave me time enough to think about which I wanted more.  Am I reacting because I am hungry, angry, lonely, or tired? 

Those 4 feelings always put me at my most vulnerable.  ( I made an acronym with the first letters... H.A.L.T. ) If it was one of those then I would take care of that first.  Feelings are fleeting, always changing.  Was cake going to cure any of them?  Nah.  I will still be hungry after cake. One piece never filled me up.  I'll probably be angrier because I succumbed to a whim or an emotion.  Knowing I could of made a better choice.  Cake was never the best company.  A darned good accompaniment but not good company.  So I will still be lonely.  And finally, will I still be tired after cake?  Probably more so after the sugar crash comes.

Sorry this is turning into a book.  Bottom line, go easy on yourself.  And go easy on the cake. Its always going to be there. 

Alleine, thanks so much for writing that book! You made some excellent points. I did allow myself a small peice of choculate the other night and did not regret it because it was under control. You are right that I should think about what I am really feeling when I crave something;and yes, it will still be there tomorrow.

Awww, I'm so glad I was able to help.    

I'm a firm believer that food is meant to be enjoyed not regretted.  Next time you see those goodies ask yourself, If I eat this now will I enjoy it or will I regret it?  If your going to regret it... forget it.  LOL  Save it for a time when you can truely savor the flavor and enjoy it.