My 'almost inlaws' were visiting for about 10 days... they are from Louisiana and used to good, hearty, stick to your ribs, good old Southern cooking, so of course, our menu the past week and a half has been... different. By different I mean everything was hot and cheesy! Lasagna's, pizza's, gumbos, everything that I wouldn't normally make 10 days in a row. I feel FAT. I excercise pretty regularly ('excersise' = chasing 3 kids and swimming... that's it)... I don't have time to do much else but I definately need to und the damage I've created the past 10 days!! Any thoughts or advise would be FANTASTIC!! It's like detoxing from holiday/Christmas parties... in the middle of summer. Ugh. I just FEEL unhealthy.
Speaking of detox, my 7 month old was spoiled ROTTEN during this visit. Because they live so far away, Nanny pretty much coddled the baby the entire time she was here. I just couldn't take that away from here (even though I knew it would be tough after she left)... and it is. My son has gotten so used to the constant attention that falling back into our regular routine has been pretty rough. I'm a tough love kind of mom, but I feel bad for the little guy at the same time. Again, and suggestions are greatly appreciated!
THANKS LADIES :)
I hate that feeling (unhealthy after overindulging) Drink lots and lots of water, and then drink a little more. I do that, and sometimes I'll have a fruit and veggie day where that's all I can eat. I usually feel better after a couple days.
indulgence from time to time isn't such a bad thing. don't do anything drastic, just be even more conscientious than usual for the next few weeks. fortunately it's summer so there's so much fresh yummy produce available. maybe go raw for 3 days, vegan for 3, then raw for 3 more. a mini cleanse.
as for your baby, PLEASE don't tough love a 7 month old! how wonderful for him to get adored and coddled for a while! no, they don't need that all the time, but every child needs a cookie person. let him bask in it, and then ease him gently back into a more independent routine. i suspect we have similar parenting styles (i firmly believe that children should learn self-entertaining skills at a young age) but you don't want to abandon an infant who is craving one-on-one attention to loneliness. be gentle with the un-spoiling procedure.
:) khairete
S.
it's not going to help now but for next time try smaller portions. Eat slower and put less on your plate. You have to serve dinner that is something they will like but serve something you can eat too as a veggie, side or salad and fill up on that. You also can control your breakfast and lunch. Serve something lite or have everyone help themselves.
I know what your going through b/c when we visit the in-laws the entire trip is planned around eating. For example we'll go to this place b/c it's close to this restaurant. Seems totally backwards to me but that's how they are, what can you do but take care of yourself and your kids.
When it comes to the baby..just keep going over your old routine and he'll get back into it.
Exercise?..use your kids as equipment. :)
I hear ya on the overindulgence...with food that is.
My inlaws, and I have a ton since there are step in laws and half-sisters, etc, come all the time.
We cook and eat VERY healthy. If they come for 1 day, I let it slide. Anything beyond that, I take complete control and tell them that I will be planning the meals. I have plenty available and compromise by making things like pizza. Not as healthy as it could be but better than if we ordered out or my MIL made it.
We also have a vegetarian household, so I buy a few things that I can add to meals for them. Like sausage or pepperoni for the pizza.
I bake healthy muffins and bread in advance and since I am up early with the kids, I have breakfast out and ready....yogurt, fruit, muffins, bagels, cream cheese.
When I go to their houses, I have to eat what is provided, so I think it's only fair that they eat what is at my house. I try to accomodate, I don't make my hard core vegan tofu meals when they are there, but they do need to honor my home. They know how to drive and can go buy a greasy hamburger and fries if they need to.
:)
I think if people come to your house for 10 days, they can get used to your cooking and not eat old fashioned southern fatty food that you do not normally cook. If they are making the meals when they visit, eat half a portion. Now that you've had your food vacation, just get right back to your normal way of eating and don't have any treats for a few weeks. Also be sure to do real exercise. When hubby is home, do a half hour brisk walk or the exercise bike if you have one, or wake up 1/2 hour earlier to be up before the kids to do this.
As for the 7 month old, infants are not spoiled and can't handle "tough love." Infants are meant to be handled, interacted with and shown affection to. Babies who are held a lot gain weight faster and have higher IQ's. Of course, they do not need to be held and interacted with all day but your infant can't realize why there is a change. He will need to get used to not being held all the time - put him in his seat, his exersaucer, etc where he can see you and you can talk to him without holding him every moment like nanny did
your post is vague. you don't have to eat the food you don't want to, or is not good for your body, or you're not used to.
everyone else can indulge on greasy, extra cheese food, you have a salad.
detoxing: well i am not into diets. i am for everything in moderation, but if you're feeling out of whack, then maybe lay off starch, carbs for 5 days, have on meal including those on saturdays and sundays.
also, make your main meal for the weekday with salad and protein (chicken pieces, or fish).
bottom like no carbs for 5 days. yes, once a day on weekends.
your son...a 7 month old cannot handle touch love kinda mom :). so give him the extra attention he seeks and deserves. there will be a time for you to exercise tough love. now is not the age for it.
good luck
Just get back into the regular schedule and tell your son it was a fun vacation, but now it's time to get back to the norm..............and do so......
As for the food, etc.....just do what you do a little longer for a bit.....maybe all of you can go out for a walk together.......adding a little more time to work off the extra pounds and expand the mommy time.
Be firm but understanding, and you will see, that everything in the next week will fall back into normal.........just hang in there.........and good luck.
i just got back from vacation, and i overindulged too... i ate bacon! gasp! anyway, its not all the time, dont sweat it, just remember how much fun it was and get back to your normal self. my quickest way to feel healthier/lighter quickly is to cut out all bread/pasta, and i have a big egg white omlette with veggies and maybe some turkey in it, use olive oil in the pan, and a couple of big cups of coffee. do this every morning for a few days at least, and a light healthy salad/protien for lunch and dinner. take a walk with the baby,... and at 7 mos, no need for tough love yet. plenty of time for that later, like forever.... enjoy these mos, they go so fast :)
There is no need to detox. Just go back to your regular eating and activity routine and you'll be fine. Really. Unless you have some sort of metabolic disorder, you'll get right back to normal pretty quickly.
As for the regular routine, just do it. If your son is having issues with not having as much attention now might be a great time to set aside a certain time of day just for him. If he's only 7 months, he's pretty flexible and will get back to his regular routine. Sounds like Nanny did what Nanny's do! :)
Next time - if they like to go out to eat, they can order what they like and you can order what you like (a salad or a lighter dish). If you are cooking at home - have a dish they like (you have a small or no-thank-you helping of it), and you have your salad (or soup or what ever light thing you like). If you have control of the recipe of the heavier meals - pick variations of it that use low fat cheese and more vegetables than meat and increase the fiber content (whole grains, brown rice, etc). There are lots of ways to deal with this if you plan ahead (plus if you know their visit will be overwhelming calorie wise, you can start exercising and eating healthier than you otherwise would a few weeks prior) to try to lessen the impact a bit.
