RANT: If you are going to diet, then diet!

[DisneyWalker44]

I tend to be extremely sympathetic to folks dieting. I've experienced friends and family members going through weight watchers, etc. Never had a problem adapting plans to meet their needs. Actually, had a lot of fun learning about the point system.

But allow me to vent for a second about this weekend. We were vacationing with family, one of whom is on weight watchers. We rearrange the schedule so he can go to a local meeting. We are late getting someplace because he wants to walk rather than drive (to justify a few extra points). Then watch him push for a dinner restaurant where he eats a massive amount of junk. Then ice cream for desert.

The next day he rejects the first 4 restaurant suggestions (because they won't fit into his diet) and finally pick someplace that has a special weight watcher menu. We get there to see him order complete junk (not on the special menu obviously) plus dessert. Sheesh.

If you are on a diet - then diet. Heck, we'll even understand if you slip a bit; dieting is tough. But don't run your friends and family through hoops so you can pretend you are on a diet, if you aren't actually going to try.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Sounds like someone is using their "diet" to manipulate others. Even if this person really is on a diet, I would not alter my plans for their diet. They could find a way to work it in, or they could stay at home...

 

[okeydokey]

When we vacation with family, if we want to try different things (restaurants, activities) we just go our separate ways for a while. Let them go to the restaurant they choose, and you go where you want.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When we vacation with family, if we want to try different things (restaurants, activities) we just go our separate ways for a while. Let them go to the restaurant they choose, and you go where you want.

Ditto.

 

[Evil Genius]

I tend to be extremely sympathetic to folks dieting. I've experienced friends and family members going through weight watchers, etc. Never had a problem adapting plans to meet their needs. Actually, had a lot of fun learning about the point system.

But allow me to vent for a second about this weekend. We were vacationing with family, one of whom is on weight watchers. We rearrange the schedule so he can go to a local meeting. We are late getting someplace because he wants to walk rather than drive (to justify a few extra points). Then watch him push for a dinner restaurant where he eats a massive amount of junk. Then ice cream for desert.

The next day he rejects the first 4 restaurant suggestions (because they won't fit into his diet) and finally pick someplace that has a special weight watcher menu. We get there to see him order complete junk (not on the special menu obviously) plus dessert. Sheesh.

If you are on a diet - then diet. Heck, we'll even understand if you slip a bit; dieting is tough. But don't run your friends and family through hoops so you can pretend you are on a diet, if you aren't actually going to try.

I would have called him on it. Asked him why he didn't order off the WW menu since that was the main reason you ALL had to eat there. PP hit the nail on the head when they said it was manipulation. I would no longer go out to eat with this person. I would choose my own restaurant and tell them you will meet up with them later

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I'd just stop eating with him.

It would annoy the snot out of me and I'd have to say something, and the best way I know to not piss people off IRL is to just avoid them when they're being idiots...

 

[MushyMushy]

That does sound very manipulative. Best excuse ever to do exactly what he wanted to do, because who would want to come off as unsupportive to a dieter?

My diet doesn't affect anybody around me. I can go to any restaurant and find a meal with a reasonable count of fat and calories and/or I can cut the meal in half to take home.

I'm not sure I would have called the person on it because he just would have made it out like you were being unsupportive, but I think I'd just avoid eating with this person, or suggest we split up for meals.

 

[alldiz]

Yikes....I would have also asked him...."Whats up with that"?.....

totally ridiculous......and rude
Kerri

 

[sbell111]

I think that you are being too hard on him.

I can totally understand making decisions that would inconvenience others such as wanting to walk to burn a few calories or to choose restaurants because they offer food that is good for me. Still, I might certainly slip and not be able to resist that stuff that I shouldn't eat.

Dieting is hard. If it were easy, we would all be trim.

 

[Shutterbug]

When we vacation with family, if we want to try different things (restaurants, activities) we just go our separate ways for a while. Let them go to the restaurant they choose, and you go where you want.

Then you must not be part of my family

When family vacations, my mother INSISTS that EVERYONE must do everything together because that is the point of it. We waist hours trying to decide on a place that will make everyone happy because mom says we have to everything together

 

[dismom2]

Did anybody actually say anything to him when he was ordering, or eating all that "junk"? I think after the first or second time of pulling that, I'd have asked him why he insisted in going to this certain place if he wasn't going to order a healthy meal. If you asked him, what did he say?

 

[sbell111]

Did anybody actually say anything to him when he was ordering, or eating all that "junk"? I think after the first or second time of pulling that, I'd have asked him why he insisted in going to this certain place if he wasn't going to order a healthy meal. If you asked him, what did he say?

Obviously, he wanted to go there because he intended to stick to his diet. Therefore, I don't see how a confrontation about it would be helpful.

 

[Shutterbug]

Obviously, he wanted to go there because he intended to stick to his diet. Therefore, I don't see how a confrontation about it would be helpful.

Then why didnt he????
From what the op said the whole purpose of making a big deal of going to these places was so he could order the diet menu. Why would he make a big deal about going to these places if he didnt order the diet menu?

I would for be ticked off.

 

[dismom2]

Obviously, he wanted to go there because he intended to stick to his diet. Therefore, I don't see how a confrontation about it would be helpful.

According to the OP, he was basically inconveniencing the rest of the group....repeatedly....so he could stick to his diet, but then repeatedly eating just a load of junk, and dessert. Why wouldn't anyone have the right to say anything under those circumstances?

If the majority of the group gave up where they wanted to go just for the purpose of allowing this one person to keep to his diet, then he should have tried a little harder to stick to it, or else not dictate where everyone eats. It makes perfect sense.

I'm sure it wasn't a huge deal, but it was annoying, and I can see why.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Obviously, he wanted to go there because he intended to stick to his diet. Therefore, I don't see how a confrontation about it would be helpful.

What is obvious about that? IMO, he likely had no intention of "sticking to his diet". That is where he wanted to eat, so he used his diet to get everyone else to concede to his demand. Once there, he ordered what he knew he was going to order. Again, JMO...

 

[okeydokey]

Obviously, he wanted to go there because he intended to stick to his diet. Therefore, I don't see how a confrontation about it would be helpful.

Because it would be made clear that his need to eat at a certain place and then disregarding that need at his whim would no longer dictate where everyone else could eat.

 

[Veronica Lodge]

Because it would be made clear that his need to eat at a certain place and then disregarding that need at his whim would no longer dictate where everyone else could eat.

Absolutely. If he was going to insisit on eating at certain restaurants specifically b/c of a weight watchers menu, then order something other than a WW entree, I'd ask, even if in a joking manner, why the heck we had to go that place if Bob is going to get the cheeseburger, fries and a sundae anyway. I wouldn't necesarily be trying to start a fight, but I'd still want to know why we had to go wth his choice when he went ahead and ordered crap anyway.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Heck, I had gastric bypass surgery and I can find something to eat on every menu. WW's is no different. Almost every place has a salad with a protein (grilled chicken) or a vegetable type soup, something.
Heck, I can take my child to McDonalds or Burger King at times and still get myself lunch (salad). I never inconvenience anyone. My attitude is that I caused so I'm responsible for the loss - not anyone else.

OP sounds like your family went out of the way for someone and they didn't appreciate it I hope you had a good time anyway.

 

[sbell111]

Then why didnt he????
From what the op said the whole purpose of making a big deal of going to these places was so he could order the diet menu. Why would he make a big deal about going to these places if he didnt order the diet menu?

I would for be ticked off.

I assume that he was asked where he wanted to eat and he gave his opinion and his reason. I guess that if the OP really didn't want to eat at that restaurant, then he/she should have spoke up on the front end.

According to the OP, he was basically inconveniencing the rest of the group....repeatedly....so he could stick to his diet, but then repeatedly eating just a load of junk, and dessert. Why wouldn't anyone have the right to say anything under those circumstances?

If the majority of the group gave up where they wanted to go just for the purpose of allowing this one person to keep to his diet, then he should have tried a little harder to stick to it, or else not dictate where everyone eats. It makes perfect sense.

I'm sure it wasn't a huge deal, but it was annoying, and I can see why.

If it wasn't a big deal, why would anyone need to bring it up to him? I'm sure that the OP freely ordered whatever he/she wanted to from the menu. Why is it a big deal that the dieter did, also.

What is obvious about that? IMO, he likely had no intention of "sticking to his diet". That is where he wanted to eat, so he used his diet to get everyone else to concede to his demand. Once there, he ordered what he knew he was going to order. Again, JMO...

Objection. Assumes facts not in evidence.

Absolutely. If he was going to insisit on eating at certain restaurants specifically b/c of a weight watchers menu, then order something other than a WW entree, I'd ask, even if in a joking manner, why the heck we had to go that place if Bob is going to get the cheeseburger, fries and a sundae anyway. I wouldn't necesarily be trying to start a fight, but I'd still want to know why we had to go wth his choice when he went ahead and ordered crap anyway.

Of course you would be wanting to stir up some drama. Otherwise, you would realize that it wasn't any of your business. He was no more required to share his meal selection process than you were to share yours.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

... Objection. Assumes facts not in evidence...

We both stated opinions. Nothing more or less...