As a long-term singleton if there’s something I’m not good at, it’s compromise.
I haven’t really needed to be in all honesty, though I may have had less sleepless nights as a result of seething anger and resentment if I’d been better at it.
Obviously I’ve not had MY way on many an occasion but usually I yield quickly (as a people-pleaser), not wanting to strain relationships or cause problems, rather than actually being involved in any negotiated position.
However, on a very small scale, I find I’m being confronted with decisions on a very regular basis at the moment which require some compromise.
On Weight Watchers you receive a certain allowance of ProPoints to consume in a day. There are some bonus Points etc but essentially it’s about living within your means.
Planning is all important – something I did badly on Sunday when I dined out with relatives.
Dining out isn’t a problem and indeed I’ve had a couple of meals out since starting Weight Watchers, but… because I’m coeliac I need to be a bit more organised than most.
Sunday, I’d decided on a marinated chicken breast with rice… but on arrival was told it wasn’t gluten-free. Because I wasn’t sure what else to have I fell-back on my old favourite, steak and chips. (Which was delicious but high in ProPoints and meant a low Points dinner!)
Generally I’ll suss out the menu beforehand and budget for Points – just as you do at home when planning your daily meals. You don’t want to get to dinner time and discover you’ve NO Points left or too many Points left.
So the art of compromise is something with which I’m becoming increasingly familiar, along with a heaps of new recipes: two side benefits from the program!
I’m a carbs freak and LOVE potatoes for example and really appreciate that you’re not discouraged from eating carbohydrates on Weight Watchers.
I like to think of myself as being quite thrifty so like to get as much bang for my buck as possible. Rice – I found – is quite high in points for the amount you get… essentially 1/2 cup of cooked rice is a serving. However, for the same number of points I could actually have 250g potato which – in my book – is WAY better value.
Last night for example I’d marinated a chicken breast in greek yoghurt, curry powder and coriander and the recipe called for it to be served on a bed of rice (with grated carrot, capsicum etc). However… I wanted to reduce my points a bit to allow for some wine – SO I switched to a small serving of potato which I grated with the carrot and capsicum and made into a fritter of sorts!
And for lunch at work today I’m having some low point bacon and egg quiches so I can feast on some delicious rib fillet and baked potato for dinner.
So, I’m slowly learning that one cannot always have whatever they want all of the time. Sometimes (sadly) a bit of compromise is called for!
Are you a good at compromise? (In general?)
What about when it comes to food?
Disclaimer: I have been given a free six month online membership to Weight Watchers but my thoughts, opinions and words here are my own. Please check out the program for yourself before making any decisions.
I’m linking up with Essentially Jess and her IBOTers today.
January 14, 2014
Last night’s dinner sounds delish!
I, myself, personally am okay at compromise generally, however, not when it comes to food (except in portion size). I’d rather have a little of things I adore, rather than a lot of things I am supposed to have. I’m a big fan of the French approach – butter, brie, wine, croissants – but not too much. 🙂
January 14, 2014
I think I’m naturally the opposite Lee-Anne. I tend to have the same things all of the time and LOTS of them!!!
January 14, 2014
me too….. I struggle with Portion Sizes particularly with my carbs I am such a potato girl too….you go girl sounds like you are killing it xx
January 14, 2014
Thanks Rach! I’m pretty sure I’ve written entire blog posts about my love of potatoes! 😉
January 14, 2014
I’ve been thinking about joining weight watchers recently, but gosh it all sounds so hard. Measuring food, and counting points etc. I exercise a lot but I also make up for all that exercise in eating bad food. I’m fairly good at compromise in general I think, but when it comes to food I’m very lazy and will just eat whatever is easiest! This needs to change. It must be really hard being coeliac but hopefully it is getting easier as people become more knowledgable about it? -Aroha (for #teamIBOT)
January 14, 2014
Hi Aroha – WW isn’t particularly hard. I find the ‘having to measure’ stuff is quite handy. Cos of my eating disorder history I’m really bad with quantities. I find I can’t judge amounts at all! So my meal sizes have been cut back quite a lot.
I’m also all for the easiest option but am enjoying trying new recipes. I balk at anything that sounds too complicated (separating eggs for eg) and am not even very organised when it comes to having to marinate stuff ahead of time… Mostly I adapt recipes into Deborah-speak (ie. leave out half the ingredients to simplify!).
January 14, 2014
Hi Deb!
Just dropped in to say Hi 🙂
I haven’t been reading many blogs lately but just had a big catch up on all your recent posts. Also saw that you’ve stopped Diet Schmiet. I can understand why. Apart from all the reasons you mentioned, finding the time to maintain two blogs must have been hard!
Shall be a better commenter in 2014!
January 14, 2014
Hi Neen and thanks for visiting. Yes indeed – maintaining the two was difficult and it feels good to write about whatever is on my mind rather than HAVING to keep a lot of stuff about healthy living (or not!).
January 14, 2014
I’m sure potato would have more nutrients than rice as well as taste better. My friend at work swears by Weight Watchers because of the compromise factor. I’d end up swapping everything for wine 🙂
January 14, 2014
Yes, I did make that mistake in my first week – had a red wine blowout – although I just used my bonus points to do it.
And… I’m a potato freak so I’d always vote for a spud rather than rice, bread or pasta!!! 😉
January 14, 2014
part of the struggle is about making grown up compromises….sigh…
January 14, 2014
Yes, I HATE this being-a-grown-up business!
January 15, 2014
It’s so good that the plan is very flexible. You don’t have to feel like you’re sacrificing everything even if you do have to do a bit of juggling to get what you want.
January 15, 2014
Yes. My mother’s 70th is coming up and I’ll have lunches out for the next few weeks so I’m gonna need to plan ahead and do some juggling!
January 15, 2014
All those meals you have mentioned actually sound really really tastey. Some of the weight watchers meqls my mum makes are really good and you’d never guess were part of a diet.
January 15, 2014
No, I guess that’s the thing Jess – not seeing it as a diet. I’m less inventive when I’m not doing WW – I’d just have the same things all of the time and lots more of them (potato etc). On WW I’m mixing it up a bit to try different things and sticking to smaller portions – though still have basically have anything (as long as I budget for it!).
January 15, 2014
When I did WW I used to eat LOADS of veggies etc if I wanted to eat some Pizza Capers for tea, they have one that is only a few points per slice, it was my weekly treat. I can SO compromise on food if it means I can cheat every now and then and eat scrummy food when dieting x
January 15, 2014
Yes, I’m getting better at it, but there’s still room for improvement!
January 17, 2014
Grown up compromises is a great concept! I don’t know if I’m good at compromises in general – it probably depends on the domain of interest….
January 18, 2014
Oh yes… true!