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Food Enablers

Lisa Eirene

About Lisa Eirene Lisa lost 110 pounds through calorie counting and exercise. She swims, bikes, runs, hikes and is enjoying life in Portland, Oregon. Her weight loss story has been featured in First Magazine, Yahoo Health, Woman's Day and Glamour.com.

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12 Comments

  1. Robyn

    wow this is so so true in my life, I have had a lot of roommates over the years who are food enablers, some with the same body issues as me and some without. I also have health enabler friends, if that’s a thing, friends who make good choices when we go out and it encourages me to do the same, or who ask me to go walking with them. My bf was a food enabler for a while, we both fed off of each other and had a hard time resisting temptation when together, but recently we’ve committed together to a healthier lifestyle and are trying to be more healthy enablers now rather than suggesting pizza or ice cream we suggest salad and fruit 🙂

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I’m glad you could relate to this post. I think most people have SOMEONE in their life that either helps or hinders. And yes, I definitely think there are “health enabler friends”. I try to be that friend–make healthier suggestions, bring healthy foods to parties, etc.

      I laughed at your comment about your boyfriend and you feeding off each other. I am definitely guilty of that with my boyfriend sometimes. He suggests pizza for dinner and it’s hard to resist! Glad you two are making a commitment together to be healthy. Support makes such a difference.

  2. Jill @ a Girl in Progress

    I think food enabling is what got me overweight in the first place! I was raised very conservatively with food. We NEVER ate out as a family growing up. When I went to college, I didn’t eat out much. Then my friends started influencing me and I started eating out way too much. Of course, I could always have chosen not to follow along, but that is hard to do! I eventually realized I needed to work my way out of those negative habits I had picked up from others and find a healthy, happy medium for myself. My hubby, unfortunately, loves to eat out and likes to eat the most unhealthy of foods. I fight against that all the time!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Interesting! It’s almost like it was peer pressure for you. Was there a reason your family didn’t eat out? We ate out as a family like once a week? Either breakfast out on the weekend or dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

  3. Marc

    I have probably been an enabler myself in the past.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I didn’t even think about that aspect. I’m sure I’ve been an enabler myself as well. I need to chew on that idea…

  4. Trevor

    Excellent post Lisa. When trying to lose weight, at least if you’re serious about it, you need to find a way to limit the influence of those food enablers. It doesn’t necessarily mean dropping them from your lives, just setting the right boundaries and finding ways to still enjoy their company without giving in to that old enabling pattern. It can be tough, but it’s vital for long term success.

    Cheers!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Boundaries are definitely hard…especially when everyone around you is having FUN. One of the hardest parts of weight loss is realizing that your metabolism, your body, etc is different from everyone else’s. They might be able to eat whatever they want without a care in the world, but that’s not my reality.

  5. Carl

    I can relate to this. When left on my own I eat well. But every time friends or family come into town, I over eat because I am with others who overeat. Last week a had two friends in town from out of country and we ate at the same dive bar (with incredible cheap food) seemingly every night. Luckily it did not do too much damage since I have really boosted my metabolism with workouts recently, so amazingly I did not gain any weight, even the one night where I ate over 2 pound of ice cream…But did not press my luck and went back to eating normal after they left.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Glad you didn’t see the damage on the scale! I think splurging once in awhile is ok. For example, my boyfriend’s dad is visiting soon from Texas and we’ll all go out to dinner every night. I try and make good choices, but I do splurge a little. Thankfully I don’t see too much of a gain because I keep my gym routine intact!

      Thanks for your comment Carl.

  6. Beth WA

    I LOVE the Stern Show, too!!
    Also, I know what you mean about enablers and then I read Marc’s comment, and thought to myself, that I am definitely an enabler to others at times. Interesting blog entry! Food for thought.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Woohoo! Fellow Stern fan! 😀

      I hadn’t thought of myself being an enabler but I bet I have been many many times!

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