Point/Counterpoint

A few weeks ago I asked the Pray it Off Small Groups to address the statement,
"It's too hard for me to stick to a healthy eating plan because of..." in a Point/Counterpoint style (reminiscent of the old 60 Minutes segment with the same name.)

Here is what they came up with:

IT'S TOO HARD FOR ME TO STICK TO A HEALTHY EATING PLAN BECAUSE OF:

POINT

1. Parties with LOTS of FOOD.
2. Lack of meal planning.
3. Ads for food that are everywhere - magazines, TV, newspapers.

COUNTERPOINT

1. Watch what you eat at parties and limit your portion size.
2. Set aside time each week to plan the meals for the next 5-7 days.
3. Say "Hail Mary's" to avoid the Ads and collect and make Healthy Recipes.

IT'S TOO HARD FOR ME TO STICK TO A HEALTHY EATING PLAN BECAUSE OF:

POINT

1. Lifestyle.
2. Money.
3. Family.

COUNTERPOINT

1. Planning is a must to executive permanent lifestyle changes.
2. Use coupons. Freeze items. Watch sale items. Stop eating out.
3. Ask your family for help; get them involved in a healthy life.

IT'S TOO HARD FOR ME TO STICK TO A HEALTHY EATING PLAN BECAUSE OF:

POINT

1. Laziness.
2. Stinkin' Thinkin'.

COUNTERPOINT

1. Prepare foods you enjoy that are healthy and don't take forever to make.
2. If you give in to your stinkin' thinkin', compensate with more exercize.

IT'S TOO HARD FOR ME TO STICK TO A HEALTHY EATING PLAN BECAUSE OF:

POINT

1. No willpower.
2. Junk food is cheap.
3. Healthy foods require prep time.

COUNTERPOINT

1. Pray for willpower.
2. Prepare meals ahead of time.
3. Cook in quantity, like on a Sunday, for the week.

IT'S TOO HARD FOR ME TO STICK TO A HEALTHY EATING PLAN BECAUSE OF:

POINT

1. Food looks SO GOOD.
2. Lazy, Tired, Bad Habits.
3. Not committed. Take the easy way out.

COUNTERPOINT

1. Don't have trigger foods in the house.
2. Plan ahead and have healthy foods in the house.
3. Be Happy. Smile. Come to the meetings and look at others success and awards.

IT'S TOO HARD FOR ME TO STICK TO A HEALTHY EATING PLAN BECAUSE OF:

POINT

1. I have to cook for my family.
2. Eating out. Vacationing.
3. Busy schedule.

COUNTERPOINT

1. The whole family can enjoy healthy meals. Portion control.
2. Fill up before you go to a party. Drink water before you go. Have more healthy choices than unhealthy ones.
3. Make time for yourself. 15 minutes to exercise.

IT'S TOO HARD FOR ME TO STICK TO A HEALTHY EATING PLAN BECAUSE OF:

POINT

1. My schedule. Long work hours. No time for lunch. Not enough time to prepare leaner foods.
2. Summer activities i.e. Parties, BBQ's, Graduations, Weddings.
3. Temptation to snack. Too much ice cream in the house.

COUNTERPOINT

1. Plan Ahead. Bring healthy bag lunch. Cut up veggies and put in baggies for the week. Make sugar free jello's in small cups with lids.
2. Bring your own healthy foods to the parties. Portion control.
3. Pray for strength. Become too busy to snack. Buy low fat ice cream, sherbert etc. Keep trigger foods out of the house.

IT'S TOO HARD FOR ME TO STICK TO A HEALTHY EATING PLAN BECAUSE OF:

POINT

1. My family doesn't like fruits and veggies. There is too much junk food in the house.
2. Tons of junk food is brought to work; donuts, candy, cookies etc.
3. Too many events, parties, opportunites to go out to eat.

COUNTERPOINT

1. Have a cupboard for the rest of the family that has "their junk food" and you are forbidden to go into it. Buy healthy foods that they DO like.
2. Bring in healthy alternatives.
3. Tell people you are on a weight loss journey and they will hold you accoutable (and believe me THEY will be more than HAPPY TO. HA HA)

IT'S TOO HARD FOR ME TO STICK TO A HEALTHY EATING PLANE BECAUSE OF:

POINT

1. Stress.
2. Boredom.
3. Poor planning. Not planning ahead.

COUNTERPOINT

1. Prayer. Taking time for yourself.
2. Do something (anything). Make yourself useful. Make a conscious effort.
3. Make meals on the weekend for the coming week. Keep healthy snacks at home in case you can't get a meal together. Get the family involved in meal preparation.

Photo: www.pain.com