Costco is a BEAST! Not only because it carries amazing things, but well, because it DOES carry amazing things. Costco is a weakness for me because everything looks so good and you can really find some amazingly healthy items that really DO taste yummy. But Costco has a way of being sneaky and leading you astray when you are trying to make lifestyle changes...and in your past, you'd go to Costco for all the samples and call it lunch. Hmm? Yeah, I see you!
Phew! I'm not the only one!
Since trying these tactics, I've been able to conquer Costco twice now! Here's what I left with today:
No temptations that I gave in to. That's the key here, there will ALWAYS be temptations at Costco. Frankly, there will be temptations EVERYWHERE! But, I have succeeded in NOT giving in and feeling so successful handing my receipt to the lady or gentleman at the exit, who checks to make sure I didn't steal anything.
MY 5 WAYS TO CONQUER COSTCO
(or any grocery store for that matter...)
- DO NOT GO TO COSTCO HUNGRY
Everything looks good and everything looks like something I would totally use. Let's face it...there are 3.5 people living in my house. Is a WHOLE HUMUNGO BLOCK of Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese going to be something that my family will actually use? (Refer to my #4 rule...) When you are hungry, your brain reverts to old habits because IT NEEDS TO FEED THE BODY. And the body starts getting super weird cravings. If you are going to be out for quite a while, pack something plan friendly to eat BEFORE you go into Costco. Why before? you ask ,Why not during my shopping trip?
If you are eating something during your shopping trip, it's usually a mindless thing and you end up being hungrier than you really are. You eat your bar or cut up veggies faster than normal, because you're pushing a cart or trying to man your kids, and you just end up wanting more food. Having eaten that meal BEFOREHAND and not more than, like, 20 minutes before, you can have that rope to cling to. I can tell myself, "Camille, you are NOT hungry. You just ate 20 minutes ago...it's just influential hunger. You can do this." And you will be able to say this too...if you don't already.
So my friends, DON'T GO HUNGRY. You'll be much stronger to resist temptation and much more level headed when it comes to your grocery shopping.
2. DO NOT GO TO COSTCO CLOSE TO MEALTIME (LUNCH OR DINNER...unless you've planned for it)
Costco is a bulk foods carrier, and when they have new items to sell...it's sample time. Around lunchtime, they roll things out anytime between 12pm-2pm. I got there today around 12:30pm and they started dishing out the hot samples. When you start seeing those samples, and your brain knows that the old body would be eating lunchtime around now, so it signals hunger. EVEN IF YOU ATE 20 MINUTES AGO! "Lunch time" is just a phrase...but it's also a mentality that I'm personally trying to break. I want my son to be on the same schedule too, so I'm working to say, "would you like something to eat?" Of course, "let's go have some lunch" happens often, but we are working on a 5-6 meal mentality in this home. When I've had my meal before getting to Costco, the signal still comes, but I'm better to resist and remember that each bite has got to be worth SOMETHING. The question is, is the food item worth spending calories on, or can you wait a little longer to have a more satisfying meal at home? I will say that the samples are really helpful when you are shopping with a little one or ones, but it's also a great opportunity to teach your little ones good choices.
Okay, I'm not perfect, but I am trying to be consistent. Little Man DID have a sample of an apple tart, and when he asked for more...I did look around to try and find something more substantial. Enter the one thing I DID try. I DID have a BITE of these really yummy veggie burgers they were sampling, and I'll throw those out there on the blog when I eat one. I gave one sample to my son and he LOVED them, so I went back and grabbed a sample for myself to try...and then gave him the rest. They WERE yummy, and so I bought them...but not without scanning it with my barcode scanner first (see tactic #4)
3. DO NOT WANDER AROUND THE AREAS THAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES
I'm just going to tell you right now, I don't even look at the bakery. I just don't. But...today I did. I was reflecting on a tactic a member uses because she LOVES those dang muffins. She purchases her muffins and then cuts them up and portions them out, and freezes them for future use. BRILLIANT IDEA! And she admits that she has the self control to only grab one bag. I don't. I just don't. I'd much rather eat a whole dang muffin on my reset day and have it be gone. But Costco doesn't do that...At Costco you have to buy a WHOLE DOZEN. Knowing this, I still stared at them..reminiscing on the last time I ate a blueberry muffin...and a poppyseed...and a chocolate chunk piece of bakery heaven. It's been a while, okay? I then started asking myself my 3 questions (tactic #5) and I was able to resist.
You know what your weaknesses are, and don't go searching for them. When I have time to spare, I also don't wander around the nut and granola bar isle. Costco always has some pretty cool things that I had never even HEARD about. I will usually get tempted, purchase them, and then no one ever eats them. If there is something you want to TRY, find a smaller box at another grocery store or find a friend who is willing to split the cost and product with you.
4. GO WITH A SHOPPING LIST (and your WW app with the Barcode Scanner if you have access)
Best thing you could EVER do for yourself. Throughout the week, I write down things that my family is needing. As I've written those things down throughout the week, I'll then transfer everything onto a paper shopping list. As I'm writing, I'm putting groups together. It's like my own Costco map. I know exactly where everything is, and I know exactly what aisle comes next. So, I write down things that are either in the same aisle or section and then whatever food group/section comes next. And the beautiful thing is, the day that I'm doing the shopping, I can decide, BEFORE I write things down, if I REALLY need that item, or if it can wait. Cross off as you go, and come to the checkout line with a successful cart. It truly is the most empowering feeling a foodie can have when you go to check out and you really have in your cart ONLY what you wrote down on your grocery list. It's awesome.
If you happen to wander off your list...
My WW friends...Barcode Scanner, anyone? Have you found yourself creepin' on other people at the store if they have their phone out and a food item in their hand? I don't ever get close but I always want to be like, "HOLLA ATCHA! WW? Right on! How many points is that??" When you are at Costco and something looks yummy (#5) get out your barcode scanner. A few weeks ago I had seen a Smore's Bread Loaf by Franz Bread company that looked delicious. I LOVE Smore's, and I resisted buying it the first time I saw it. I told my husband about it and he asked me why I didn't get it! He then proceeded to tell me that next time I'm at Costco I should definitely get some. I'm passing the loaves of bread, and what conversation pops into my head?? Yep, that one. So, Costco is on it's last leg of these Smore's Loaves (that's ANOTHER thing that's hard for me...you find something you love and then they don't carry it anymore! So THAT temptation arose: If I don't get it now, then I won't ever be able to EVER because they won't carry it anymore!) and I grab one. BUT, out of curiosity and to SEE if it was worth the purchase...I used the Barcode Scanner feature of the WW app. Wanna know how many smartpoints for just 1 PIECE of that baby? 7 SMARTPOINTS!! That's a WHOLE MEAL and THEN SOME! It didn't come up right in the system, but other people had scanned that baby and entered it in. I chuckled to myself as I found someone had said a slice was only 2 smartpoints...haha, who are you KIDDING?! I went with the other 5 members who said the slice of bread was 7 smartpoints, and promptly put the loaf back and told my husband, in my head, that I loved him...but it just wasn't worth it. Saved myself some money and avoided a temptation in my home. Victory.
For those of you not on WW, you can still go through the process of looking at the nutritional value. Look at the calories, the saturated fat, and the sugar. If you are comfortable with the numbers, then go ahead and make the purchase. Just make sure you are making the purchase with a sound mind and not one that's following the Craving Monster's orders.
5. ASK YOURSELF 3 QUESTIONS IF A TEMPTATION FINDS ITS WAY TO YOU:
- Will I want this tomorrow?
- Will this fit into my lifestyle plan/change?
- Will I be the only one eating this?
I'm sure Costco employees are getting used to the fact that people stand and stare at food for a while, fully aware that those people are either talking themselves INTO or OUT OF a food purchase.
If I worked at Costco, and worked the floor, I'd probably be taking bets...and winning.
Why? Because, I've been there. I'm still there, but I'm doing MUCH better. I'm MUCH more empowered and feel SO MUCH BETTER ABOUT MYSELF when I can come home and chop up bags of veggies for meals that I can enjoy and will eat later that day, and everyday throughout the week. See? Celery?? Bought a huge bag of that stuff, cut the ribs in half and put them in snack size bags for easy access. There's my pre-portioned bag of baby carrots that I'm munching on as I prep! Look at all that green?! I've done all the work and put them in bags...and I won't have ANYTHING to think about if I'm in a quick pinch and needing veggies.
Happy Shopping!
Camille
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