Battling Negative Influences

lovelymusiclady

Hi all!

In all honesty, I've battled with weight loss my entire life. As a child I developed the bad habit of turning to food for comfort, and it's been a struggle ever since. There are periods of my life when I manage my weight well, and times when I don't.

I've noticed that staying healthy and feeling good about myself is particularly challenging when interacting with critical people in my life. Unfortunately these people happen to be family members who I have to interact with on a regular basis. I notice myself slipping back into bad habits when confronted with their (un-welcomed) criticism about my appearance and body.

Anybody with a similar problem have any advice?

Thanks!

HippySkoppy

Is there any way of limiting the time spent with these critical individuals....I realise they are Family but, your health both physical and mental is just as important and if spending time with them always turns out badly for you maybe it's time to reconsider the contact.

By overeating you are continuing to internalize someone's negativity and taking THEIR issues and problems onto your shoulders....difficult not to continue this pattern particularly one that has been set in place in childhood but for your own sake you need to take back some control.

You recognise this is a negative pattern....Have you ever sought counselling for past trauma??? If not maybe it's time you confronted these issues head-on...get it ALL out in the open with someone you trust. Realise where their issues begin/end and yours begin/end. Empowering yourself and getting help is liberating....difficult but the other road is paved with just more and more hardship that never is resolved. Don't let others have the power over your happiness and well-being.

All the best.

lovelymusiclady

Thanks so much! Lot's of truth here. I'll definitely be working on this.

fiddletime

I limit contact with negative family members. I also go into it giving myself a pep talk basically saying that I don't care what they think and when they go for the jugular that's there problem. It doesn't mean I get to use it as an excuse to derail. We have to live our one life for ourselves.

PinkPixiexox

Hey Lovelymusiclady, I have a simliar issue and I too have struggled with weight issues my whole life. I've always been on the 'bigger' side until cruel comments spurred me to lose weight. I'm now at a healthy rate but the people in my life who I am closest to are far from healthy weights. I am constantly nagged to 'EAT FOR GODS SAKE' and it can be tough to remain on form when I am around bad eating habits. Sounds harsh but I don't mean it, I just understand how difficult it can be! I guess we just have to keep strong and dig deep!

lovelymusiclady

Great advice, thanks everyone!