Family (especially parents) judging is very hurtful.

How do you deal with family judging you? I need to lose about 80 lbs. I have been called fat by my parents since I was about 6 years old. My mom tries to feed me whenever I see her but comments on my weight. My dad outright tells me to go work out and that no guy will want me. I am 24 but this still affects me a lot. My siblings have always judged me too. This is a huge mental block for me because I feel like EVERYONE is judging me. I am so used to it from my family that I feel all people do it. My cousins and aunts and uncles do it too. I don't know how to deal with this because it is so emotionally and mentally straining. It makes tracking my calories and working out harder because i feel like a failure when I don't see results as quickly as I want. I also get huge anxiety when going to family functions.
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Replies

  • Badger618
    Badger618 Posts: 65 Member
    Take it one day at a time. Do it for you and not for them , you will see the results you want to see if you stick with it. Feel free to add me as a friend and i would be happy to offer support anytime. If it were easy none of us would be here, you are not alone.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    stop spending so much time with your family?! just concentrate on doing you.
  • kickstartpro
    kickstartpro Posts: 20 Member
    thanks for the support :) i added you.
  • kickstartpro
    kickstartpro Posts: 20 Member
    Thats true tavistock toad. Old habits die hard. I was caring for my sick grandma for years before she died last year and helping raise my younger brothers so i feel a lot of obligation to them.
  • Badger618
    Badger618 Posts: 65 Member
    Thanks for the add, there are lots of good people on here working towards the same goal. Remember one day at a time.
  • SutapaMukherji
    SutapaMukherji Posts: 244 Member
    One day at a time........we can do it.

    Most importantly, do it for yourself - You are beautiful and you need to be the BEST YOU that can be for yourself

    ETA: Apparently I don't know how to put letters in bold :ohwell:
  • JaneyB311
    JaneyB311 Posts: 80 Member
    I spent years and years starting and failing at 'diets' becuase I was only doing it for the wrong reasons....because other people wanted me too. I was am emotional bing eater and trapped in a vicious circle and eating to make myself feel better and then hating myself for the binging and weight gain that came with it. I also felt massively judged by everyone including my family and my husband (although I have to say that my family were never quite as obvious as yours seem to be)....I think a lot of it was my own perception due to low self esteem.

    Eventually I went for therapy. I turned out that i identified that eating was my coping mechanism for stress and I needed to find a new one. With a lot of work I changed things round so that I now use exercise as my coping strategy for stress. If I feel bad I workout or go run and it makes me feel so happy! It's me time, i get everything straight in my head.

    The moral of the story is, you've got to do it for yourself. Find out why you eat bad. Tell your family to back off, tell them that they're just making it worse, that they're destroying your self-esteem and it needs to stop. Tell then you need support not judgement. Tell your Dad to go workout with you!

    Just take things slowly; don't be put off by slow progress. Progress is progress at any speed. You didn't gain the weight overnight and you won't lose it overnight, but if you get your head straight then the journey can be fun.

    I've now lost 48lb in 7 months.....it hasn't been fast but it has been consistent. I'm not half way to my goal and so excited for the next 48lb to be gone! If I can do this then YOU can do this! Just have a little faith in yourself and your confidence will grow as you shrink.

    I am happy to be MFP friends with you if you need support, just send me a request if you'd like that :).
  • JaneyB311
    JaneyB311 Posts: 80 Member
    Oh, I forgot to add......I got the rid of the husband too, as well as the 48 pounds!! :)
  • steve0820
    steve0820 Posts: 510 Member
    You can do it OP!! Like everyone mentioned, 1 day at a time.

    I have found through the years, with my own experience and the experience of others, that a lot of the time, especially family, are not very supportive when it comes to healthy living. You would think it would be the opposite, but sadly, it isn't. They are either, very mean, don't care, judgmental, and even when you achieve results, they are jealous, still bring you down, call you obsessed, etc...

    At the end of the day, it needs to be something for YOU, and only YOU!
  • katew221
    katew221 Posts: 82 Member
    My mum used to do that to me too, tell me I was fat in one breath and then plonk a big plate of food down in front of me the next and get offended if I didn't eat it. How can you when you're feeling sick because of how gross her comment has just made you feel?! These are abusive habits that lead to bad mental cycles and internal monologues within ourselves. Get some help for yourself, so that you can stand up to her and do what you want to do for yourself, because you DESERVE your health and happiness :smile:

    Oh, and when they try and take credit for your weight loss after you have done it, you have the satisfaction of knowing (and saying!) actually, I did this BY MYSELF, you didn't cut those calories, you didn't spend that time in the gym or on the road, I did, so shove off! :laugh:

    Sometimes we have to look after ourselves first, because other people tend to put themselves first sadly.

    Good luck and feel free to add if you want support! :flowerforyou:
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I completely avoid abusive and toxic people, and I severely limit my exposure to negative people. I'm a happier person for it. Good luck OP! Do this for YOU and ignore or avoid negative influences. :flowerforyou:
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Start breaking away by spending more time alone or with other people. Think of ways to start new activities. Those family people are not going to change.
  • lamps1303
    lamps1303 Posts: 432 Member
    Judgement from others is always such an issue for many. I have really supportive friends and family, but even then I am being judged, with my mum sometimes saying "you're too thin", "you don't need to exercise or lose any more weight", "are you sure you're eating enough?". Your relatives obviously care about you and your health but they obviously don't realise their tactics are having a detrimental affect.

    Are you close to your family, particularly your parents? Perhaps have a quiet word with them (or write a letter) to tell them what their words are doing to you mentally and physically. They may not realise how you're feeling. Explain that you're trying to change your lifestyle and lose weight, but it will take time and patience. Explain that they won't see results over night but you are working to meet your goals.

    At the end of the day it's all about you - its YOUR life. Start having confidence in yourself - tell yourself that you're motivated and you're going to do what it takes to achieve your goals. Ignore the negativity in your life and focus on you for a change - you've had to spend a lot of time caring for others so now it's time to care for yourself.

    As someone has already mentioned, there are lots of supportive people on MFP who want to help each other. Feel free to add me :smile:

    Good luck :flowerforyou:
  • daynerz
    daynerz Posts: 227 Member
    Love yourself and do you
    They are all full of insecurities, remember confident people don't put people down or feel the need to point something out

    You have a goal, go for it
    Of course you can reach it, of course you will do it

    I wish all the best for you
  • Left4Good
    Left4Good Posts: 304
    I know how you can feel, it happens to me quite alot. But this is not for your parents this is for you. Try your best to tell them how you feel and talk to them, and if they don't listen talk to your friends. True friends will support you. If you need anything don't hesitate to message me, i am here for you and anyone else that needs help =) good luck :flowerforyou:
  • SingRunTing
    SingRunTing Posts: 2,604 Member
    Here's the tough love approach.

    Get your steel spine out and tell them not to make negative comments about your weight/body. It's disrespectful and you won't put up with it. Tell them that negative comments will end your visit. And then follow through. One negative comment = you pack up your stuff and walk out the door (and apologies or I was just joking, doesn't change the fact that you are leaving). After a few times of doing that, they will know that you are serious and will stop.

    You teach people how to treat you. Stop being a doormat.
  • adopp062715
    adopp062715 Posts: 93 Member
    stop spending so much time with your family?! just concentrate on doing you.

    This. Your family may love you and think what they are saying and doing is helpful but it's not. Stop seeing them so much for awhile and just focus on you. Instead of every week go once a month. If they ask what's up tell them that you are trying to focus on yourself and don't appreciate all the comments about your weight all the time. They will get the hint and hopefully it will stop.
  • turpenoid
    turpenoid Posts: 73
    First off all, that's just bulls**t to say that nobody will want you at your weight. There are so many people out in the world. You will find the right one!!! As other people have said, you need to lose weight for you. :heart: If you're in a place right now where you just need to be more self-accepting, think about what you like about yourself that does not have to do with your weight or appearance. I've found that identifying my qualities about who I am as a person makes me more confident. Positive language about your creativity, your problem solving, your strength, your compassion... It helps to see a level or yourself beyond just your body.

    When you get to a point where you have the motivation, willpower, and energy to move forward with a healthy lifestyle change, try to celebrate smaller milestones. I suggest taking some body measurements like waist and hips to track as well. You could tell yourself that with every 4 pounds you lose, you'll buy yourself a new .mp3 or rent a new movie you'd like to see. 20 pounds, buy a few new clothing items you like. Whatever makes you excited for the process! But don't give up. It can be challenging as hell at times, but think of where you want to be in a month, in a year, or even in a decade! What will make you happy? Do that thing :drinker:

    I'm here if you ever need motivation or just someone to talk to.
  • nsobolik
    nsobolik Posts: 5 Member
    I feel your pain. I have struggled with my weight all my life. Growing up there was never any discussion about healthy diet and exercise. When I was 24, and a month before my wedding, my father had his first heart attack. I say first because I can't even remember how many he has had since then. He has diabetes, cholesterol issues, and on and on. Finally a few years later before my 10 yr high school reunion I went on Weight Watchers, did great and lost the weight. For the 1st time in my life I ate healthy and worked out. I was shocked to find that I could have the body of one of the "skinny girls" I weighed about 5 lbs less than I had most of my life, but all the sudden my family was freaking out that I was too skinny. Granted because I was fit I wore a smaller size then I ever had. So of course I fell off the wagon and gradually gained all that weight back and then some. Hopefully this time I can keep my head straight and realize that I will lose this weight for me and ignore what they think since it seems I will always be too fat or too skinny for them. I just need to learn to be happy with me!!!
  • amandzor
    amandzor Posts: 386 Member
    I've received these sorts of comments, no matter how small they seem, they hurt.

    As I've continued my journey, I realized that their voiced 'concern' was not always offered in malice, but by people 'trying to help'.

    They don't know how to approach someone who has committed to losing weight and changing their lifestyle, often because the person making the comments doesn't understand the journey.

    I'm not defending the hurtful comments, but I try to remember that end of the day, they're just people. With their own faults, insecurities and petty jealousy.

    The best thing you can do is continue on, remembering that this is for YOU. Not them.
  • OhReally42
    OhReally42 Posts: 138 Member
    I know exactly how you feel. Growing up, when I weighed less than I do now, my dad would always comment and tell me that I'm "getting a little bit chubby" or I "haven't being doing a whole lot lately, and need to get out more" and many other, meaner comments when he would drink. I've struggled my whole life with being comfortable in my body. My first step that even got me motivated at all was not caring anymore about what anyone else said, realizing that I'm beautiful either way. The only thing I can do from here is improve for myself, realizing that I'm not losing weight for anyone but myself, because I want to be healthy for myself and my future. No matter what, You're still you, weight doesn't change who you are. How you see yourself changes who you are. Ignore the outside voices from your family and anyone else against you. You can do it as long as you WANT to. Heck If you don't want to lose weight then you don't even have to. Do what you what for yourself.
  • Hey Janey! When I got rid of my ex I lost 200 lbs! 48 pounds is a little man!!
  • crys_aintgivingup
    crys_aintgivingup Posts: 115 Member
    I know how you feel and I sympathise with you. My immediate family has always been supportive, but my relatives can be downright rude about my weight. The first thing they would say to me at a gathering is 'It's time for you to lose weight, don't you think?' or 'Your legs look fat, you need to do something about them', or simply, 'You're fat.'

    I try to tell myself that they mean well (well, some of them obviously don't mean well, aka female cousins who love to gossip and compare this and that). But I do feel the pressure whenever some family gathering's approaching. and to make it worse, those cousins aren't even healthy themselves - they are skinny but only because they purge almost every time they eat.

    The best thing I've found about this is that the anger I have actually motivates me to work harder - when I'm doing particularly tough workouts I have thoughts like 'so you think I can't be fit, huh?' or, 'I'll do this the right way, instead of purging, just to show you'. Not sure if this is a good mentality or not, but it has been pushing me. In any case, I've gradually learned to enjoy exercising a bit more than before.

    Hope that my sharing helps, even in a small way. You can do it!! Let's show 'em!! :)
  • Siannah
    Siannah Posts: 456 Member
    My mam is nearly 65 and still obsessed with dieting. She always, always fails by the way. My dad has been a runner all his life and because he was so sporty, he has always been very judgmental about "fat and lazy" people. So when I was young, whenever I would sit and watch tv, there would always be a snide comment. I reckon the only reason my mother is still obsessed with her weight, is because of him.

    I moved countries 15 years ago, so only see them about twice a year now. Which helps, but may not be practical for you :laugh:

    So in the meantime I did lose the weight, but I never ever told them about it, not a word (this was before we discovered skype). So when they did eventually see me with all the weight gone, they were complimenting me. But I completely ignored their comments, brushed over it and changed the subject. As much as I'm thrilled that the weight has gone, I just couldn't share this with them and I still can't. I just don't want to make it as important as it seems to be for them.

    Not sure what I'm trying to say, I suppose do it for yourself, don't do it for anyone but yourself.
  • cincysweetheart
    cincysweetheart Posts: 892 Member
    My family tends to very judgmental as well…. not necessarily on the weight stuff (since we are ALL overweight), but on other issues I am dealing with. I'm very close to my family and this was hard. I had to learn to distance myself emotionally from them. With my father, it was a physical distance as well. You have to know that what you are doing you are doing for YOU! This is not a competition. It is not a race. It is a lifestyle. This distance doesn't have to be a permanent thing… you can always come back around once you are feeling stronger within yourself. I don't know your situation, but It may help if you just talk to them. Let them know that you would like to lose weight and get healthier and that you are trying to… But that their comments are hurtful, not helpful. Find friends who are supportive. Surround yourself with positive people.

    You can do this! You didn't put the weight on overnight… it's not going to come off overnight. Feel free to add me if I can be a support to you.
  • Sylvitryinghard
    Sylvitryinghard Posts: 549 Member
    urrr yeah never ending story but fck it I am who I am and thats ok :)
  • TwirleySlims
    TwirleySlims Posts: 112
    That really sucks, prove them wrong, but make sure you do what you want to do, Never let them take the credit! If you need support please add me! We are all here for each other :D
  • JasonKnight85
    JasonKnight85 Posts: 67 Member
    Here's the tough love approach.

    Get your steel spine out and tell them not to make negative comments about your weight/body. It's disrespectful and you won't put up with it. Tell them that negative comments will end your visit. And then follow through. One negative comment = you pack up your stuff and walk out the door (and apologies or I was just joking, doesn't change the fact that you are leaving). After a few times of doing that, they will know that you are serious and will stop.

    You teach people how to treat you. Stop being a doormat.

    Cheers. Couldn't have said it better.
  • Sarahrahi
    Sarahrahi Posts: 32 Member
    I know what your going through and honestly feel for u :(
    But I can tell you one thing. By being here and being true to your diet plan you have at least taken control of a situation which is obviously not going to get better by itself. I think while it may hurt and make u feel very lonely to be picked on by family it also gives you the drive to win this weight loss battle just to make them see you are more than just overweight.

    Believe me I know exactly where you are coming from. And trust me when you see those kilos peeling off it will give you the high of your life. And you will not want to stop till you have come to that ideal goal weight of yours. Your weight and the way you look and feel is absolutely in your hand. It is the one thing you have complete control over. The day i came to that realization working out and eating healthy became a mission for me.

    But you must must must remember that losing weight is not a quick fix. It will take weeks even months and quite honestly a complete revamping of your eating habits for life. It took me very very long to lose weight and I am still trying to lose those last 5+ kgs. But I know I will get there. As long as I look good and feel healthy that is my personal battle. Keep realistic goals. Look at horizons of 6 odd months and plan out where you would like to be. If you are consistently working out then despite the plateaus your weight will come off.

    Good luck and I truly pray you succeed :)
  • trb85
    trb85 Posts: 81 Member
    OP, I can relate. I grew up with my parents joking that they didn't need to pay for trash pickup because I would just eat anything leftover from meals. "Don't bother to throw that away; Tonya will eat it." Taunts of "Fatty fatty 2x4, can't fit through the bathroom door" is something I heard in their singsong voices. The thing was: Looking at pictures of me, I wasn't huge. I'm a tall, big framed girl. But I didn't start out super heavy. They were just being ****s. Maybe they thought it was funny and they were just playing. But that crap hurt and sticks with you.

    Remember that you are now an adult. You don't HAVE to spend time with anyone that you don't want to, including family. Also, as an adult, we can't keep using our childhood as an excuse to keep wrecking our adult decisions. Acknowledge that crap happened, but it can't keep being the basis for current adult decisions.

    Therapy is helpful, I'm sure. I just ended up moving 700 miles away and just not talking to family members who stress me out. I go home about once per year and call an average of 7 times per year (birthdays and holidays). Moving and becoming a bit cold hearted has done me wonders. I'm not obligated to them just because we share genetics. I didn't choose to be born in their family. It's not my fault. I have no obligation to keep toxic people in my life.

    Screw them. Nobody is going to look out for and take care of you other than yourself, especially when it comes to mental health and toxic relationships. Do what's best for you.