Does your family know you’re “dieting”?

The first time I did this (pre-injury) and got to my desired weight several of my family members were not supportive, and even some of my friends. However, I was working out and eating right and going to my doctor. Those who said things were usually overweight and would say things like, “why aren’t you eating?” And once my grandmother asked me why I didn’t go back for seconds after overfilling my plate for thanksgiving. It only got worse when I developed vertigo as a side effect of a serious sinus infection that went undiagnosed. Many in my family said it was a result of my “not eating enough” and that I was being unhealthy, except for the ones who I spent time with—those who also hiked, biked, swam, and stayed active like my husband and I.

The point I’m trying to make is, there are always going to be people who say you don’t need to lose weight, and then tell you that you’re too skinny when you reach the weight that your doctor tells you that you need to be at. It’s easier said than done, and maybe it was easy for me because a lot of those ppl in my family are not supportive in other ways as well. Whenever I choose to live a healthy life, though, I find I lose some people who do not support me and also make some new friends.

One last thing I have to say is this: if you and/or your husband really and truly care about what these people say/think, you can always just say (to yourself) that you will eat one unhealthy thing with every meal. If you are still exercising while you are there, you may also not feel as guilty about that. But food is for sustenance and it is there to help us live happy lives; food is not a substitute for happiness and we should not eat it to make others happy.

Eh, I really don't share unless someone asks & just adapt to whatever is going on. If we eat out, I just order salad or a grilled meat with veggies. If a homemade meal is unhealthy, I just eat a little bit of it & try to load up on whatever is the healthiest food available is (example: A large side of veggies). I really don't restrict too much on WHAT I eat.... it's all about portion size at that point! If someone notices, I just tell them I'm focusing on making healthy choices No one argues with that answer! It's hard to argue with "just trying to be healthy" lol

dechowj wrote: »

This sounds just like my in-laws. My mother in law would show us how much she loved us by overloading us with "our favorites" when we came over. And would get offended if we didn't eat it all because then we didn't love her back. It took us a long time to slowly work on changing the habits.

My husband and I would start going overboard and praising the healthier items she made. So now she's marked the healthier dish as a favorite and makes it to make us happy. Also before each visit my husband will call a few times and say over and over "don't worry about the pizza or bagels, we are fine without that. What we would really love to do is make you guys these yummy omelets we've come to love." We made it about a positive we want to share the food we love kind of thing instead of a negative we don't eat that junk thing. But the food talk really did go over better coming from my husband. When it was me she wouldn't listen as well, haha.

I would also stop and get a fruit platter or veggie platter to bring over to have available for snacks. (I bring something everywhere because I feel bad showing up empty handed, I'm weird I know.) But after 3 times of bringing a fruit platter, now she buys one knowing we want that.

When we first started nothing really changed. So I would just take tiny portions for each item. I would share a bagel with my husband and only take one slice of pizza. I would even ask (if pressed to eat more) if I could take the bagels to go to freeze for later back home. This is actually how I discovered a yummy breakfast casserole we like: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a57263/everything-bagel-casserole-recipe/

That is brilliant!!