Unsupportive family members for clean eating

april1lowe · February 2012

I've recently made the switch to clean eating. Not perfectly, but I aim for 80/20 or 90/10. My fiance' wants nothing to do with it HOWEVER supports my decision in feeding our son and myself this way. That is plenty

The rest of my family though, not so much. I come from an obese family (multiple weight loss surgeries!) and I decided to be the one to break the cycle and took charge before I got to that point. So everything is centered around food. EVERYTHING. My mom likes to make me feel like I'm "depriving" my son because I don't want him having sweets or unhealthy foods. Mainly processed foods which is ALL she serves. We go over to their house twice a week for "family time" so they can see us, visit, etc. I have been bringing food for my son and I. Makes no difference to me. I don't mind it. My mom hates it. I get snarky jabs from her and my other family memebers. I know not to let it bother me but sometimes it's tough to feel like they don't support me. Anyone else deal with this? I am in school and am taking aerobics (I needed one extra credit) and my aerobics teacher is wonderful and explained ppl hate ppl who do well. I get that, still don't make it any easier.

godslilgerl · February 2012

trust me i get that all the time and it is so frustrating...once they see your transformation they will start wanting to do it to...you just may be the person that gets them all healthy...at least ur fiance is supportive...lean on that

pretty soon they'll stop pestering you when they see it doesn't make u change

april1lowe · February 2012

That's the thing, I've dropped 42 lbs on my own. My sister (I'm adopted) just had gastric bypass in May and dropped 180 lbs, but she STILL don't eat right or work out. My mom is just so surrounded by the fact food is for rewards, love, emotions etc. that she can't grasp the concept of it being nutrition only. It helps to surround myself with people who get what I'm saying though. Thanks for responding

Sidesteal · February 2012

I think it's great that you are taking initiative and making healthy choices.

I also think it's great that you're trying to provide your child with healthy, nutritious food.

For your child's sake, I hope you are not completely robbing him of all sweets/processed foods. If so, I agree with your mother.

onewithwings · February 2012

I have the very same problem. I often make up excuses not to see my family because of it.

My sister is scheduled for bariatric surgery. My parents and my sister are diabetic. They all sit in front of the television and eat.

My mother was a size 6-8 all my life. Very beautiful (She was a runner up beauty queen for her state in the day), very fit, very active. She was a perfectionist house keeper (can wee say "Mommy Dearest"?). Now she sits on the couch all day eating and drinking Pepsi. I don't want to be those people.

When I am there and I go out for a run, I get remarks like "You should be spending more time with your kids instead of yourself", etc. I also get ridiculed when we have family meals, "Can't you just eat 'normal' for a day"?

My doctor is very supportive of my lifestyle and very encouraging. I just look to positive influences and try not to dwell on the negatives.

april1lowe · February 2012

I think it's great that you are taking initiative and making healthy choices.

I also think it's great that you're trying to provide your child with healthy, nutritious food.

For your child's sake, I hope you are not completely robbing him of all sweets/processed foods. If so, I agree with your mother.

Oh no, my son gets SOME treats. I just don't think he needs daily, or even weekly sweets. An occasional piece of cake or cookie is fine but my parents want to feed him sweets the two times a week we are over there. I think it's too much.

april1lowe · February 2012

I have the very same problem. I often make up excuses not to see my family because of it.

My sister is scheduled for bariatric surgery. My parents and my sister are diabetic. They all sit in front of the television and eat.

My mother was a size 6-8 all my life. Very beautiful (She was a runner up beauty queen for her state in the day), very fit, very active. She was a perfectionist house keeper (can wee say "Mommy Dearest"?). Now she sits on the couch all day eating and drinking Pepsi. I don't want to be those people.

When I am there and I go out for a run, I get remarks like "You should be spending more time with your kids instead of yourself", etc. I also get ridiculed when we have family meals, "Can't you just eat 'normal' for a day"?

My doctor is very supportive of my lifestyle and very encouraging. I just look to positive influences and try not to dwell on the negatives.

OMG my family is the same way. I am adopted but my mom has had 2 weightloss surgeries, going for number 3 and her (only) biological daughter just had one in May. It's crazy! And I've attended thier dr appts, they all say, low fat, low cal diets and neither of them do it! My sister has lost a lot and is only a size bigger then me (I'm a 10, she's a 12 now) but she doesn't eat well nor does she exercise so I worry if she will stay thin. I just have a hard time taking advice from my mom who has had so many weightloss surgeries and is still obese and raised a child who had to have weight loss surgery. Not to be mean bc I love them but, clearly nutrition isn't their thing...

SilverStrychnine · February 2012

"Can't you just eat 'normal' for a day"?

That line always makes me shake my head. Clean eating IS the normal. Processed and man made foods are abnormal.

SergeantSunshine_reused · February 2012

I think it's great that you are taking initiative and making healthy choices.

I also think it's great that you're trying to provide your child with healthy, nutritious food.

For your child's sake, I hope you are not completely robbing him of all sweets/processed foods. If so, I agree with your mother.

I couldn't agree more. Not even a weekly sweet treat?

april1lowe · February 2012

"Can't you just eat 'normal' for a day"?

That line always makes me shake my head. Clean eating IS the normal. Processed and man made foods are abnormal.

AMEN!!! Exactly what I try to make people understand!

april1lowe · February 2012

I think it's great that you are taking initiative and making healthy choices.

I also think it's great that you're trying to provide your child with healthy, nutritious food.

For your child's sake, I hope you are not completely robbing him of all sweets/processed foods. If so, I agree with your mother.

I couldn't agree more. Not even a weekly sweet treat?

My son is 2 and was living off of Happy Meals and was eating nothing BUT processed sweets. He would only eat chicken nuggets and french fries from fast food. He's 2. He was on a dangerous path. For now, he is very limited. He is now ASKING for carrots and loves raw nuts. A huge step in the right direction. Don't get me wrong, my son will know the wonderful world of sweets, I just think it's a little extreme the way he was eating and I was concerned for his health. They're called treats for a reason, when it's a regular thing, then it's just a part of your diet. I don't want that for him.

AntWrig · February 2012

"Can't you just eat 'normal' for a day"?

That line always makes me shake my head. Clean eating IS the normal. Processed and man made foods are abnormal.

How interesting, considering the term "clean" has evolved over years. Most in line with the latest diet fads. For example, clean eating in the 50s was higher fat, moderate protein, lower carbs. In the 80s it was High carb, low fats, protein. Now, some people are finally getting smart. The term clean is a marketing ploy at best. Moderation is the key.

Read:
http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/the-dirt-on-clean-eating/

Unsupportive family members for clean eating

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