Family being enables

unless your family is going to change their eating habits along with you, this will be a hurdle for you. just because the food is there (and oh so tempting!), doesn't mean you have to eat it! you're making this lifestyle change to be a healthier YOU, and you can absolutely do that. keep that in mind as you pass up the temptations.

I'm not saying it'll be easy! I live in a house with two junk food eaters... I do feel your pain! but if I don't eat it, they aren't enabling me. I'm stronger than that, and so are you

you're off to a great start

I know how you feel! My family does that to me all the time! My other is on the heavier side, but my father is a lifeguard and my brother is all-state track star... so they don't really have weight to lose... AT ALL... And everytime I tell them I'm gonna go on a diet, they decide to go out to some awesome restaurant or buffet... It drives me nuts... I find though, that I just gotta do my own thing and ignore them. After a while, they realized that I was really trying, so they're better now.. But every so often, they like to go a tempt me... So I say, just show them that your serious, and really committed to them.. Then hopefully they'll realize how important this is for you and support you in a better way!(:

My husband has been that way for a while he eats Ice cream sandwiches, candy bars and never gains weight. But I had to decide that I was not going to let that stop my progress. He has finally stopped eating those around me and my daughter just so he does not tempt us. It is a work in progress once your family realizes that you are serious about it they will get with the program, but if they don't you have to remember that this change is for you!!

My family eats horribly. But I finally stopped making excuesses for the reasons I kept failing, accepted that I am not on a 'diet' and ignore the snide, "YOUR OBESSED!" remarkes. You can do it, I have faith in you. You just gotta have faith in youself and know its never over, even when you hit that magic goal number or jean size. Being healthy is a lifelong thing, it never ends. I know you got this! You eat what is going to make your body feel good to get out there and work out, and whats going to make you feel good about you!

I totally feel your pain. This is the hardest hurdle to over come... take one moment at a time, plan your foods a head of time... you can do this!

What role does food play in your home? Is it part of a social environment -- sharing tales, laughter, angst while eating? Is it a focus of pleasure -- enjoying eating and the taste of food as an activity, like other people might play sports or games, or read? The more you can identify how all that food (and the type of food) fits into the family structure, the more you'll be able to recognize that and resist. (Not that it'll be easy.)

I grew up in a skinny family where my dad was very busy, and my mother was primarily the homemaker. They were kind but not very demonstrative people, so Mom showed love in part through baking (and because we didn't have much money to buy Things, nor was that part of our value system). We always had fresh baked cookies or some sweet around the house. Now years later, I struggle with losing weight gained during three pregnancies, and my family knows this. Yet every time we visit my parents (they live about an hour away), or they come to our home, my mother ALWAYS brings cookies or candy or something "for the kids." She knows we try to limit their sweets, and we've talked about how I don't want that stuff in my house. But I think she feels that they *enjoy* it so much, that it shows her love. (Though she is far more demonstrative with the kids than with us when we were little ... and she does spend time reading with them and playing piano, so it's not only the baking.)

You know what goals you have set for yourself. You can talk with them and explain how they can eat what they want, but you're going to make different choices (because as a PP poster wrote, unless they're going to commit to healthier eating, you can't expect them to change what goes on the table, *especially* if food serves a big role in your family apart from ingesting calories for energy). You may try to find one ally in your family to help back you up? And you'll always have lots of support here on MFP to help you, though! And I suspect when you start seeing changes in your strength, your weight, and your own energy level, you may have a few envious family members who wished they would/could do the same! (Of course, they also could resent your success and try to tempt you with more food in order to justify their situation. Depending on what your family is like, it could go either way.)

Good luck, and congratulations on making the commitment to feel better!

Hey everyone! I just started yesterday, and I am already upset. I told my family that I have to lose 100lbs. and that I am going to on the first. So today I get up walk my two dogs for 30 minutes and that was the most exercise I did in years. The encouraged I get for that is me coming home to bacon, eggs, pancakes, and pork chops for breakfast. It made me so mad that I left home and come back to a box of pizza on the table. I don't know what to do about this. What are some ways that your family enables you? And how did you fix the problem?

Obviously, they are not into eating healthy as you are... Maybe you will rub off on them. Thankfully, our household is pretty much in the journey together (although our 10 year old don't have much choice in the matter...lol)... None-the-less, you have to do this for you and have to learn to manage this hurdle... Eat PARTS of what is offered you... It is as much about portion control as anything... Also, don't be surprised when others actually try to get you to eat... They don't understand your mentality on this... to them it is just a phase or they are trying to help you... I know @ work, my wonderful cafeteria ladies have been SOOOO kind to start preparing my plate before I get there (so they can make sure I have enough to eat... including double portions of EVERYTHING...) I just have to know when to "not clean my plate" as my dear mom always taught.... Best wishes on your journey... don't give up... do it for you.

I am the one that does 90% of cooking and grocery shopping so I control the flow of food. Before I made the decision to be healthier, my husband and I would go for take out at 11pm or late after eating a huge greasy dinner! If I said I was hungry, that I wanted something, that i was mad or upset, he would run to the store or to town for take out. Crazy, I know. When he wanted something, he stopped and always brought the family stuff too. I had to have several serious discussions and yes there was crying involved. There were several attempts on my part to get healthy and as long as I stayed strong, he did too. But the moment I slipped up, it was definitely a continuous fall into old habits. So, this time, I am stronger, my husband is stronger, my kids are young but we don't hide the lingo. They know healthy habits and unhealthy ones. The hear me say fat, diet, bad, but they hear me say healthy, strong, good too. It is always a work in progress but it is important enough for me to step up and be the leader of the famikly in regards to this. Best of luck to you! I know if you make your mind up, you CAN do it.

Great start, keep up the exercising, you'll feel good and your dogs will be happy too!
If your family eat this kind of food for breakfast you have two choices - eat a small portion of what they cook (portion control is a great skill to learn) or cook your own breakfast.
Don't get into a big discussion with them about what you're doing - just go ahead and do it!