Rant: People who sabotage your efforts

[EthansMom]

Anyone care to complain about the people in their lives who aren't supporting their efforts to live a healthy and fit lifestyle?

For me, this person is my SIL. Before I got pregnant with my daughter and ended up having complications AND put on lots of weight from the stress and enforced inactivity, I was in great shape -- eating right and exercising. I had gotten very strong and slim. My SIL's comment when we saw each other on vacation was, "You are waaaay too skinny." (Yeah, they call this fit, hello???)

Well, now we live just down the street from SIL and BIL and I love them, really do, but they have a totally different lifestyle than us. SIL cooked a chicken dinner that used 3 STICKS of butter to cook chicken for 7 people! Plus, she often calls to invite us over to share fresh baked cake. I'd love to visit, but I find it difficult to turn down the cake (she's very insistent that I must have some). It's gotten to where DH and I don't visit as often because I don't want to have a tug-of-war with SIL over eating high fat/high calorie food.

I know that my SIL is jealous and the sabotage is her way of showing it. (She's at least 50 lbs. overweight and NOT interested in making the lifestyle changes that would be necessary to lose the weight.) I just wish that SIL could accept that I'm who I am and I won't continue to be fat and lazy because it makes her feel better if I am.

EthansMom

[Barb D]

And then there's the extended-family-member-who-shall-remain-nameless who, when I mentioned I'd been to Weight Watchers that morning, said, "Can't you watch your own weight?"

In the name of family unity I did not explode.

[yasuern]

In times past it used to be my DH - anytime i'd lose a few lbs he'd start cooking these eloborate meals - but since we have been on Atkins - NO PROBLEMS(except that he loses twice as fast as I do) - I am not sure what plan you are on but maybe you can start bringing your own homecooked plan friendly treats to share w/SIL AND BIL?

GOOD LUCK
Sue

[septbride2002]

I have learned to deal with this by always bringing something along. She invites you over for cake - take some veggies and dip, enough for at least 2 people. :)

Either that or if you want - invite them to you house for meals - that way you control the menu.

~Amanda

[Spoisal]

That's a tough one, but at least you got to vent & get it out of your system. I find this type of thing EVERYWHERE! I have always found it easier to say "oh, no thanks, but I would love a cup of coffee (or water or whatever)" without saying, oh, it isn't on my diet...or that isn't healthy. when you say that, it puts some people on the defensive. Lie if you have to - say "no thanks, i'm stuffed" (when it comes to cake). If you are having dinner there - limit your portions. You can get around these people & situations by giving them LESS information - don't tell them you are dieting or "watching what you eat". Just say no thanks. Good Luck!