Now, don't get me wrong, I have some super supportive family members. Of course, it helps a lot when your twin sister is also on the Healthy Habit Bandwagon. It helps even more when your husband is, too. The problems arise when you have to return home. My grandmother, bless her heart, is one of the sweetest people I know. But, she doesn't know what being supportive means when it comes to life choices...especially if they involve food.
It's difficult enough to make any changes to your routine, but when my husband and I return home and have to eat, it isn't any easier. We both have to really struggle to lose, then keep off the weight. (We Endomorphs got the short end of the stick on that one.) Returning for a visit home is a mine field of lifestyle pitfalls and arguments waiting to happen. And it starts when you walk in the door. There's always a cake or some sort of dessert waiting. (Of course, we love it, who wouldn't?) We try the good ol' "Oh, we just ate before getting here, maybe later!" stand by first. That might help until actual meal time...then it's no holds barred.
She’s even gone so far as to wake up super early and cook it all before we get up so she can then say, “Don’t let this go to waste now,” when we won’t eat her outrageous portions. If, by chance, it isn't already cooked, she stands close by hovering and saying "You're going to eat more than that, aren't you?" or "Remember, you can have as much as you want!" Even worse? I've had more food magically appear on my plate as I sit there!
Like Cassey mentions in her article, sometimes saying no equals getting served bigger portions. Telling my grandmother no over food isn't easy. She takes it very personally, and of course that gets to me. I'd never want to purposely hurt her feelings, but sometimes, you just can't help it. Suddenly, a simple No Thank-you turns into a question and answer session, and usually I end up wondering out loud why in the world it's so damn hard to respect my personal decisions. I think anyone with a Diet Saboteur in their midst has put up with any or all of the following...
"How can you eat that? I couldn't live like that!""Stop being such a fanatic.""You're restricting yourself too much.""Well, eat it just this once, for me.""It's {insert occasion here}, live a little.""Don't let this go to waste, there are hungry people that'd be happy to have it."
Yeah...not fun, is it? I admit, it was comforting to know someone else has a family like that. I'm glad Cassey decided to share her story, because it's actually a really important topic. Most people I know are concerned, in some way, about their health or weight and, in my opinion, there are three types of players in the game: the Habit Changers, the Supporters, and the Saboteurs. And that extends to any situation, not just dietary changes. I have learned again and again how important it is to surround yourself with supportive, encouraging people, especially when it comes to things like this. Negativity just doesn't help anyone. Reading Cassey's story made me even more grateful for the Supporters in my life. How about you?
