Hi Kibs,
You've had some really good advice in the replies so far. I think that all the great and positive benefits we feel when we are doing Atkins actually can make it harder to deal with people we care about, who don't/won't/can't apply theselves to it, and therefore reap the same benefits we are! My DH is doing Atkins with me, although he has a lot less to lose than me, but he does have potential pre-diabetic blood sugar issues. I have to stop myself getting really cross with him when he cheats - because I want him to be healthy and I know this way of eating will help him to be so.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chinadoll  Even if you decide not to say anything, at least thinking what you would like to say sometimes makes you feel better.  |
You can also take this a stage further - some people suggest writing a letter to the person who is aggravating you, especially when you would find it difficult to deal with a verbal confrontation. In the letter you lay it on the line exactly how you feel about the situation between you, how you feel about their behaviour and the dynamics of the relationship between you.
You never actually send it, but the thinking is that by writing it down you give yourself a chance to identify what you really feel. You've already done this to an extent by writing the post, but by making the letter to your mum, you also kind of fool your brain into believing that you have dealt directly with her, and it then becomes easier to cope with and less stressful, less likely to keep churning around in your mind again and again. I think that's the gist of the theory anyway. You destroy the letter later. Some people do something like burning the paper to 'symbolise' the end of the matter. I must admit the only time I tried it I just shredded the letter (much less dramatic and more modern!) It was still very effective and very cathartic though!
Although you have described your mum really well in your post, you are the only one of us who really knows her, and how the relationship between you 'works' (and the times when it doesn't work!) So, of course you can pick your options from the advice you've already had, or take an altogether different route of your own! Mum or not she should respect you and your choices, but I would just say to weigh up your options carefully.
Continuing to lead by example could be all it will need in the long run...
CP