Dealing with Family comments

[Belle1984]

So, I'm going to stay with my dad and his wife for xmas this year, although I'm already feeling stressed and uncomfortable about the 'pressure' I'll most likely receive, and the need to constantly refuse the cakes and chocolate that will be waved in my face - this drives me insane seriously.

I know my dad/step mum care, but they don't understand that this WOE is better and NOT just a quick fix diet. I've been reading much more into the effects of a low-carb diet (prevents cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity etc.. research by Barry Groves especially good) and would be happy living and eating this way forever as far as I'm concerned.

In the past, I experienced various eating disorders, both anorexia and bulimia but not on an extreme level. I was able to recover from them, because it was to do with my unhappiness and response to it at that time in my life, rather than the need/want to be skinny.

My dad witnessed this unfortunately when I was 17, so he knows I had a problem.

Anyone able to offer any advice here? I haven't told him I've been following low-carb eating because he then starts telling me how good pasta or rice would be with whatever I'm eating! After reading about the effects of low-carb and 'reduced' cancer risk, I was hoping I could bring him round to the idea - going to take Barry's book along in hope that I'll be able to persuade them!

How does everyone else deal with this?? I trully hate it when someone puts a dampner on something you're enthusicastic about - can really make you doubt yourself and your efforts.

[momtomany1]

Just tell them you feel so much better, that eating carbs makes you feel sleepy and foggy-headed. You just have to stand your ground that it is better for YOU, they have to decide what is best for them. Most likely they don't want to hear about their food being 'bad' or a cancer risk or anything along those lines. Just say, Oh I have been so good about not eating sugar I have lost my taste for it! Or say how much fun you have been having with all your extra energy.

Then when Thanksgiving dinner puts them all to sleep, do the dishes! You will be a heroine!

[julirama723]

I stand firm, there is NO ONE in this world who is going to force me to eat or drink anything that I don't think is healthy. You've just got to be tough, and stick to your guns. At first, you might feel kind of awkward, yes. But it just gets easier and easier. Soon people will respect you for your dedication and healthy habits.

A lot of times someone will offer me something, and I'll say "No thanks, I don't eat that." Then they feel smug and say "Oh, you CAN'T eat that, I'm sorry."

I reply "It's not that I can't eat it. I could eat anything I wanted to. It's that I WON'T eat it--I refuse to put that junk into my body." Then they're not so high-and-mighty...

[taovande]

Also to help avoid the dessert issue....you should make one of the low carb cheesecakes....that way you don't have to turn down dessert.

[liv]

Speaking from a parent point of view. I know if I was in your dad/stepmom's shoes I would be very worry and it would be hard not show this. I think you have to explain this to them in advance. Reassure them that you are not just dieting this time but learning to eat healthier. Tell them you need their help. Tell them how they can help you. Tell them sugar is something you avoid but there are many healthy ways around this.

[ceemarie]

Bring some of your own foods with you to their house. And practice says, "no thanks" when presented with food you choose not to eat. Perhaps offer to make dinner one night and treat them to a delicious low carb dinner.

[Elizellen]

Most people will accept that eating sugar and the 'white' starches is not a healthy thing to do. So maybe just telling them you are avoiding those will do the trick? Using the 'A' word with many people makes them assume you are doing the bacon and steak diet so seeing you are eating your veggies might help.

[zoewmu]

Originally Posted by Elizellen

Most people will accept that eating sugar and the 'white' starches is not a healthy thing to do. .

This is what I do when I'm with someone who will just try to drag me into an argument. No one will tell you that you need to eat more sugar.

Other than that, I just try not to make a big deal of it. I eat what I'm going to eat and say nothing about what I'm eating or not eating.

[kimbat06]

I know what you mean when it comes to turning people down when they offer you carbs. I was at my (future) sister-in-law's house last night and this morning and she made breakfast... asked if I wanted cereal... I said no I don't eat carbs anymore... then she offers pancakes... lol. So she eventually makes bacon and eggs, and STILL put a tortilla on the side! Sigh. I gave it to my fiance lol.

And I don't think that you should NOT tell them you are on Atkins, but just let them know that you have decided to put your health first and that you are trying low-carb. He doesn't need to know that it will be a WOE right now, but when he sees how great you look in a few months he will understand and I'm sure no more questions will be asked

[Katlambert]

When I first started Atkins two years ago I simply didn't tell anyone I was doing it. First, I didn't want anyone to know if failed again. But I soon realized that people didn't really even notice what I was eating or not eating. Once I started to lose a lot of weight and people noticed and asked why I would tell them and strangely enough, it was then that they would try to encourage me to eat the exact things that I told them I didn't. Really strange...

My opinion is just to play it down as much as possible and stick to your guns!!