3 Ways to Keep Peace With Others While Dieting
3 Ways to Keep Peace with Others While Dieting
When you decide to start losing weight and becoming healthy, you're excited to get started. You know what you need to do to accomplish your goals and you have every intention of sticking to it. However, you may not have been expecting the lack of support from your loved ones. Why in the world would they not be excited and supportive of you?
It becomes a real issue for you, and the frustration can lead to you giving up on yourself. You start feeling like a selfish person for getting fit. I'm here to tell you; you're not. You shouldn't carry the burden of others or beat yourself up internally, just by wanting to better yourself. Getting healthy is by far, not a selfish choice and you shouldn't be made to feel that way.
Without becoming isolated, which easily happens if you stick with your goals, learn how to navigate the negativity you receive from others. It's your life, and you have every right to better yourself. It will take patience on your behalf, but you'll be so glad you stuck to your guns! Eventually, your loved ones will come to accept that this is your new lifestyle and learn how to support and encourage you.
#1-THE FOOD PUSHERS
When beginning your fitness journey, the first thing that everyone wants to do is nag you about what you're eating. They riddle you with guilt and try to make you feel bad for not shoving food in your mouth at an epic pace. Eating healthy seems so foreign to them, so there must be something wrong with you. The way they eat is right, and you're wrong. Sound familiar?
You must not fall prey to this. They don't understand your new choices, and that's ok. Don't respond with anger or frustration. The less attention you give to your new way of eating, the less they'll fight you about it.
You'll hear me say this repeatedly; they merely feel guilty about their own shortcomings or bad habits. They may feel weak not being able to make the decision you have to better yourself. It's easier for them to criticize your choices than acknowledge their unwise habits. When you sit back and respond, coming from a place of understanding their feelings, the less you'll react and sabotage yourself.
It's pointless to argue about making healthy decisions. It's your life and your body so ultimately; it's your choice to eat how you see fit. You don't owe them an explanation. Just nod and continue to eat how you want.
#2-ONLY EXPLAIN ONCE
I know this sounds harsh, but you don't need to defend yourself endlessly. You're an adult, being healthy is a good thing, and you're not going to apologize for it.
Let your loved ones know that you're serious about getting fit and that you have all intentions of eating better and getting your workouts in. Don't cram it down everyone's throat and make a big production. No one wants to hear about it nonstop. Just because you want to change, doesn't mean they want you to change.
Ask for their support, but know you can still do it without them. Be courteous about your meals plan and workout times. You don't have to be extreme by living at the gym or eating in your car to avoid eating with them. If they see that it won't interfere with their lives, the more likely they'll be to cheer you on.
#3-ENJOY A TREAT MEAL WITH THEM
By letting them see that you're not a crazy, obsessive person and that you too can enjoy treats, will help ease the tension around the dinner table. If you're super restrictive with your food, they'll become genuinely concerned and fight you even more about your new changes.
Inspire them to become healthy by seeing that you can enjoy life and food while still reaching your goals. If they see you starving and working out nonstop, they will run the other direction. How great is it to know that you helped someone else become healthy by merely watching you enjoy the process.
Don't judge them for eating the way they've always eaten. If you are passing judgment and trying to persuade them to join you in a healthy lifestyle, they'll only reject you more. They will react to you the same as you're doing to them. Let them watch you on your journey. They'll naturally want to join you and be less likely to criticize your actions.
It can be shocking the way others react to you wanting to better yourself. You honestly expect loved ones to be excited and happy for you and it's utterly disappointing when they're not. You're not alone. It happens more often than not.
The next time someone starts knocking you for working towards bettering yourself, read this quote:
“We sabotage the great things in our lives because deep down we don’t feel worthy of having great things”
If you realize that this is a place where they're coming from, it will make it easier for you to forgive and continue on your path. This journey is about you and what you're willing to do to stay on track. Don't let others dictate how you should do it but don't push others away while on your way. It's a tough balance as you yearn to have the love and support from your loved ones.
Pin this to your nutrition board on Pinterest. Sometimes we forget how to stay on track when others are talking us down. I’ll be on your board, cheering you on!
Don’t you hate when you start a diet, and everyone around you starts working against you? From the eye rolls to the remarks about how stupid dieting is, you wish they would understand and support you. Learn how to navigate through the trials of dieting and losing weight, with little or no support. I’m here in your corner!
Stay true to yourself, and it will all fall into place. Get your workouts in, eat a balanced diet and remember to enjoy the simple things such as a great meal with your family. Allow them to see that this isn't changing your relationship with them.
I hope this helps you to lose the guilt of bettering yourself and inspires you to stay on track with your fitness journey. If you need some fun, simple ways to keep you motivated, please sign up below to be on the inside loop of tricks and tools too fast track you to all of your goals. I'd love to be a guiding light on your path to greatness!
Hugs & Love,
Aimee
Aimee Schwinabart is the founder of The Purely Fit—online workouts, nutrition, and fitness coaching that actually work! She specializes in short (super effective) daily workouts combined with customized nutrition plans to help real people shed excess fat and reveal toned, lean muscles. The Purely Fit approach to looking and feeling great prioritizes small, steady, super efficient workouts and nutrition upgrades to help you stay with it once and for all!
