Are Your FAMILY and FRIENDS Making You FAT? (part 2)

It’s my fault. When my daughter comes home, she expects ice cream. This is the female bonding I taught her – girl-talk over brownies. I created this problem.  Now, I want to change … or I feel I ought to change. Perhaps “want” isn't the right word. I “want” to climb into a vat of fudge and emerge a healthy weight. Wanting and reality are 2 different things.

Just because I’m trying to change, doesn’t mean the people around me are interested. They were comfortable with fat-me. So was I … but it was really unhealthy. I feel better now. The looking better part is just a bonus.


As I’ve lost weight, I noticed a change in some of my acquaintances. Fat people are a lower form of life – the only group it’s socially acceptable to condemn for their appearance. If you have to feel superior to someone, pick a fat gal. Family members. Co-workers. Clients. The pecking order in their minds changed, when I reached an average weight. Women, who used to weigh less than me, have the biggest adjustment. They're worried. What if I weigh less than them now?


Then, there are the enablers. “You don’t want to lose too much.” “Don’t pay any attention to those height and weight charts.” “Haven’t you lost enough?” Maybe they’re trying to understand? Maybe.


Change isn’t just hard internally. Ask someone in AA. Sometimes, the people around you make it more difficult.