When junk food is brought in the house

**Bearsy** · 08-31-2009 09:08 PM

is it wrong that I get pissed off?

My parents know I'm working on losing weight, and that I don't have much self control when it comes to sweets.
But my dad consistently brings junk food in the house, and whenever my mo comes over she ALWAYS brings junk.
And it's not like it's one serving for themselves. They buy the biggest size everything, every time.

I always try to be civil... I tell them I know my diet shouldn't effect their life but "I'm having a hard time not cracking open these __blank__ you brought, next time you want a snack can you just bring enough for yourself? Or bring me something healthy so I can fight off a craving?"

But sure enough, every couple days(and every time I see my mom) there's chocolate, or mini-cakes or ice cream or all of the above.
And I get pissed off, because it feels selfish.
Which I know is a weird thing because it's selfish of me to want them to change their eating habits for me... but it's LIFE AND DEATH for me. So I think I'm allowed too react a little strongly.

**CoLd BlooDed** · 08-31-2009 09:29 PM

I think you're completely justified here. Not only is this a life-changing decision you're making regarding diet and exercise and whatnot, but your own family should be right behind you giving full support. I'd even consider it somewhat disrespectful that they're exposing you to temptation.

**Robot_Butler** · 08-31-2009 11:08 PM

That's like bringing a bottle of booze to an alcoholic's house. It's a dick move. You do need to learn to deal with it, eventually, though.

**Black_Eagle** · 08-31-2009 11:45 PM

I don't think you're wrong to be pissed at all. But then, there's not much you can do about it other than be pissed. If I were you, I'd take this as an opportunity to build that self-control.

**kingofclutch** · 09-01-2009 03:53 AM

Yeah, it would definitely be the right thing for them to recognize what you are doing and to fit their eating habits at the house, but you also can't just stay away from junk food forever. You will have to look it in the eye and say, "No, delicious frosted cupcake, I win today while you live another day."

**Oneironaut Zero** · 09-01-2009 07:17 AM

I'm not going to lie to you, Elis. Even though I think "yeah, your parents should be supportive of you, and they should do what they can to keep temptation away from you", the fact of the matter is that losing weight (much like quitting any conditioned lifestyle) is not about doing what you can do when temptation is not around you. It is about doing what you can do in the face of temptation.

If you are trying to quit cigarettes, you can't tell people, everywhere you go, not to smoke around you. If you are an alcoholic, you can tell people not to bring alcohol in your own house, but when you are living with your parents, you can't tell them how to live their lives, just because you are trying to change yours. It may suck that you can't always get that type of instant support, but if you base your level on change on 'only being good when temptation is not in front of your face', it's not much of a change. If you stick to that frame of mind, you will be all fine and good as long as you don't have any junk food around you, but anytime you go out and see junk food, your cravings will come right back to you.

I'm not saying your parents are right for taunting you with their junk food. I'm just saying that if you want change...real change, you're going to have to challenge yourself to stay away from all those sweets, even though they are right in front of your nose.

Easier said than done, I know...but there is really no other way around it. You will face temptation, no matter where you are. What matters is how you react to it. It is you, that needs to change. Not your environment.

**grasshoppa** · 09-02-2009 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by Oneironaut

I'm not going to lie to you, Elis. Even though I think "yeah, your parents should be supportive of you, and they should do what they can to keep temptation away from you", the fact of the matter is that losing weight (much like quitting any conditioned lifestyle) is not about doing what you can do when temptation is not around you. It is about doing what you can do in the face of temptation.

I was going to say something along these lines, but you've done a fine job, so I'll just quote you.

**Bearsy** · 09-02-2009 06:41 AM

Well yeah, that's a given. I'm already at about a 90% success rate for fighting off temptation though... but it's that last 10% that hurts the most.
After walking past the Twinkie box for 3 days and finally succumbing to it really makes me feel like an asshole, and then I iusually say something along the lines of "fuck it" and eat two more.

**ClouD** · 09-02-2009 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by Elis D.

Well yeah, that's a given. I'm already at about a 90% success rate for fighting off temptation though... but it's that last 10% that hurts the most.
After walking past the Twinkie box for 3 days and finally succumbing to it really makes me feel like an asshole, and then I iusually say something along the lines of "fuck it" and eat two more.

CHEW IT! THEN SPIT IT OUT! SHOW IT WHO'S BOSS!

I don't know if this would actually be very helpful, but I'm going to try that out right now regardless.

Hold in there man, I love you!

EDIT: That was disgusting. Do not try this with a chocolate biscuit.
At least I don't want to eat it again though, it's quite gross.

**Dizko** · 09-02-2009 08:03 PM

Keep it up Elis. I know you we don't know each other but I'll say I was very impressed with past threads you have made about losing weight. Your attitude towards it is fantastic.

I hate when overweight people blame genes or other uncontrollable factors when speaking about how they are over-weight. Sure they do play a large part but when it comes to a matter of health then its just the person at blame.

But judging from past posts and threads I have read from you, I can say that if I ever get over-weight, I hope I have the same attitude as you.

Keep it up, I want to see that skinny photo of you on down the line.