Food bullies
At Dr. Fuhrman's Weekend Immersion in Princeton, New Jersey last month, sharing scrumptious meals together with others was a highlight for me. That’s when I had the awesome opportunity to step away from my computer screen and interact with so many wonderful people from all over the country! I loved listening to the heartbeat of what’s happening in the day-to-day lives of those who’ve committed to a lifetime of eating for health, and especially those who were making the commitment to eat for health over the holidays.
Unfortunately, pushy in-laws and overbearing relatives and friends were a topic of discussion for many in overcoming obstacles during the upcoming holidays.
Hmmm, shall I be so bold to call these pushy relatives and friends, “Food bullies?”
Bullies have a strong need to control and dominate, and usually envy and resentment are at the root of their behaviors.
If a food bully’s intended target exhibits a “defeated attitude” in response to the pushiness, then the bullying is likely to continue.
However, as in most all cases with bona fide bullies, if the intended target responds with a clear attitude of self-confidence and a strong boundary line, the bully’s attempt to dominate will quickly diminish.
Recently I asked Dr. Fuhrman about food bullies, and the following was his response:
"One has to tell relatives and friends now, not later at the dinner table, that he/she is on a special, healthy diet prescribed by Dr. Fuhrman to lose weight and prevent cancer so don’t be offended that conventional foods will not be eaten at the holiday get-togethers.
Giving into food bullies is just another dysfunctional excuse to continue in food addiction. The inability to speak one’s feelings for fear of a reprimand is also toxic and may be cancer causing. By not addressing it, and by not taking a stand with pushy relatives and friends, giving into food bullies is ill-will and selfish; because one is not giving loved ones a chance to learn what they should be considering for their lives also; whether they do it or not."
How about you? Do you have a tangible plan of action to deal with the food bullies in your life this holiday season?
Related post:
Is pleasing Grandma ruining your health?
image credit: flickr by Dinner Series
I was obese for nearly twenty years, and by the time I was in my late 40's I had experienced heart disease, hypertension, pre-diabetes, hopelessness and depression, achy joints, lower back pain, “brain fog,” and loss of energy from chronic malnutrition and carrying around the extra weight.
Almost ten months later the majority of 100 lbs was shed, and today I no longer have heart disease, pre-diabetes, hypertension, achy joints, lower back pain, organic depression, brain fog, or chronic lethargy. I documented the entire journey; including pictures, medical stats and how I was feeling from month to month. To view it click .jpg)
