When your family doesn’t agree with your diet

The festive season is the best time to be around family, especially after the year we’ve had there’s nothing better than reuniting with family. But maybe our daily habits and lifestyle has changed a lot since we last saw them, maybe you’re with TWS and you’ve been eating well, you’re training consistently and getting your steps in (go gurl!). Your family might have something to say about this, especially at the Christmas table, so I’m going to give you some handy tips to navigate those awkward conversations like the Queen that you are!

Explain your goal to them

It’s a really good idea to explain to your family your goals and what you’re trying to achieve if they ask about what you’re doing. In particular, how you won’t want to eat or drink everything they offer but enjoy things in moderation and they’ll respect that. 

I find that if people have something to say, it doesn’t have anything to do with you, it’s coming from a place of their own insecurity. So keep this in mind when you’re chatting to your family. 

Ask about them! 

When you change the conversation back to someone else they’ll usually completely forget about the passing judgment they were making beforehand. For example if your Aunty says; 

“Have some mince pies! Live a little!”, you can say,

“Oh they look lovely! I might have some later, how’s your dog?” 

People love to chat about themselves, so they’ll just go back to talking about their lives and completely forget what they asked you. 

Fancy waters

I feel like people have a lot to say when you’re not drinking, when it really isn’t their business. A fun little trick you can try if you’re getting a lot of questions about not drinking or only drinking in moderation, is to make some fancy waters with fresh fruit, mint leaves and ice. They’ll think you’ve made some fancy-ass cocktail! No questions asked over here girlfriend. 

Involve them in the process 

The best way for you to get your family onboard is to invite them into your life a little. Maybe bring a plate of food to share on Christmas day (I’ve heard the recipes in Cook With Soph are INCREDIBLE! Hello beetroot dip!), invite your family on a walk or even ask your sister or cousin to do a TWS Anywhere workout with you! That way you’re able to spend quality time with your fam and they feel like they’ve been a part of the journey with you. 

Are they in the arena?

A great quote from Theodore Roosevelt goes:

"...The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

A personal goal of mine, is to not take on board judgement or comments from people who've not achieved the things I'm working to achieve, or attempted to.They have no idea of the process required to achieve certain physical goals, so their comment should not impact.

I hope these tips were helpful. Know you're not alone when it comes to receiving judgmental comments, and it doesn't mean you're doing something wrong. Just different to how other's do things, and that's ok too.

Enjoy everything in moderation over Christmas and focus on having fun with your friends and family! Xx