looking for an answer

fatguy23

New member
Ok so I've been having this problem for a while now and I figured that maybe some of the people on this forum have had similiar problems and possibly came up with a solution..thing is, I've been eating well and excersizing for about 7 months now with regularity, obviously I allow myself to cheat sometimes, but other than that it's 85% on track. My wife is the same age as I am, 26, and hasn't been able to get with the program, she is not fat by any means, 130 lbs and 19% body fat at 5'7", but she is definately headed down the wrong road...she has gained alot since I met her, etc...I don't care what she looks like, but I feel sometimes that she is deliberately trying to derail my progress...she gets pissed when I eat chicken and vegetables, because she wants to eat worse things, when we're at restaurants she rolls her eyes when I order, and then she takes down a burger and fries right in front of me...I don't want to be blunt with her or mean because I love her, but at the same time I feel like I need to do something...any thoughts are appreciated!
 
.I don't want to be blunt with her or mean because I love her,
Blunt and love are not exclusive (although I'd probably skip on the "mean" part. ;) ).

I have the same problem, to a degree. I work hard to eat healthily and exercise and his idea of a good evening at home is to pop a frozen pizza in the oven and toss down a couple of Cokes. He often comes home from work with a bag of Cheetos as a "pre dinner snack". When we go out to dinner together, I'll think of a place where I know I can order something healthy or w/in my calorie allowance and he rolls his eyes.

Finally one day about a year ago I just had to sit down with him and say "Look ... this is blunt, but I have to tell you that your attitude about my being healthy is really hurtful. I am trying to be healthy, lose weight, and get in shape and your eye rolling, bringing in bags of chips, and generally not supporting me is mean. It makes me feel bad. It hurts my feelings. And it makes me feel like you don't care about what's important to me."

I'm not gonna say that he did a 100% turnaround, but for the most part it did help. Just pointing out the behavior made him realize he was doing it ... and I do think a lot of it was unconscious. Also he got me to realize that I was trying to force him to eat the way I was and that wasn't fair either.

I had to accept that if he wanted to chow down a burger, fries, and a large coke when we went out to dinner, then that was his choice - and it has no bearing on me. I can only choose to order healthy food for me and it's not fair of me to force those choices on him. I also needed to stop seeing HIS food choices as being about me. (And that was really hard, I have to admit.) I needed to realize that his choice to eat a burger had nothing to do with throwing it in my face and everything to do with the fact that he wanted a burger and fries.

It's tough to be in a relationship or sharing a house with someone who doesn't have the same food and health goals as you do. It's still a struggle for me somedays - both to separate myself from his food choices and to remember that it's not all about me all the time. :)
 
I'll think of a place where I know I can order something healthy or w/in my calorie allowance and he rolls his eyes.

this is my biggest problem, we eat out quite frequently in a town without many choices, she loves mexican food, and I have yet to find something that a. I can even get nutritional info on, and b. that I would think would be acceptable even if I did have nutritional info on. so I pick the same boring restaurant, applebees, where I know I can get cajun lime tilapia with rice pilaf and vegetables, and she gets all pissed...and yes I know it's not fair to her either, having to eat at the same place all the time and never getting what she wants to eat...I guess it's just a pain in the ass situation that we need to try our best to compromise on, thanks for the post kara.
 
she loves mexican food, and I have yet to find something that a. I can even get nutritional info on, and b. that I would think would be acceptable even if I did have nutritional info on
Yeah, that's a tougie. Also my housemate doesn't get that "a salad" is not always a healthy choice. His favorite place to go is California Pizza Kitchen and when I object, he will say something like "well they have salads". Uh, yeah. Their lowest calorie salad is something like 1200 calories. That's 2/3 of my daily calorie allowance. Dork. (ok, i don't call him a dork, but I do think it)

Is there any way you could talk to the manager of the restaurant and get something healthy made off menu? There's a place here that I like to go to - it's actually a chain, but the manager is super nice and I often will order a grilled chicken breast with avocado and salsa and a side of black beans.

I can't remember how long you've been doing this, but I know it took me a good year to be able to go into a restaurant and find SOMETHING that I could eat. I've gotten a lot better at it and I'm also a lot better at asking for the manager or asking the waitstaff to find me something healthy. I used to get embarrassed about it, and now I just do it.
 
Is there any way you could talk to the manager of the restaurant and get something healthy made off menu? ..................I've gotten a lot better at it and I'm also a lot better at asking for the manager or asking the waitstaff to find me something healthy. I used to get embarrassed about it, and now I just do it.

I've learned to do this too, not only because of an unhealthy food choice point of view, but I also don't eat meat so that presents an interesting twist too. I've learned to do some creative ordering and what's really cool, I've found some of my ideas on the menu at our little diner. Remember, when you are out, you are the customer and if you ask nicely most places are willing to accomodate your requests. You may not know the exact calarie count, but you should be able to fix what they have in order to make a healthier version.

Kara is right too about really just being in charge of you and letting everyone else do their own thing. Try not to take it personally....not always easy, I know.
 
yea, that's a good idea, I have gotten a bit picky before with the waitstaff and I always feel like a jack ass when I do, I'm the type of guy that doesn't make things difficult, or better yet, if I ordered a steak medium well, and it came out medium rare, I would eat it just because I wouldn't want to make conflict, I like medium rare steak as well so I just eat it...I do need to be a little more picky it seams, and I try to order something off menu at our local mexican restaurant, but there is a pretty sifnificant language barrier, plus everything they cook there is made in a really heavy oil, they don't grill things so much as throw them on the flat top in tons of oil or butter...so even if I did order say, a grilled chicken breast, it would be drenched with that awful stuff.
 
I have gotten a bit picky before with the waitstaff and I always feel like a jack ass when I do, I'm the type of guy that doesn't make things difficult, or better yet, if I ordered a steak medium well, and it came out medium rare, I would eat it just because I wouldn't want to make conflict,
You know ... it's funny .. but I used to be like this too. If my food came out wrong or bad or just not the way I ordered it, I would just accept it because I didn't want to make trouble or look like an ass.

But I'm also wondering if being fat had a lot to do with it as well. I wonder how much of my reluctance to make a fuss was not drawing attention to myself and maybe a little bit about my sense of self worth. You know? I'm just a lazy fat person and I don't deserve to be picky? Also I think there might have been a sense that as a fat person, making a fuss about food was embarrassing because it just drew attention to my fatness. I wonder if unconsciously I might have thought everyone else was thinking "look, you're fat so you'll obviously eat anything - what's the big deal?"

I dunno ... I honestly don't know if that's true or not, but the more I think about it, the more I think I might be having a lightbulb moment here. :)

I know that even when I was heaviest I never *thought* I had self esteem issues - I've always considered myself smart and confident and all of that. But I remember about a year ago after I lost a good bit of weight, someone told me that my entire demeanor had changed - that I seemed more self-confident and happier and a bit more outgoing. At the time I didn't think I'd really changed that much, but I did come to see some validity in what he said.

And it's funny, as I said, now that I think about it, I have NO problem asking waitstaff very detailed questions about food and asking for my meals to be VERY custom. And I don't have a problem asking for the manager (nicely of course) and getting a restaurant to fix me something I can eat. I have gotten to the point where I am not at all embarrassed to tell someone "Look, I lost 80 lbs last year and I don't want to gain it back. Is there ANYTHING you can do to help me out here?" Usually when you're that up front, people will really fall all over themselves to help you.

Huh. I really wonder how much losing weight influenced my behavior in restaurants and vice versa ... so that it's all part of a big circle. Interesting.
 
You sound like a really nice guy. Maybe too nice at times. I have (had) the same problem. I have a hard time saying no to people, and I always put their needs first. I'm a bit of a people pleaser. This way of thinking is what made me so fat(well one of the reasons). I never made time to do what I needed for myself. You are making these choices for YOU and that is perfectly OK. It is your right to be happy. You are going to have to be blunt with anyone that is out to sabotage your progress. Talk to your wife and tell her how her comments and actions make you feel. She might not even really know how much it hurts you. Ya know.....With all the lame ass, dead beat, cheating husbands there are out there, it really seems petty to get upset about what you order for dinner. Maybe you guys could start cooking together and start making meals at home instead of eating out so much. The meals would be healthier, you'd save money, and have some quality time together. Good luck! Don't let anyone stand in your way!:cheers2:
 
this is my biggest problem, we eat out quite frequently in a town without many choices, she loves mexican food, and I have yet to find something that a. I can even get nutritional info on, and b. that I would think would be acceptable even if I did have nutritional info on. so I pick the same boring restaurant, applebees, where I know I can get cajun lime tilapia with rice pilaf and vegetables, and she gets all pissed...and yes I know it's not fair to her either, having to eat at the same place all the time and never getting what she wants to eat...I guess it's just a pain in the ass situation that we need to try our best to compromise on, thanks for the post kara.

Can you google or check some of the menu's that they have online? Sometimes I check the foods on daily plate, or some of the restaurants have the calories listed. I go in armed. LOL I have 3-4 choices that I would like, & if they're out of the first I move onto the next.



Yeah, that's a tougie. Also my housemate doesn't get that "a salad" is not always a healthy choice. His favorite place to go is California Pizza Kitchen and when I object, he will say something like "well they have salads". Uh, yeah. Their lowest calorie salad is something like 1200 calories. That's 2/3 of my daily calorie allowance. Dork. (ok, i don't call him a dork, but I do think it)

LMAO!!!

But I'm also wondering if being fat had a lot to do with it as well. I wonder how much of my reluctance to make a fuss was not drawing attention to myself and maybe a little bit about my sense of self worth. You know? I'm just a lazy fat person and I don't deserve to be picky? Also I think there might have been a sense that as a fat person, making a fuss about food was embarrassing because it just drew attention to my fatness. I wonder if unconsciously I might have thought everyone else was thinking "look, you're fat so you'll obviously eat anything - what's the big deal?"

I am very self-conscious, chubby, thin, before, after-now, I can get quite paranoid, I actually can really relate to this last paragraph here Kara, except for opposite reasons. Because I could carry my weight quite well, and I hid it quite well too. And ppl always (how I felt) looked at me cooky or cross eyed, when I make a fuss (really not a fuss) I always thought that this is what they were or would think, "she's so skinny, she could use at least an elephant BUT she's asking for a salad. I am really shy to ask for a salad, it's THEEE Weirdest feeling I get in the world. It's like I am not allowed to be healthy because I am so skinny. And yet when I do order cake or JUST cake no meal, I feel weird too, I feel like I am being stared down by the staff or the bigger ppl, "Oh look at that skinnybiatch eating cake, of course she can, she's so skinny. Or can't she order something healthy, one day if she keeps putting it back like that she'll gain. Basically the type of stuff I've heard all of my life. :nopity: Waa Waa I know lol I am working on this.

I really feel embarased (sp?) too when I do the, hold the mayo, hold the salt, hold the dressing, hold the bacon, thanks. ;) I don't even enjoy going out to eat anymore, because I can't be in control of what is being cooked. Plus I can no longer have the meals I really enjoyed having. That's how I feel. I am tightly wound, and I am also trying very hard to relax more with my food intake.
 
Ok so I've been having this problem for a while now and I figured that maybe some of the people on this forum have had similiar problems and possibly came up with a solution..thing is, I've been eating well and excersizing for about 7 months now with regularity, obviously I allow myself to cheat sometimes, but other than that it's 85% on track. My wife is the same age as I am, 26, and hasn't been able to get with the program, she is not fat by any means, 130 lbs and 19% body fat at 5'7", but she is definately headed down the wrong road...she has gained alot since I met her, etc...I don't care what she looks like, but I feel sometimes that she is deliberately trying to derail my progress...she gets pissed when I eat chicken and vegetables, because she wants to eat worse things, when we're at restaurants she rolls her eyes when I order, and then she takes down a burger and fries right in front of me...I don't want to be blunt with her or mean because I love her, but at the same time I feel like I need to do something...any thoughts are appreciated!

I know that some other people have had the same problem as you - feeling as if their partner is "out to get them" so to speak - so I'll offer up the words of wisdom that are most commonly thrown out there, which just so happen to be the words of wisdom that I agree with...

Maybe your wife is insecure and/or jealous with your weight loss. Maybe she feels that when you lose enough weight, you'll start to attract other women due to your new found health and body. And, maybe she feels like when that happens she'll no longer be "good enough" for you, you know? So, to hide her insecurity and fear of losing you to someone else, maybe she is acting out by rolling her eyes, not being supportive, etc.

Obviously, your wife is the only one who knows why she is doing the things she is doing, so you should try asking her. Sit down with her and have a long talk about how you feel as if she isn't supporting you and talk about how she feels about you losing weight. Let her know that you're not trying to lose weight in order to look better so you can attract other women - let her know that you're trying to lose weight so you can look sexier for her and be more attractive for her.
 
we talked about it last night at the olive garden, lol, I had salmon, and she had smoked mozzerella fonduta, salad, breadsticks, and 5 cheese ziti, and the mints we got. I was a little upset at the end of the meal because it was like she was knocking it back just because she could. I told her that it didnt help me out any when she eats like that, and that I understand she has the right to eat whatever she wants..she got all riled up and started crying saying that she didnt know she was hurting me, etc...hopefully the problem gets better, but I think I hit a nerve.
 
Here's two cents from a fellow fatguy... :)

I was once talking to one of my closest friends (who also happens to be my pastor) about something…he said something that changed my way of thinking about my relationships with other people. He said ”E., get over it!”

It sounds simple. What he was telling me was that I was the one holding on to these “hurts” and allowing them to get in the way. This other person wasn’t losing any sleep over what they said to me two weeks ago…I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS MAD AND UPSET!!! Why should I carry this around and let it sour my attitude and steal my joy? I only have control over my own words and actions.

He went on to say “You may never know why this person does the things they do…what you need to discover is ‘why’ you allow the things they do to hurt you”. People only hurt me if I give them the authority to hurt me. I choose what hurts me and offends me. It may sound like I’m being ‘cold’, but it’s just the opposite. I’ve learned to give the forgiveness and love that is given to me (totally different thread topic there, lol). I need to love people “where they’re at” with all their imperfections, just like I’d hope they’d do for me.

So, to ChefChiTown’s point, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE. When she rolls her eyes at you ordering the chicken, ask her “why does it bother you that I order the chicken?” Don’t let it fester…you’ll only tuck it away until it grows and grows and grows until it explodes and someone says something they shouldn’t have.

There will be some people that think what I’ve said is complete BS, and I respect that. Like I said, it’s just my two cents. Four more posts and you’ll have a dime :)

E.
 
we talked about it last night at the olive garden, lol, I had salmon, and she had smoked mozzerella fonduta, salad, breadsticks, and 5 cheese ziti, and the mints we got. I was a little upset at the end of the meal because it was like she was knocking it back just because she could. I told her that it didnt help me out any when she eats like that, and that I understand she has the right to eat whatever she wants..she got all riled up and started crying saying that she didnt know she was hurting me, etc...hopefully the problem gets better, but I think I hit a nerve.

Ok, now I think I know what part of the problem is. When you're trying to eat healthy (lean chicken breast, salad, fish, etc) you get upset when your wife eats something unhealthy (pizza, tacos, chocolate cake, etc) right in front of you...correct?

If that's the case, I think you need to suck it up and get over it. Does it suck having people eat fatty, delicious looking and tempting foods right in front of you while your chewing on rice cakes or low fat yogurt? Yeah, it does. It really, really does. But, get over it.

I live with my parents and they eat crappy foods all of the time. I've been trying to lose weight for about 3 months now and while I've been sucking down fruits and vegetables, they have been eating chips, pizza, ice cream and brownies right in front of me for the whole time. They're not doing it to be dicks, they're just not trying to lose weight like I am so they're not changing their eating habits. Your wife isn't trying to lose weight either, so leave her alone. Don't expect her to order a bowl of fruit and a salad when you're out at a restaurant just because you're there. Expect her to order the bacon wrapped tenderloin or the fried chicken dinner. She's a grown up and can eat what she wants. Just because you're trying to eat better doesn't mean that she has to, you know?

I hate to sound like a dick, but just let her eat what she wants to and let it go. So, it sucks not eating the greasy, fatty dinners that your wife does...get over it. Losing weight isn't easy (as I'm sure you know already), so don't get upset when the moments get hard.

Like I said, I'm not trying to sound like a dick (although I'm well aware that I do), but I think you just need to realize that just because you're trying to lose weight, it doesn't mean that everyone around you is going to make things easier for you by changing their lifestyle.

Here's two cents from a fellow fatguy... :)

I was once talking to one of my closest friends (who also happens to be my pastor) about something…he said something that changed my way of thinking about my relationships with other people. He said ”E., get over it!”

It sounds simple. What he was telling me was that I was the one holding on to these “hurts” and allowing them to get in the way. This other person wasn’t losing any sleep over what they said to me two weeks ago…I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS MAD AND UPSET!!! Why should I carry this around and let it sour my attitude and steal my joy? I only have control over my own words and actions.

He went on to say “You may never know why this person does the things they do…what you need to discover is ‘why’ you allow the things they do to hurt you”. People only hurt me if I give them the authority to hurt me. I choose what hurts me and offends me. It may sound like I’m being ‘cold’, but it’s just the opposite. I’ve learned to give the forgiveness and love that is given to me (totally different thread topic there, lol). I need to love people “where they’re at” with all their imperfections, just like I’d hope they’d do for me.

Yup...what he said.
 
While I think mostly I agree with the "suck it up" advice, I do think there can be an element of meanness in how a spouse goes about eating what he or she wants in this situation.

FG has said that not only does she make faces (rolling eyes, etc.) when *he* orders healthy, she then turns around and orders vast quantities of unhealthy food and ostentatiously enjoys it in front of him. Seems to me that there's a lot of passive-aggressive action going on here.

Ideally he would eat what he wants to eat w/out having his wife making faces and rolling her eyes, and FG would accept that she has the right to order an entire menu of fattening food and it doesn't reflect on him. But when the two are combined, it makes it harder to ignore it or suck it up, I think.

Honestly I think the best thing to do would be to sit down and talk about it NOT WHILE YOU'RE EATING. :) It's too hard to become accusatory while the food is right there in front of you. Don't accuse: "You always roll your eyes at me". Instead ask questions: "It seems to bother you when I order healthy foods when we eat out - why does it upset you?" And be honest about how you feel again w/out being accusatory - "It hurts me when you order really fattening foods and eat them in front of me. I would like you to be more supportive of my need to be healthy." Reassure her that you don't care what *she* eats - you're not trying to change her diet or make her feel bad about herself, you just would like her to not make you feel bad about your choices either.

I know .. I know .. .it sounds like something straight out of Dr. Phil. :) But if you can talk about it w/out accusing each other and away from the actual food, you might be able to come to an agreement.
 
Ok, now I think I know what part of the problem is. When you're trying to eat healthy (lean chicken breast, salad, fish, etc) you get upset when your wife eats something unhealthy (pizza, tacos, chocolate cake, etc) right in front of you...correct?

no, I don't care what she eats, yes I want to eat the same food and not gain weight, but that isn't the problem, the problem is, she goes OUT of her way to eat terribly in front of me, for instance, say last night I would have ordered lasagna, and hadn't been on a diet, etc..she would have probably just eaten what she normally gets, chick alfredo, we would have shared an appetizer, and that would have been that...she deliberately (and I know she did it deliberately, she's my wife) went out of her way to eat that much food to spite me...like "nana na nana na you can't have this" lol


FG has said that not only does she make faces (rolling eyes, etc.) when *he* orders healthy, she then turns around and orders vast quantities of unhealthy food and ostentatiously enjoys it in front of him. Seems to me that there's a lot of passive-aggressive action going on here.

This is much more accurate as to what I'm feeling, and she's not succeeding in uprooting my new lifestyle, not for lack of trying though...maybe she's a chubby chaser :)
 
*Let me preface by saying that like Chef, I too do not mean to come across harshly towards FG*

Kara,

To an extent I guess I agree...it's not the action, but the motive that is hurtful.

I was wanting FG to look at himself, not his wife. Why should it bother FG that his wife is having a cheesburger? She's not the reason he's FG and not SG (skinny guy). Not that FG is trying to do so, but WAY too many people try to push responsibility for their actions onto other people. Regardless of the motive, so what if she eats a cheeseburger? It's just a cheeseburger....why does it have to be a symbol of someone's love? It's meat, cheese and bun...I hope my wife's love for me doesn't come down to a $8.99 entree at Chili's... :)

I guess I'm wired a little different than most. I know I'm ultimately responsible for what I put in my mouth. If I tell someone I need their support and they throw it back in my face, that MOTIVATES me. In my mind I say, "I'll show you..." and use it constructively. If she wanted to go to a restaurant where there was nothing I could eat, I'd say "No, I don't want to go there because there's nothing I can eat. Let's compromise". Maybe that's just me.

I'm up to 4cents.

E.
 
While I think mostly I agree with the "suck it up" advice, I do think there can be an element of meanness in how a spouse goes about eating what he or she wants in this situation.

FG has said that not only does she make faces (rolling eyes, etc.) when *he* orders healthy, she then turns around and orders vast quantities of unhealthy food and ostentatiously enjoys it in front of him. Seems to me that there's a lot of passive-aggressive action going on here.

What does it matter what she eats? He doesn't have to eat it and he knows that. He is just choosing to get upset by the fact that she's not eating healthy food, which has nothing to do with what's on his plate.

If you exercise everyday and your spouse sat on the couch and watched TV while you were getting ready to hop on the treadmill, would you get mad at them for not encouraging or supporting you? No, so why do it with food?

Ideally he would eat what he wants to eat w/out having his wife making faces and rolling her eyes, and FG would accept that she has the right to order an entire menu of fattening food and it doesn't reflect on him. But when the two are combined, it makes it harder to ignore it or suck it up, I think.

Ideally, his wife should be able to eat what she wants without having her husband getting upset at her food choices too. It works both ways, which is why I think he needs to suck it up. And, to be fair, his wife needs to suck it up too.

Honestly I think the best thing to do would be to sit down and talk about it NOT WHILE YOU'RE EATING. :) It's too hard to become accusatory while the food is right there in front of you. Don't accuse: "You always roll your eyes at me". Instead ask questions: "It seems to bother you when I order healthy foods when we eat out - why does it upset you?" And be honest about how you feel again w/out being accusatory - "It hurts me when you order really fattening foods and eat them in front of me. I would like you to be more supportive of my need to be healthy." Reassure her that you don't care what *she* eats - you're not trying to change her diet or make her feel bad about herself, you just would like her to not make you feel bad about your choices either.

I agree with that. Talk to her when food is not around. Discussing your problem over a meal would be like trying to convince an alcoholic that he shouldn't drink while you're sitting at a bar having a beer with them.

no, I don't care what she eats, yes I want to eat the same food and not gain weight, but that isn't the problem, the problem is, she goes OUT of her way to eat terribly in front of me, for instance, say last night I would have ordered lasagna, and hadn't been on a diet, etc..she would have probably just eaten what she normally gets, chick alfredo, we would have shared an appetizer, and that would have been that...she deliberately (and I know she did it deliberately, she's my wife) went out of her way to eat that much food to spite me...like "nana na nana na you can't have this" lol

Well, think of it this way...

Maybe she feels the same exact way about the food that you order. Maybe she feels as if you are saying "I think you need to be eating better, LIKE ME", as if you're better than her. So, in retaliation, maybe she orders the shittiest foods she can think of just to get back at you, so to speak.

It just seems to me as if it's a cycle that you two go through in which you both feed off of eachother's actions and end up making things worse. So, I think you need to be the bigger man here and just deal with it. Talk with her about it and get it all out in the open. Tell her that you're sorry if you make her feel uncomfortable when you order healthy foods and make sure to explain why you're ordering the healthy food. Let her know that you're not trying to send her some subconscious signal that she needs to eat healthier (which could be making her feel bad), rather, you are ordering the healthy choices because you know that you need to lose weight - not her.

Then, let her know how it makes you feel when she orders all of that unhealthy food and eats it right in front of you. Let her know that you're not mad at her for doing so and that she can eat whatever she wants to eat, but let her know that when you see her eating pizza and burritos, it becomes really tempting and makes it harder to eat healthier - which you're concerned with, because you're afraid that it might get in the way of you trying to lose weight.
 
What does it matter what she eats? He doesn't have to eat it and he knows that. He is just choosing to get upset
Ok, having been in FGs place with my own spouse in the past, I'm going to disagree. :)

(FG, don't you love being talked about in the third person like this? *grin*)

Seriously though ... I get the impression that FG *doesn't care* what she eats - it's the fact that she goes out of her way to be bitchy about it. Now I may be pushing my own situation on what I'm reading, but it's not always about choosing to be upset. My ex used to come in and intentionally eat chips in front of me - making "mmmmm" noises and saying things like "too bad you can't have any of these, they're really good". Just out of sheer meanness. And yes, in that case it DOES matter what he eats - because many times he wasn't eating them because he wanted them. He was eating them intentionally to taunt me or try to get me to "cheat" ... because then he could say "see .. you're not all that. you can't even keep from eating potato chips". (And yes, he did that too. Which is why we're ex ... but that's a different subject entirely.)

If you exercise everyday and your spouse sat on the couch and watched TV while you were getting ready to hop on the treadmill, would you get mad at them for not encouraging or supporting you?
No, but if he made fun of me whenever I was on the treadmill or mocked me or rolled his eyes at me and made comments like "jesus. you're gonna get on that damned thing again?" ... I'd get mad at him for intentionally tearing me down.

While I agree that 90% .. maybe even 99% of the time ... "suck it up and quit being a selfish jerk" is the answer, I don't think that's the case here.

There are times that "you choose to get upset" is a bullshit answer. Because sometimes people - especially those who know you well enough to push your buttons - do it intentionally and maliciously.

And again, this is from the perspective that I have from being there. I could be wrong.
 
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There are times that "you choose to get upset" is a bullshit answer. Because sometimes people - especially those who know you well enough to push your buttons - do it intentionally and maliciously.

I respectfully disagree. I used to have one of the worst tempers of anyone I knew. But I decided that my temper had ruled me and my emotions long enough. So I made a choice. I choose to walk away. I choose to let things bother me or not.

Now, that DOES NOT mean that someone's action will not justify a reaction. If someone is intentionally trying to upset me, I will call them out. They are going to know that I know what they're doing and that it sucks :mad:

Please don't think I'm trying to be "holier than thou"....again, maybe I'm just wired different.

E.
 
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Well, you're contradicting yourself there.

On the one hand you say you disagree that sometimes people push buttons and then on the other hand you say if someone is trying to intentionally upset you, you'll call them out.

If they affect you to the point that you call them out, then they have succeeded in some form in achieving a reaction from you - in affecting you enough to get you to react by calling them out.

:) Not trying to be argumentative ... just saying that a reaction is a reaction, whether it's emotional or not.
 
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