OP back with an update: I'm officially halfway to my total weight loss goal! I'm at 182.5 which is 45 pounds down, and 45 more to go to put me at the top of normal bmi.

Thanksgiving was absolutely awful. My mom's family tease me that I am too fat but also made fun of my small portions this year (make that make sense!) and my mother and aunt think I'm somehow insulting their cooking by eating less and avoiding the desserts.

Anyone who is successfully losing weight during the holiday season-- kudos, it is so hard.

You are the best

This is OP back again.

Thank you so much to everyone for the support, encouragement, and kind words.

I hope everyone else who is on their own weight loss journey is experiencing success and receiving the support you need.

I think these next few months are going to be the hardest for me to maintain diet & exercise momentum because of all the holidays. My mom is already starting to make her "test" batch of baked stuff for Thanksgiving and she gets so upset when I won't taste test more than a bite or two of a few things per day. (She says I would be able to be thin and eat what I want like she does if I would smoke too but I have asthma too bad to smoke or I start coughing and choking like I can't breathe).

Does anyone have tips for how to not fight with family about a new diet that the family member doesn't like?

For the posters encouraging me to move away from my mom, I see your point and I wish I could but there are several difficulties I have to find a way around first.
I used to rent an apartment for very cheap per month from my uncle, but when COVID hit he got a lot less hours at work so he could not afford to keep renting it to me instead of somebody who could pay market price so I moved back in with my mom.
I haven't found a job I can work full time hours at due to pain, fatigue, and brain fog from all of my different medications, so I currently work part time as an administrative assistant. With only part time hours I can't afford to pay rent on my own place.
On top of this if I live alone I have to budget for a cleaning service or housekeeper at least once a week because there are several cleaning tasks I can't physically do without falling and injuring myself (I use two forearm crutches on a good day or a walker on a bad day in the house, and I haven't figured out running a vacuum, having the arm strength to scrub tubs, or reaching high enough to clean windows/mirrors, etc).
Also, I can't drive because my brain injury messed up my vision, and I currently live where there isn't much public transportation.

I don't think I will be moving out again any time soon, although it remains something I hope for in the future.

Anonymous wrote:PP. I have found that doing an hour of stepping per day in place in comfy shoes actually does help. Not even working out or leaving the house. I could watch t.v. while doing this which made it tolerable. I don't like setting out to do pure exercise for it's own sake.

Using a step or just walking in place?

CONGRATULATIONS OP!!

Congratulations! You are amazing.

PP. I have found that doing an hour of stepping per day in place in comfy shoes actually does help. Not even working out or leaving the house. I could watch t.v. while doing this which made it tolerable. I don't like setting out to do pure exercise for it's own sake.

Great job OP! Keep up the good work!

I have done some backsliding and I need to do better for myself again. Your post is an inspiration to me.

Thanks!

May god bless you on this journey

Good for you OP!!!

I'm glad you took a little time to brag - you worked hard for the privilege. It's totally awesome what you've accomplished!

We love you OP