How to Handle Weight Comments and Criticism at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a traditional time of feasting, meaning that it's also a traditional time of scrutiny for those struggling with their weight. From preparing their plates to choosing a beverage to deciding on whether or not to have dessert during this special occasion, those with weight issues feel a certain pressure to openly acknowledge and justify their choices. Regardless of how careful you are, there is always the possibility that a tactless family member will make a crude comment about your weight, even if you aren't facing a true problem with it. Sometimes it's just an unsophisticated person's favorite time of year to put others down in order to lift themselves up. Prepare yourself ahead of time with the following tips on how to handle weight comments and criticism at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

Tip #1: Dress for success. It doesn't matter if you're a size zero or a size twenty-two. Wearing low rise jeans and tight tops to a meal that traditionally bloats the body to unreasonable proportions is a great way to welcome weight comments. While the suggestion being made here most certainly is not to resort to an elastic waistband, take the appropriate steps for ensuring that your wardrobe doesn't give off the impression that there are more pounds to fend off than there really are.

Tip #2: Try not to make overly enthusiastic remarks about food in front of tactless family members at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Doing so will open anyone up for criticism from those looking for an easy way to make themselves feel better. In other words, gushing about the fact that you're looking forward to seconds might open you up for a comment about whether or not that's a good idea, whether you really should, etc. Unfortunately, that's the case for us all, weight issues or not. Don't give weight obsessed family members that opening they're looking for with a vengeance.

Tip #3: Ward off Thanksgiving weight pressure by enjoying your meal around supportive family members. No matter how much you may love your sister, it isn't healthy to sit with her during a traditional feast if she tends to make comments about every calorie. Though you may be counting every calorie and carb yourself, there's no need for someone to help you do so. You are aware of the choices you are making, and sitting with critical family members at the Thanksgiving dinner table, even if they are well-meaning, can destroy your self-esteem. Catch up with those members of the group after the meal has been enjoyed in peace.

Tip #4: If weight is brought up, remain calm and graceful. Regardless of how your family may feel, you are under no obligation to explain your weight, any plans to lose weight, or your food and beverage choices during the Thanksgiving meal. If a comment is made that is less than constructive, exude grace as much as possible by calmly and directly acknowledging the comment and then transitioning into another subject. There's no need to dwell on someone else's crude remark any longer than necessary.

Tip #5: Finally, make weight comments from critical family member at Thanksgiving all about them, not you. If someone in your family makes it a point to be cruel about your weight, even after you've asked them to stop and explained how hurtful it was, turn the tables back on them. Ask them why they feel the need to bring up your imperfections when they have a few of their own. Directly address their attitude problems and make it known that they are being less than tactful. This step alone is usually enough to ward off that dreaded Thanksgiving weight conversation.

On a final note, try not to internalize every weight topic brought up at Thanksgiving. If you are not directly being spoken to, chances are your family members didn't intend to hurt you...they're merely being thoughtless. If you truly don't have a weight problem according to medical professionals' guidelines, don't let tacky comments at the holiday dinner table affect your view of yourself. Thanksgiving is an easy and effective time for critical individuals to bring up the weight issue to everyone in the room, whether they need to hear it or not. Enjoy yourself, place yourself among supportive individuals, and remember that, in most cases, a person bringing up the topic of weight at a holiday function is more concerned with concealing a private problem of their's than with addressing an issue of yours.