Dear Abby: Family sabotages healthy eating efforts

Dear Abby I am struggling with a fresh determination of severe liver sickness non-alcoholic and need to lose pounds I have had two bouts of cancer in five years as well as arthritis I have dedicated myself to explicitly following my professional s directions to eat organic and low-fat foods and to exercise daily to improve my liver I face surgery in the next minimal months I live with family members who claim to be supportive yet get angry when I turn down invitations to all-you-can-eat buffets buttered popcorn at movies fast food and pastries One stormed off when I turned down a visit to a deli for a huge salami sandwich I politely commented I wasn t hungry which was true After this argument I lost focus I stopped weighing myself daily and began backsliding I am no longer hopeful about improving my wellbeing These family members are well aware of my determination because they were present at the curative consultation How can I stay strong without moving out It is my house Sick and Tired in California Dear Sick and Tired It s time to reaffirm your desire to LIVE Because of your wellbeing problems this will mean making changes that will be lifelong Ask your medical expert for a referral to a registered dietitian who can guide you in making those adjustments and when you have your first consultations bring your sabotaging relatives with you When they deliberately tempt you to stray from this lifesaving initiative they are encouraging you to jeopardy your life If they are unwilling to get on board then THEY not you should move out Dear Abby Every time my granddaughter and I talk she invariably tells me to let her talk I m getting older and one day I won t be here for her to tell me to let her talk Believe me I know I d give anything to talk to my Big Mama once more I certainly blew up and advised her that one day I won t be here and to have a good day I haven t spoken to her since Majority of the time I have to call or go by to see my great-grandsons if I see them at all I m tired of being the only one to make an effort I love her with all my heart but my heart has feelings too Please advise Overlooked in Mississippi Dear Overlooked I know you are hurting and for that I am sorry But when someone says Let ME talk it usually means that the other talker is hogging the conversation I doubt your granddaughter reported it to be mean She may be busier than you are Conversations are supposed to be shared not turned into lectures Because you have pivotal life lessons you want to impart consider writing them in a journal or recording them Since you seem to be making all the effort to see your great-grandsons perhaps it s time to concentrate less on your children s children and put more effort into socializing with contemporaries If you do you may find it equally if not more rewarding Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren also known as Jeanne Phillips and was founded by her mother Pauline Phillips Contact Dear Abby at www DearAbby com or P O Box Los Angeles CA