Has your husband or wife or other family member asked you that already? If not, you are a blessed person, because most of us will get that question many times before we’re done with our challenge.

See, those closest to you, even those who have been openly critical of how you have let yourself go, often feel threatened by your new Body for Life lifestyle. They don’t feel comfortable watching you spend so much time trying to get yourself back in shape. Why? Well, that topic is too complicated for a short blog, but I will simply let that go with this observation: Those who see another change often feel threatened because they either feel neglected, or they feel guilty about their own shortcomings in fitness, or SOME OTHER SIGNIFICANT DISCIPLINE in their life. It is far easier for them to criticize and try to sabotage your activity than it is to own up to their own problems and to have to deal with them.

Assume with me for a minute that you believe what I wrote above to be true. Would it help to argue with your family member, or to be critical of where they might have fallen short? Not a bit. It will only escalate things into phrases such as, “WELL, YOU always……”

 You know how these fights go–you’ve had them hundreds of times with this same person–only just over different things.

Here’s your solution. Simply lavish unconditional love on that person. Invite him to go with you on the BFL journey, but don’t wait around for him. AND DON’T remind them of their shortcomings in retaliation for how they hurt you. Believe me, if this is a guy, he doesn’t even really know how that stupid remark hurt you. And letting him have it will only make things worse. You will win them over by accepting and loving them exactly the way they are, no matter what they have said or done to you. Revenge has no place in a Body for Life lifestyle.

Back to that question for a minute. “When will you be normal again?” Actually, you are normal right this minute, and if you do it right, Body for LIFE will be your life. This represents the NEW you. It’s not just a diet that gets you to where you can start getting fat and out of shape again. It truly is a new lifestyle that will free you from many things–including lapsing back into old habits, and  the need to get even with others.

So, how do you resist the need to get even? Pray for that person every single day, twice a day, to have the same blessings you want for yourself. And, before you open your mouth in spite, silently say the serenity prayer to yourself–something like “give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Silence will quickly appear to be the best option. And it gets easier every time you have to wrestle with it. Over time, when you no longer take the bait, your family member will stop casting it in your direction. Heck, he might even come work out with you one of these days!

God bless!