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I was in a situation this weekend where I was with people (older family) who watch television a lot of the day for various reasons. I haven't had a TV for a few years. I find plenty of ways to waste time on the computer/phone and am exposed to ridiculous advertising, but TV is crazy. I could not believe how there was ad after ad after ad for fast food and convenience food. They had a huge TV and thus the burgers, fries, and fried chicken were huge, too. It looks like nearly all the food these family members eat comes from restaurants or packages. I admit, about third of the food I ate even while I was losing weight was prepared by someone else besides me. But I am observing other effects that I am willing to at least experiment with my diet to decrease. It's their prerogative not to but boy does it make it hard. Especially when they have health problems associated with their food choices and overeating. Others often get defensive and I admit I get the same way, though I rarely bring up anything specific unless asked. It doesn't help that we have very different passions in life as well. And it really doesn't help that their passions are much more sanctioned by mainstream culture than mine are. I just haven't been able to pull those things off. Even if I were involved, those things create division as well. Finding common ground can feel like such work. We did bond over some SNL skits and Dame Edna! Well, I'm home now and have to stop having offensive/defensive conversations in my mind of with people who aren't even here!
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