Gm,

I asked to please join the family for breakfast at bagelman. It's something we also done. I was told practice will power.

@@Sexy Granni I think it depends on where you are (mentally/emotionally) in your weight loss journey. Have you had surgery? Which one? How long ago? How are you feeling about joining the family?

In my opinion - this weight loss decision is about YOU and no one else. We have spent our lives doing for others and making our choices depending on what others want or think. When I made the choice to have the Gastric Sleeve, on Oct 20th this year, it was a choice that I made for myself and no one else. Along with the decision to have the surgery came the decision to begin making all my live choices based on what I want/need/think rather than what others want/need/think. I know it may sound very selfish. I thought so too. However, both you and I are now grandparents; which means we have already spent most of our lives doing for others.....our spouse....our children.....and now our grandchildren. I had to decide....at some point before I die.....to start making choices that make ME happy. Sure, making my family happy also made me happy. But, I needed to be truly happy with "MY" life. It started with the decision to have the surgery and to begin to make choices regarding my health/diet, etc based on what is best for me in order to be successful.

To this end I say that if you feel you're strong enough emotionally/ psychologically to attend a restaurant meal with your family, AND, stay true to your weigh loss lifestyle, Go For It. If not - or if it will cause you too much stress/anxiety or you feel you make make too many bad food choices - I say don't do it. They will eventually understand; if not now - eventually they will.

Best of luck to you in your journey to be healthy and truly happy.

Holiday Blessings, etc..

Years ago, I watched a British movie called Bartleby. Bartleby gets a job as a secretary/receptionist and every time his boss asks him to do something, Bartleby says "I prefer not to." He must say it about 1,000 times during the movie, and you almost change the channel many times, but Bartleby's insistence draws you back in. Be a Bartleby for a while, and speak up for yourself. Tell them you prefer not to, but if they want to start a new tradition, they are welcome to come to your place for breakfast and you can prepare a "make your own omelet" bar for everyone. Clearly, the family doesn't care how YOU feel, so don't feel so guilty about standing your ground.