My restrictive eating triggers people

Taking scales on holiday is in the realm of an eating disorder, I hope you’re ok OP (kindly). I understand that you might be fearful of gaining weight back, but is that because you don’t trust yourself? If you are eating similar to what you would eat at home you’re not going to suddenly gain 10 pounds. Also, weight can fluctuate due to water retention etc throughout the day, so not necessarily an accurate reflection weighing every day. X

The fact that you take scales on holiday and that people describe you as scrawny sounds like you're not actually a healthy weight, no matter what BMI says. Do you think that maybe people are just worried about you because they can see how controlled your eating is and not in a healthy way?

YANBU to only have one slice of pizza and make salad. YABU to bring scales on holiday, it’s quite tacky to make others privy to your issues in this way. Use your common sense to eat well on holiday and enjoy a walk every evening, shave the 3-5 pounds off when you get home.

I totally understand OP, losing 60lb is no easy feat, dieting is miserable and I can imagine the constant fear of letting go and putting it back on again.

If taking the scales with you and being mindful of what you eat on holiday upsets family members, then I would say it is them with the problem and maybe they need a bit more understanding.

I think you absolutely can do whatever you want - but I wouldn't enjoy being on holiday with someone who didn't share my love of food, so for me that wouldn't be fun!

Your food / weight attitude does sound disordered to me, but whatever works for you is fine. But I wouldn't be thrilled being around someone who restricts so much, that just wouldn't be for me.

Tell her your eating habits are none of her business and she can keep her nose out.

And you can easily either a) choose not to eat/drink those things or b) have a week of enjoyment and lose it when you’re home again. It’s not difficult. Nobody needs scales to tell them that. You do realise that weight naturally fluctuates anyway each day?

It’s very common for people to be made anxious when someone else makes a life-changing decision and sticks to it. Good for you and keep going!

The best things you can do now is not to mention your thoughts about diets and food in general.

Taking a set of scales with you on a two-week holiday is OTT and not healthy. Try “I’ve had enough to eat, thanks” and “No, I don’t want that”. If neither of those work try “Mind your own business”

I don't think anyone is right or wrong here but your attitude to food still sounds disordered.

Taking the scales on holiday is a bit unusual, but your SIL (and your sister) are being rude to mention it. I think that some of their comments are because they have issues around food and weight, as is very very common for women in our society.

If you otherwise have a good relationship with them,can you not have a serious conversation and explain that it is hurtful when they make comments about your eating or your weight, and that you are going to ask them not to comment on anything in that area from now on.

Those scales would be straight in the bin if I was on holiday with you too. Absolutely ridiculous and completely obsessive behaviour.

They are not unreasonable to find it tedious, especially on holiday. Food is part of family life. You’re just going to have to become more resilient to their pestering and let it bounce off you.

I wouldn’t enjoy going on holiday with someone who actually packs scales! That’s taking it way too far
East sensibly by all means but imo you’re letting your weight control your life.
Have the ice cream and some other treats whilst away and then plan to get straight back on track when you get home

Taking scales on holiday is a step too far tbh.

Don't take the scales just eat lightly and treat occasionally you will be fine

If you feel like this, why on earth would you go on holiday with your SIL? And frankly, taking scales with you is excessive. You know what not to eat if you don’t want to put on weight, and as you say, if you put on a couple of pounds, you can eat lightly for the following couple of weeks to make up for it. Eat what you want and ignore other people - but don’t be a martyr about it. The point of being on holiday is you can relax a little.

Given the amount of weight you lost, I am going to assume you were considerably overweight and I can imagine the thoughts you had then will stay with you a long time. It’s also very understandable to not want to return to a time you were unhappy and you likely see being overweight as symbolising that (in yourself, at least).

I don’t think people who have healthy relationships with food do find it easy to understand those who don’t, regardless of their reasons behind it. I also think that we often take far more offence or get hurt/annoyed by things that were are sensitive to. It’s likely people make lots of comments others would find annoying but they don’t register with you because it’s not something you are sensitive to.