Inappropriate gifts

[swimmer4]

DH has lost 5 stone and managed to keep most of it off for 3 years now. However he doesn't have the support of his family - they keep giving him boxes of chocolates as gifts. Fortunately he has the will power at the moment not to be tempted but they are a real weakness for him and once they're opened he tends to eat most in one go.
It seems petty to point out to his family that he actually doesn't want food related gifts but you wouldn't buy a bottle of wine for someone who's decided to cut back on alcohol - would you?
What should he do?

I get a lot of chocolate too (teacher) and I often just donate them to the food bank/pass on to family and friends. After all it’s the thought that counts.

Thanks, introvertedbuthappy. I've done exactly the same - a lot of mine went to a Charity raffle - being careful that none of the parents were likely to attend!!

However these aren't my gifts to discard - out of sight out of mind is definitely the best thing to do but DH seems to have a problem with giving them away when they were a gift.

I'm far more comfortable telling a white lie if asked later if they were enjoyed I expect that says something about me!!!

I'm more worried about the fact that his family are trying to get him to put the weight back on

That’s hard. My family are the same (my Mum got me a Dolce & Gabbana panettone for Christmas with the quip “this is all you can use from there isn’t it?” (For context I’m fat).
I’ve lost 3.5 stone so far this year and now NC with my parents (lots of reasons!)
Would your husband be comfortable with you getting rid of them on his behalf? Like him I just can’t self limit chocolate. It’s an all or nothing food for me so I avoid it.

Can he not just tell them he’s given up chocolate and that he’s appreciated the gifts but in future he won’t be able to consume them?

Are his family overweight? It could be that your DH's (amazing) weight loss is making them feel bad about themselves. I think he needs to be blunt with them, tell them he no longer enjoys chocolates and will be donating any future gifts to the food bank. Maybe he could offer a few alternative suggestions, basket of fruit, flowers for the house etc, but I have a feeling that would fall on deaf ears.

I think he needs to tell his family that he’d rather not have the gifts. It’s really unfair of them. If they keep giving them and trying to make him self sabotage, then you need to ask your DH what he’d prefer you do with them. Maybe hide them away to use as gifts for someone else, or just give them back to his family and say you’ve got enough chocolates in the house.

Well done on the weight loss introvertbuthappy. And best wishes. Its hard NC with parents but you have to look after yourself and have a break from what might be a toxic relationship.

And thanks to everyone else for your responses - all really helpful. You hit the nail on the head with regard to his family - they're in desperate need of help with their health & wellbeing but just can't face it, so are in a place of denial which unfortunately involves trying to upset other peoples attempts to improve their wellbeing or lifestyle.

I should be thankful that with us it's something we can manage i.e. re-gifting!!