A woman recently shared her ongoing struggle with a father-in-law who frequently comments on her weight during every family gathering.
In a post titled “My Father-in-Law’s Unhealthy Obsession with My Weight,” shared on an online forum, the woman opened up about the emotional toll her post-pregnancy body changes have taken on her.
“After having two kids, I’ve gained significant weight,” she explained. “My belly has definitely grown. I bounced back fairly quickly after my first child, but my second pregnancy differed. I initially lost about 5 kg (approximately 11 pounds), but then hit a frustrating plateau.”
She revealed that she has gained nearly 20 kg (about 44 pounds). “I’m not thrilled with how I look,” she admitted. “Focusing entirely on motherhood has taken a toll on me physically and emotionally. I’ve been dealing with postpartum depression, extreme stress, and even hair loss.”
But according to her, the real challenge isn’t just the physical transformation—it’s the constant pressure she feels from her father-in-law. “Every time we meet, he seems to make my stress worse. I can’t help but wonder if his sighing is because his once-slim daughter-in-law has gained weight.”
During a recent birthday dinner for her father-in-law, things took a turn. He began asking intrusive questions like, “What’s your current weight?” “What’s your diet like?” and “Are you exercising?” As if that wasn’t enough, he even commented during the meal, saying things like, “How many bites have you had?” and “You should just stick to water.”
It didn’t stop there—she revealed that her father-in-law calls her twice to thrice a week, pestering her with questions like, “Did you go for a walk today?” and “Have you eaten more than two meals today?” His obsessive concern has become a source of constant pressure.
“I feel like my self-esteem is at an all-time low,” she confessed. “I’m already dealing with stress and depression, and when my father-in-law fixates on my weight, it makes me feel less than human.”
She went on to explain that her husband defends his father’s actions, saying that his dad is only worried about her health, especially after his own diagnosis of diabetes. “He thinks his dad fears I’ll develop diabetes too if I keep gaining weight,” she said. “But honestly? This situation is slowly breaking me down.”
She reflected, “I try to remind myself that it’s coming from a place of concern, as my husband says, but it’s not that simple. The hurt I feel is real, and it’s deep.”
She also clarified that she doesn’t overeat, adding, “It’s incredibly frustrating that the weight won’t come off. With the holidays coming up, I’m already dreading the inevitable hurtful comments. Just thinking about it is enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed.”