Parents Scold Their Pre-College Teen During Vacation For Sticking To His Calorie-Deficit Diet

His parents called him a wet blanket for not indulging himself.

Chelsi

• Published in Interesting
• September 3, 2024

An 18-year-old's parents felt his decision to stick to his strict diet dampened the mood of their family vacation. OP decided to go on a cutting diet before he started college across the country.

He wanted to make a great first impression and reinvent himself in a new place where nobody knew him. He has been bulking for the past six months and started his new diet around summer to look leaner when the semester began.

Shredding or cutting is popular with bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts before events as it helps one maintain muscle mass in a caloric deficit to look leaner. OP wanted his face and abdomen to look more defined once he entered his new school.

OP has been happy with his progress since he started his temporary diet, but his parents were not enthused. It was their main gripe while they were on vacation because they believed he was not eating enough food for a "growing boy."

They said OP should have fun and indulge himself. He disagreed because he felt it was more important to focus on his long-term goal.

OP explained that he would feel more confident when he looked better. Some may think it shallow, but OP said it would help him socialize at school.

His parents maintained that OP was spoiling what was supposed to be a fun vacation. OP countered he shouldn't have to defend the amount of food he ate.

The 18-year-old still wondered if his parents were right, and if he should have loosened up while they were on a holiday.

If OP can help his parents see his choice from his perspective, would it help them understand why he went on this diet?

OP thought his parents could be worried he was not eating enough and didn't communicate it effectively. They resorted to name-calling instead of explaining their concern.

Redditors were curious about which part of OP's temporary diet his parents were against.

Could their issue be something else entirely? They could be using his diet as an excuse to "baby" him before he leaves for school.

They probably have OP's best interest at heart but find it difficult to communicate their feelings.

The commenters focused on OP's achievement so far. It must have been challenging to stick to his diet while on vacation.

His parents should learn to respect OP's decision as long as his diet isn't a risk to his health.

Although some may object to it, including his parents, OP has a specific reason for dieting.

The majority voted that OP was not the a**hole. They were supportive of his choice not to stray from his objective.

Some reminded OP that an indulgent meal wouldn't undo his hard work. However, they understood how important it was to him to make a favorable impression at his new school.

His parents likely see OP's point as well, but, as his parents, they wanted him to have a good time before his demanding college life began. It's a simple misunderstanding they could resolve with an honest conversation.

Chelsi