Lose weight, attend party

Dear Diane: I am a single, 27-year-old, college-educated woman. I recently moved out of my parents’ house and got my own apartment. I couldn’t stand living one more minute under the same roof as my mother.

In the past few years, I have put on a little weight. I have gained about 45 pounds since beginning grad school three years ago. I am 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weigh approximately 175 pounds. I know I am a little overweight, but my mother continually berates me and calls me hurtful names. I guess she thinks this is “tough love” and that maybe I’ll get mad enough to go on a diet. But it isn’t working. All her words are doing is carving wounds in my soul that may never heal. As far as I’m concerned, I’m a Big, Beautiful Woman, and I’m happy with myself and my looks.

My father called me last night and yelled at me for not calling my mother once since I’ve moved out. I told him I never want to speak to her again. My father said … nay, ORDERED me to make up with my mother in time for me to attend their 40th wedding anniversary party in October.

Diane, I don’t want to destroy my relationship with my father, but I don’t want to see or speak with my mother until she apologizes for the hurtful things she’s said to me. What do I do?

— Hurt in Harrisburg

Dear Hurt: Here’s what you should do: Step away from the cheesecake and onto a StairMaster. You may be Big, but you aren’t Beautiful. “Carving wounds in my soul?” Not only do you need a StairMaster, you need an acting coach, Miss Drama Queen.

Lose the weight. Attend the party. And stop lying to yourself.