Weight Loss: Don't Listen to Your Friends
Everyone has an opinion on how YOU should be losing weight. I remember when I got serious about losing weight, I got plenty of advice from all sorts of people some solicited and some not. Some advice was really helpful and others (usually the unsolicited) missed the mark. In MY personal journey I had to figure out what would work for me. Often, the problem with advice from others is that they don’t really know you. They don’t know that you are prone to ordering a whole pizza and devouring it in one sitting; they don’t know that you could eat a roll of cookie dough if left unmonitored and they don’t know that you’d rather drown yourself than run 1 mile around the corner.
Be careful who you invite on your weight loss journey. Most people have issues with their own body. People will project their own negative perceptions of themselves onto you when they see progress. It’s enough to battle the temptations, unmotivated moments and frustrations that go along with losing weight, then to add dealing with the psychological warfare your friends and family. Trust, it is a full out war. When you do finally come close to your goal people will say “You look to thin you need to eat” or “Your always working out you should rest.” Don’t allow these negative perceptions to invade your psyche. Be strong.
It takes hard work to get in shape and stay in shape. You should be proud of reaching that point where fitness and healthy nutrition is no longer a chore. Yes, it is great to reward yourself but don’t let the words of others influence your choice.
This past weekend I was on a family vacation. I have lost about 10 pounds since I started training for an upcoming marathon. One of my family members kept harping on my weight and said I was too thin. Meanwhile, I thought I looked great, and other family members told me how toned and fantastic I looked. However, this one family member kept encouraging me to eat and I did. Before you know it I come home 7 pounds heavier. Instead of listening to myself I allowed the insecurities of another influence my choice. It was funny because the same family member who was saying I was too thing called me the day after we got back and asked for help losing weight.
You know yourself better than anyone else. Ask God for guidance on your decisions regarding your weight and getting healthy. He will steer you in the right path, put the right literature in front of you and send positive people your way.
Are there negative influencers in your life? Are you getting push back from family members about being healthy? Share your thoughts and experience.
Paparoxi | tagged diet, exercise, friends, habits, nutrition, projections, psychology, relationships, self esteem, self worth, weight loss 
Reader Comments (3)
Love this post. I'm going through the same thing. It's good to NOT LET JUST EVERYBODY in on any journey where you're making a positive change. I told myself, NOBODY will have me reverting back to unhealthy behaviors, I don't care what they say. It's not like you're showing signs of an eating disorder. If somebody isn't supportive, I cut it off at the onset. And I love my new journey. Thanks so much for being an inspiration. A marathon is in my future as well. Gotta push the limits, be healthier, so I can truly live in my purpose WELL. #GodBless #Hugs
God bless you too Janell! So blessed to have the honor to share and inspire. I have experienced this so much since I got on my healthy soap box. Thanks for your support I really appreciate you.
Thank you for this!! I was so fed up this past week with my friends this post came just when I needed it. I've a lot of weight this past year and it is harder then ever before dealing with it. Some of my friends are not helping the situation and one in particular I have to see everyday because we work together. Not only does she make it a point to mention my weight gain at every chance she gets her idea of eating and working out to lose weight is all wrong. I don't even correct her because she won't listen to the facts when it comes to weight loss. Plus as I try to tell people everyone's weight loss journey is different because our bodies our different. What works for one may not work for another. I feel in some ways she is trying to sabotage it by asking me to skip the gym some days or share a cookie during lunch or chips, asking me how I am full off what I am eating I should eat more. I am not focused mainly on weight loss but a lifestyle change and maintaining my health. The weight loss will come along during my journey. I do not want to end up like the other women in my family with the health issues we face. I am trying to reverse the cycle. Pray for me lol. I am finding it hard outside of a few select people, to find the proper support. And as the post said above no one really knows you or what you have been through. A while back I suffered from bulimia and binge eating, something that is a day to day struggle. This is something that is very taboo in the black community because black women are not known to suffer from eating disorders. I know I am not alone, and I hope more can speak out about their struggle so we can help those suffering now. I know for me personally I never spoke out because I was never really skinny or fit the physical stereotype of someone with an eating disorder. All of us on this journey of taking care of ourselves spiritually, mentally, physically need all the support we can get so I highly appreciate sites like this and posts like this. God bless you! I was ready to throw in the towel it was a rough week lol.