Are there people/friends you have to avoid...

[NoMorePumpkin]

Now that you are on a mission to live a healthier, happier, fit life - are there people (co-workers, friends, family) that you avoid because...

1. they will [try to] sabotage you ? or
2. you used to hang out together to eat and that type of behavior is not on the agenda anymore so what there left to do or
3. it's somehow EASIER to stay on track?
4. they plain "aren't supportive" of your new WOL?

I ask this because someone else started a Thread about being the FAT Friend. That thread made me think of a girlfriend I had once that I would have to avoid if she still lived locally. She was my "fat buddy." Whenever we got together, we would eat. Not only that, we would feed each others depression moods and go on eating binges together. We had this once place we called, "The Strip." We could hit several (and I mean, SEVERAL) drive-through fast food joints and then sit in the car and pig out and feel terrible together. I think back on this behavior and wonder how it ever started and why I subjected myself to it.

I'm happier now that I've left that mindset and I'm no longer letting food comfort me in any way shape or form. Don't get me wrong, it's still tempting, but being healthy and slim is more tempting.

Punkin-kid

[Momtofour]

Re: Are there people/friends you have to avoid...

My good friend actually started Atkins a few weeks after me. We were "breakfast and lunch friends". We both did great over the summer, but she recently fell off the wagon. I'm trying my best to get her going again. I think part of the problem was that she wasn't seeing results as fast as me. She needs to realize that she was losing and not gaining. We will still hang out together, but it will be harder now that she's not following the plan. I won't fall off the wagon, but it will be harder seeing her eat something that I can't.

[Mary-chan]

Re: Are there people/friends you have to avoid...

I had a friend that I haven't talked to in a few months, and I'm absolutely sure it's because I'm a healthier, happier person. She was one of those people who wasn't happy unless she was unhappy, ya know? Just loved playing the victim. I don't think she liked seeing me becoming happier, and so she just dissapeared. I know she's alive and fine, and I tried getting in touch with her once with no response, so whatever. Obviously, I'm better off without her in my life. Much happier, actually.

Luckily, most people in my life are very supportive. My mother in law goes out of her way to help me, and buys all the right kinds of foods for me. Whenever we are out with new company, the first thing she tells them is "mary and jim are doing atkins!".. I generally try not to bring attention to my dieting or my weight, so it always makes me feel a little ackward.

I'm so thankful my fiance is doing atkins along side me, that is the greatest help of all.

[maribelle]

Re: Are there people/friends you have to avoid...

I do have a person who seems to be trying to sabotouge me. She is one of these people who love to cook, but love people to fawn over her cooking even more, and just WILL not let me go with out tasting. Its really really getting to me, since the last two times, she's pressured me so hard, I've given in, and then fell on my face because I felt so ashamed of myself.
Also, I have a sister in law, who is being kind right now, but there is a jealousy issue arising because I've been able to do this and lose weight for over a year, and she can't get past a few weeks on other diets. Of course she won't try Atkins. The Pooey hasn't hit the fan yet, because I still weigh 60 pounds more than her, but if I continue to lose, the day will come when it will destroy our friendship. She will make every excuse for it in the world, and blame me for imaginary things to make her feel like the victem. I've seen her do it before to others. That will be a sad day, because I truly love her, but I will cross that bridge when and if it gets here.
As for others...most people just seem happy for me. I get the ignorant anti Atkins statements, to which I usually don't reply, and just let my loss speak for itself. The biggest "proof" they throw at me are people they know who tried the Atkins WOL, but did it wrong, and suffered...of course they blamed the Diet, and everyone takes their word for it. Blah blah blah...its all been said before.

Boy...I'm just wordy today, and I need to get moving. Hope everyone is having a great day!

[2big4mysize]

Re: Are there people/friends you have to avoid...

I have one who is constantly eating high carb stuf I loved but she says do you mind if I eat my _________________ and I can either say no but the image is already planted in my mind or avoid her when she is eating. Since i'm a cephalic responder and an emotional eater and a carboholic I avoid her when she is eatting.

[TNDeb]

Re: Are there people/friends you have to avoid...

OK, someone tell me how to handle this situation. I am the office manager in 15 person office. My office happens to be the one that everyone enters through which means I have absolutely no privacy and everyone thinks my desk is "open game." I came in this week and someone had put a whole jar of chocolate Halloween candy on MY desk for everyone to sample. Now, I am sitting here staring at this jar of chocolate that is calling my name. Move it you say, it will be back on my desk tomorrow. Ignore it you say, I can ignore it pretty good until about now (3:00 p.m.)
I just had a piece of jerky but we all know jerky doesn't equal chocolate and I can't eat the fake stuff because it kills my digestive system. I have thought about just making it disappear until people finally get the message that I do not want it on my desk. I just got up and walked it back to the Graduate Assistants desk and asked him to keep it on his desk and I told him that if they bring more, he will be getting more.
Telling them "I'm on Atkins" would fall on deaf ears around here as most are elderly men and could care less whether I am dieting or not.

[Isabeau]

Re: Are there people/friends you have to avoid...

OK, someone tell me how to handle this situation. I am the office manager in 15 person office. My office happens to be the one that everyone enters through which means I have absolutely no privacy and everyone thinks my desk is "open game." I came in this week and someone had put a whole jar of chocolate Halloween candy on MY desk for everyone to sample. Now, I am sitting here staring at this jar of chocolate that is calling my name. Move it you say, it will be back on my desk tomorrow. Ignore it you say, I can ignore it pretty good until about now (3:00 p.m.)
I just had a piece of jerky but we all know jerky doesn't equal chocolate and I can't eat the fake stuff because it kills my digestive system. I have thought about just making it disappear until people finally get the message that I do not want it on my desk. I just got up and walked it back to the Graduate Assistants desk and asked him to keep it on his desk and I told him that if they bring more, he will be getting more.
Telling them "I'm on Atkins" would fall on deaf ears around here as most are elderly men and could care less whether I am dieting or not.

I'd toss it in the garbage, in your office so everyone can see. If it comes back, toss it again.

[Mary-chan]

Re: Are there people/friends you have to avoid...

I second that, it is YOUR desk and you are the manager!! Tell them if they keep putting chocolate on your desk you will make a rule against eating chocolate in the office!

[NoMorePumpkin]

Re: Are there people/friends you have to avoid...

I agree with the previous two, but I would probably put it a little more gentle (lol).

Send out an email message or however you choose to communicate it that you are "...not going to tolerate snacks or whatever being left on your desk. I am trying to watch what I eat and I don't appreciate you leaving candy or whatever there. You are more than welcome to put it on your own desks, but if you place it on mine, I will put it in the trash."

I think that's fair. They need to respect your request.

I'm in a similar sized office and although they respect my WOL, lots of them have candy on their desks (that I have to walk by or sit in front of when I'm visiting their cubes or office). They bring in donuts way too much and it is a struggle, but you have to fight for you. No one else will.

Good luck!!

Hugs ,
Punkin-kid

[dreamof145]

Re: Are there people/friends you have to avoid...

Or you can make some clouds and take with you for your treat. Let them eat the Halloween candy...If you go to work prepared, it won't bother you. If they are doing it to sabotage your weight loss, then they won't get any fun out of seeing that it doesn't bother you.

For me...the whole key to succeeding in my struggle to overcome my weight loss has been to be prepared at all times. If I always take my allowed food with me, then I can make it through anything that comes my way. I always carry an emergecy pack with me (In my car trunk)...just in case. This has saved me many times when I first started Atkins from giving in to temptation.