Limited Motivation from Friends

I'm in high school, so my friends are a really big part of my life.  Problem is, most of them are skinny.  They're the type of skinny girls that can eat until they puke and not gain a pound, and they flaunt that ability everywhere.  Even some of my heavier friends bring me down.  I've given up pop, and I've been off for almost a year except for the one sip I had a few weeks ago (it was gross).  They keep saying "one pepsi won't hurt you" and there is never healthy food when I would go over to their house.  My family also eats a lot of junk because my brother is a very picky eater and we have to adapt to his habits.  I only have one friend that really says that I'm doing well, but it doesn't seem like enough.  I'm not sure what to do about it.

Here's a tip that will save your life....   Don't talk to your friends about losing weight or having a healthier lifestyle and don't compare yourself with them.  Just get on with it quietly, in your own time and in your own way.  Paddle your own canoe.   Once you say 'I'm on a diet' everyone has an opinion and starts interfering.

Family are different.  If what you eat at home is determined by someone else going out and shopping for groceries then you need to talk to that person (mum) and explain that you're trying to eat more healthily.... otherwise the fruit, vegetables, porridge oats and the wholemeal bread won't make it into the trolley.  If 'junk' is a part of your family's life you can't expect them to drop it just to please you.  However, you can determine what you eat for breakfast... a healthy cereal or some wholegrain toast is easy enough to do for yourself.  You can make your own packed lunch for school and include some fruit snacks .... so you could be in control of that one.  And, when it comes to suppers, fill most of your plate with salads and vegetables (now that you've asked mum to get them) and just have a small amount of the pizza or whatever it is they're all eating.  Another way to deal with families is to learn how to cook a healthy meal and offer to make it for them.  Take the initiative... 

Exercise is entirely down to you.... Even if your diet isn't 100% perfect you can do a little more exercise and that evens things up beautifully.  Good luck

gi-jane's advice is spot-on.  What sensible, level-headed advice. 

When your friends are the centre of your world it can be difficult to do something different, like not have soda or junk food when they all do.  You want to be one of the crowd.  Peer pressure is a powerful force when you are a teenager. 

If you confide in your friends about your diet, it is fairly likely that each of them will have an opinion on it and they will sabotage your efforts by throwing unwanted temptations your way, just to see what happens.

If you can, try to imagine what these friends will look like 10 or 20 years from now, were they to continue eating mainly junk food.  They won't always be skinny and healthy looking.  Chances are they'll be overweight and unhealthy. 

You may not believe me, but having the courage to do something different from the herd (be it an activity or eating different food) will actually engender the admiration of your friends, because it shows you respect yourself and are taking responsibility for yourself.  You won't be a mere follower anymore.

I'm glad you have one ally in your group, to give you some support.  However at the end of the day, this is your weight to lose and whatever way you look at it, you have to do it by yourself. 

Dare to be different - successful people never follow the crowd.

Oh wiltshirelass, that is such wonderful advice.  Great to read something like that.  That's something we all need to remember every day.

You have to eat junk food because that's all your brother will eat?  That hardly seems fair.  Take gi-jane's advice and talk to your parents about what kind of food you want to have in the house.  If they're catering to your brother's unhealthy habits, there's no reason they can't also cater to your healthy habits.  Try helping with the cooking so you can be sure that there's something for dinner that you want to eat.

also, i bet that some of those people know that healthy food is better. chances are they wish they had your willpower to lead a healthier lifestyle.