I don't even bring up the subject of being on a diet... I hate the comments like... but it's Xmas, or you can walk an extra mile tomorrow, or it's the weekend, and on and on.   So now when refusing sweats and fatty foods, I just make up an excuse that I've developed some serious health issues that are diet related.   

Thanks for the advice about being more social in the gym/ locker room... I rarely talk to anyone, enjoying the quiet but now I think I might be coming off as stuck up.    

I don't like mentioning my diet either, because people say, "oh you're still so small" or "but you just had a baby!" It is true that my daughter is only five months old, but I lost all of the weight. I was back at my prebaby weight of 125 by the time she was 2 weeks old. Then, by the time she was 3 months old, boom! I gained 20 pounds. I'm just not comfortable gaining that much weight. And my husband is constantly bombarding me with "have you exercises today?" He doesnt understand that between our two kids, the dishes, the laundry, and the house cleaning that it's hard to find time. It's very difficult to resist the pull of "me time" whenever both kids are sleeping (which is rare). Or he says "have you weighed today? Have you gained those four pounds back?" It's really discouraging. So thank you for the information on how to be my own supporter.

Sorry, I had to vent. Lol

SmLarson, I totally understand your aversion to even say something to family members about your diet... knowing how hard headed they seem, you've learned a way to just make them go away!  Sad that a health issue would be the only way they learn to understand...

AhstonGale - woo - my husband is not unlike yours some days, and while he thinks he is being supportive, some days, it just feels like a harsh thing to say in the midst of all that's going on.  Either way - congrats on losing the weight, and because you know you can, allow yourself time to heal emotionally by taking that metime, and soon you'll be right back on track.  

 

How about taking yourself away from the word "diet" entirely? It carries so many negative connotations! Of course, when you tell others that you're on a "diet," they instantaneously see images of the undead.  

 

Sometimes one of the ways to lose weight is not tell anyone and see if they notice the difference.   Try and lose without letting even family know.   If it is one thing I learned is that almost anyone can be successful at losing weight and keeping it off.  

Thank you, carolyn_r. That was very encouraging. :) 

Husbands that speak that way to their wives are not cool.

I would never say such things to my wife.

She is 4' 11" and has lost over 50 pounds.  Now she does Zumba and works out like a mad woman at the YMCA, but is still has a ways to go.  (Her words not mine.)

I am very proud of her!

Original Post by: deadsmiley Husbands that speak that way to their wives are not cool. -------------

Ditto and thanks.  there is a difference between support and nagging.

Thanks so much for this article.

I was going strong and doing great for about two months with no support from my family... then the holidays came around and things got a hundred times harder. NOTHING except the water and old carrots is healthy in that refrigerator, and it's tough!

I am not a "blogger" but keeping a journal helps me to figure out what is working for me (and what isn't).

I love being able to use calorie count as a personal coach - it's really nice being able to use your own already extant feelings and obligations to push yourself forward :3

Unfortunately in reality, I do have a problem with my father calling me anorexic since I'm only aiming to lose a few pounds simply so my abs show after years of working out - and that is hard to ignore. I actually listened to him once and ended up putting on three kilos - not fun at all D: Since I come from a family who considers a 1200 calorie meal 'dinner', you can see why they're concerned. But I think they're beginning to understand!

Carolyn_r, This was one of the most encouraging articles I have read in a long time...it was very timely, and it spoke to me. Ive done or attempted most of the items that you speak of (I even started a group here on Calorie Count). It may sound like Im riding both sides of the fence on this, but the reality is, Ive let my friends know that I am on a quest for better health (for support) so if there are events, parties, trips that we normally partake together, that I know may be an uncontrolled environment, I decline...or bring my own healthy choices. Others in my life such as co workers or that cute neighbor...I say nothing...and wait to see when her vision will be stimulated enough to provoke a response.
still waiting...lol.

As for myself, Im only at 20 percent of my weight loss goal but the trick for me was realizing that weight loss was 75% eating habits and 25% working out. I pretty much removed the 3 'F's out of my eating world and have dropped 27 lbs since Oct. the three f's: Fast, Fried and Fattening. After years of several diet routunes from Cabbage soup to Atkins, years of Running, Aerobics, power lifting. Calorie counting is by far the best vehicle for gaining my health back...so marshall1974 words make sense to me. @ashtongale04: I just want to say before everyone jumps on the bad husband bandwagon: Communication is the key. Try talking to him...or better yet: show him what you are dealing with (yes, we are visual). We like to be the heros naturally so....empower him to support you...develop a plan together...and let him know: that type of talk doesn't warm the spirit. (that was my nice way to put it) 
Maybe you can turn that negative nagging into your biggest supporter.

i have been pretty successful using this site and i definately don't mention the word diet. people would give me a million reasons why i should not try like them. i'm now focusing on mainenance, fitness, and changing to more whole foods; i want to step outside the western diet... and my bf or roommate are definately not! so, i read blogs, check the cc e-mails, and just say, "i don't eat processed foods" when people start telling me, but it's potluck day at work (yeah, every day). i think it's so strange to them that they don't have any excuse to eat junk when it's framed that way.... really i don't care how they take it (i don't say it rudely however), as i'm sick of the cultural garbage they usually send my way. p.s. my phone isn't allowing me to capitalize.

Yeah the word diet has a negative connotation, but the truth is everyone should have a diet - or a set of foods that you stick to - the problem with alot of people is they don't have any control over what they eat, so they hear diet and it's OH NO don't say that word, that means I have to actually watch what I eat!  It's so crazy!  I'm glad you all are coping as much as can be expected with all the opposition.  As we all continue to eat healthy and exercise, we can stick to Star Trek's motto to live long and prosper!  So when people offer you terribly bad food... just throw up the Vulcan salute and pull out an organic peach and smile! :)

My lack of support comes in a different light for me. Over the spring I lost A LOT of weight, more than I wanted and now my family have become extremely concerned for my weight. I agree with them and ever since I've been upping weight and eating the right calories but my family hate that I still workout. I goal is HEALTHY weight gain but my mom just wants to stuff cookies down my throat (seriously) and my father asks me everyday what I ate and when I'm eating next. It hurts when everyone around you disapproves of your diet but I understand they're still worried from spring and might not entirely trust me but the proof is in the weight gain so I'm sticking to it. 

And about the "diet" word, its true it's been bashed so much and when anyone says they're on one people assume all we eat is celery carrots so next time someone gives you an odd look or goes on about your diet you can correct them and tell them how they're on a diet too. A diet is literally what you eat, everyone is on a diet whats different is the kind of diet that's all.

 

I"ve been through a lot, after the major weight lost I lost friends, trust from family and not to get overly personal but I was abandoned by my father, got dumped from a 3 year relationship, and was walked out on by a best friend. I feel for everyone who has or is going through hardships with their choice in lifestyle. It's important to never forget that no matter how alone you feel, no matter what there is always someone there for you. I love talking to others and encouraging/supporting their journey. 

So if anyone at all needs that extra nudge or a convo here and there about your goals I'm all ears =) good to everyone and keep going strong 

My lack of support comes in a different light for me. Over the spring I lost A LOT of weight, more than I wanted and now my family have become extremely concerned for my weight. I agree with them and ever since I've been upping weight and eating the right calories but my family hate that I still workout. I goal is HEALTHY weight gain but my mom just wants to stuff cookies down my throat (seriously) and my father asks me everyday what I ate and when I'm eating next. It hurts when everyone around you disapproves of your diet but I understand they're still worried from spring and might not entirely trust me but the proof is in the weight gain so I'm sticking to it. 

And about the "diet" word, its true it's been bashed so much and when anyone says they're on one people assume all we eat is celery carrots so next time someone gives you an odd look or goes on about your diet you can correct them and tell them how they're on a diet too. A diet is literally what you eat, everyone is on a diet whats different is the kind of diet that's all.

 

I"ve been through a lot, after the major weight lost I lost friends, trust from family and not to get overly personal but I was abandoned by my father, got dumped from a 3 year relationship, and was walked out on by a best friend. I feel for everyone who has or is going through hardships with their choice in lifestyle. It's important to never forget that no matter how alone you feel, no matter what there is always someone there for you. I love talking to others and encouraging/supporting their journey. 

So if anyone at all needs that extra nudge or a convo here and there about your goals I'm all ears =) good to everyone and keep going strong 

We all just need to continue encouraging ourselves if no one else does. 

  You see I do not get why people will stop being ones friend when they lose weight.  True friends will be there for you no matter what.  I too lost 93-95lbs.  Last January I weighed 250 and now weigh 156.  This site had me to get down to 158 which i have met.  People are telling me too that I am way too skinny but in actuallity I am normal weight for 5'10"  I still get tired even though I exercise 3-4 days a week but for most part feel good.  i still eat junk food at times but in smaller portions.   One day at a time.  One small change at a time.  Eat 5-6 times a day helped me.  For breakfast, lunch and dinner eat more but for meals in between eat less.   My dream on here is to share my success story and to inspire others out there.  You all hang in there.  Brad

Original Post by: marshall1974

Sometimes one of the ways to lose weight is not tell anyone and see if they notice the difference.   Try and lose without letting even family know.   If it is one thing I learned is that almost anyone can be successful at losing weight and keeping it off.  

This is what i am currently doing.  Today I was so tempted to text my sister and tell her I've lost 5lbs. since Christmas by using CalorieCount.com, but I decided I'd rather her ask me if I've lost weight.

I so agree with all of this article.  The other day my inlaws kept offering me cinnamon sticks from pizza hut and asked me why I wasn't eating the chips and salsa at the Mexican food restraunt we were at.  It was hard to tell them why, but I kept it short and simple by saying "I really enjoy that food, but I'm trying not to eat it right now.  Thank you though."

I have found that is not so much what we eat but how much of it we do eat.  If you watch your calorie intake or have a ball park figure as to how much calories you eat you will lose weight successfully.  However if you got a condition such as thyroid then you may not lose weight hardly.   This may seem strange but eating 5 to 6 times a day does work.  Your metabolism must be jump started evey 2-3 hours.  If you are active then on those days eat a few hundred more calories.  I like this site.  Just wondering when my success story will get posted.