Why is it that whenever we decide to start a new diet or fitness plan we hoard it like a dirty little secret? Are we afraid that if we let the cat out of the bag our friends will comment or tease? Worse, maybe your friends will sabotage you if you seem to change before their eyes and start skipping the weekly pizza binge or the trips to Starbuck’s.
So in order to keep your diet plans from being unintentionally sabotaged, it’s important that they understand how important it is to you. You can circumvent potential sabotage because you make it clear to them that you are serious about losing the weight and you are equally serious about needing their help.
You can tell them you can’t do it alone and that you need their help to lose the weight for your health. If they want to join you, well you’re all for that, but you don’t need them to change – you just need their support.
You can tell them that you would appreciate it if they didn’t eat the really tempting foods around you and if they do, well, please don’t encourage you to eat them too,
You can ask them to help you avoid your danger zones whether it’s a favored restaurant or an open buffet style restaurant.
You can tell them that you would like them to join you in exercising whether it is your evening walks or going for a ride on a bicycle together.
You can tell them that you would love it if they would ask you how you are doing now and again. You don’t need them to police you, but if they can take an interest and let you demonstrate how well you are doing – you would enjoy being able to share the information with them.
More often than not, our friends do want to help us but they do not always know how to help us. They don’t always know what to do or what to say. You can help them help you by clarifying it for them. Let your friends help you and help them the same way. If your friends are dieting or working on their weight loss – see if you can do any or all of the above for them as well.
You might also look into finding a diet buddy.