I'm sure everyone has had situations like this when you first started dieting or changing your eating habits...
I had a tux fitting this weekend for a wedding I'll be in at the end of September. That was of course fun because I essentially have to announce my weight and pants size to the people at the rental place, as well as everyone else in the wedding party. Not cool.
Anyhow, after the tux fitting, the entire group went out for lunch at a bar. We all sit down and due to the seating arrangement I'm the last person to order. Which the exception of the grooms father, everyone orders beers or mixed drinks. I order unsweetened Iced Tea.
"What? You're not drinking?"
"No, don't feel like it, plus I'm on a diet or sorts."
"Are you sure? I'm sure one beer won't hurt."
"No, I'm good, thanks"
"Are you sure?"
So everyone orders their drinks, and someone orders a plate of hot wings and nachos for the table.
A few minutes later these items arrive, and being that I'm sitting in the middle of the table, are placed directly in front of me. Not cool.
Now, it’s time to order our food. Burger...Pasta...Cheese Steak...Burger...Bowl of Whale Fat....Pig Grease...Jar of Mayo....then it's my turn.
I order the healthy "wrap" and replace the side of fries that comes with it with salad instead.
More strange looks from everyone.
When the meals come out my wrap is all alone on a plate because my salad came out earlier. Admittedly, it did look kind of lonely and lame.
"Brian, have some of my fries."
"No, thanks"
"No really, go ahead, I don’t mind"
"No thanks I'm good"
"Are you sure?"
*sigh. I'm getting annoyed now. People don't seem to understand how hard it is to begin with, let alone that fact they need to keep asking me if I'm sure. I told them I'm dieting; I told them I'm trying to eat better. Why would I not be sure? Why would I be second guessing if I want a Guinness or a French fry? Why would they further try to persuade me to eat more things which are obviously counter intuitive to what I just told them I'm trying to do?
So I just smile, and continue to say "No, thanks" until they get the point. Eventually they do, but the process is comparable to training someone with no legs how to cross country ski.
As it turns out my healthy weekend plan went pretty well, although I didn’t get to do any type of cardio that I had planned on. I tried to make up for it by pushing myself a little harder and longer this morning on the bike. I also did allow myself to have 2 small glasses of wine on Saturday night when my friends came over for dinner. Overall though I’m happy with things. I know I can't build a pyramid in a day so I'm just trying to take it one day at a time. I guess that is all I really have to say right now.
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7 comments:
Your story happens all the time to me. You would think you could just say no thanks one time and that you are trying to watch what you eat etc and they would be ok with that. It does seem like people are always trying to sabotage us. My favorite line from my mom is "well what can you eat??" as if I am some freak that can only eat one thing. I have tried to explain to her a 100 times that I am trying to eat more natural foods that are not heavily processed etc... not high in carbs etc.... but I can see her eyes just gloss over as she then proceeds to ask "can you eat this?" while holding a white bread hoggie roll or bag of sunchips (they have less fat ya know). BLAAAA
anyway I know exactly where your coming from. Hold strong and people will become accustomed to it over time.
Man, people are unbelievable. I mean yeah, I know. I have a guy I work with who's been asking me why I'm not eating my rice for the last 8 months.
It's weird, eating and drinking is really an ingrained part of every culture, and people like to feel that when you sit down and eat and drink together, it's sort of a bonding thing. So when someone breaks the mold, it throws them off. Makes them feel like you aren't part of the group, and sometimes it signals to them that what they're eating "isn't good enough for you". Ever try going vegetarian? Man, I did it for a few months and people are just downright dicks about it. They want to get into heated debates and you're just like "dude, let me do my thing".
Anyway, yeah. It gets better though. Don't tell people you're on a diet, because diets are temporary and that's not what you should be doing. Eventually people will just associate you as the "healthy guy" which is how most people see me now. It's definitely better than being "Johnny-on-a-diet". Plus if they think you're on a diet, they think you really want to go off it...
I agree with both of the above comments. Why is this so hard for people to get. I've actually been accused of being BORING for not wanting to partake in junk food eating. You'd think that people would want you/us to be healthier? Just keep it up. They will realize someday that this is not just a phase.
And not to be captain bringdown, but the sad fact is this:
People want you to fail.
That way, they can feel better about themselves.
Of course not everyone is like this, but that's what's so great about having this blog ring, we have a place where everyone is rooting for us to succeed.
Everything's already been said, but you're all exactly right. It's how the world is.
The most important part of this blog is that you overcame it all - including the peer pressure.
Take it from someone who has lost 100 pounds - those same people who gave you crap this week will be the same people coming to you for advice later on. Funny how that works.
Hey, did you want to get involved in the FAT Coalition August Weight Loss Challenge?
Go post here if you're interested. Just wanted to let you know.
http://icanseemytoes.blogspot.com/2007/07/august-challenge-sign-up.html
Sure!
Your link is broken though.
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