I know that personally I can be easily influenced by friends. Whether it’s one friend or ten, I struggle with making healthy choices and sticking to my lifestyle. If it’s eating carbs with them or drinking beer, I always find an excuse to make bad choices when I’m with them.
So here’s the thing, a friend of mine is coming down from Toronto, I haven’t seen her in over a year and she’s staying with me for a few days. You might be thinking, DAYS?? HOW IS SHE GOING TO STICK TO HER NEW LIFESTYLE FOR DAYS??? WHAT’S THE PLAN??!! Well that’s exactly it, there is a plan! I know that I love eating pizza and snacking when I’m with my friends so guess what? I’m making low carb snacks and pizza so that when we are watching movies or talking or whatever I will always have something I can fall back on. It’s good to make a plan, prepare everything in every way you can to set yourself up for success with this plan and then, most important, stick to the plan. And something else, and I know this part is hard because I’m scared of it just as much as anyone else, but here it is; I’m going to tell my friend about my new lifestyle. I am always afraid of telling people, even friends, of being on an emotionally focussed diet. You know, if I had an allergy I would have to say it. And I do not handle carbohydrates well. I am not allergic, I have an intolerance. So this is different, this isn’t something I’m doing for a week or two and then off, this is forever. So when she comes to stay I am going to be open with her, “My friend, I am not eating carbohydrates. I have set up some fun meals we can have together and if you don’t like these then we can by all means go to the store and get stuff you like. Unfortunately, I just can’t eat it.” I know my friend, she isn’t going to be upset or anything, in fact, I believe when I tell her she is going to be extremely supportive. But I know other friends that I have, if I told them this, they wouldn’t understand and may even become defensive or offended at the thought that in some way I am changing, or they may think that I am trying to change them in someway. But luckily with the girl that is visiting me, I know she will be open minded at trying cauliflower pizza crust. You would be surprised at how upset just suggesting a cauliflower crust can be for some. Anytime when a person tries to change it is important just to remember that a natural response would be “change back”. And that is okay. Don’t get offended, don’t get upset, as long as you recognize that everyone in their own mind has a definition of what they consider to be “normal” and anytime when it is that you are not being “mainstream” you are going against the grain of society and that means you have to be willing to defend it, reminds Dr. Laurie. So for the first time I will be ready to defend my new lifestyle choice.
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Emerald HillOn the quest to lose 50 pounds in a year. Can she do it? Only time will tell....with the help of this blog. Archives
October 2019
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