Friends get a bad wrap for being deadly to diets - - I beg to differ.
Out of the large chunk of friends I've had in my adult life, I can maybe name two or three that have never struggled with their weight. And even those folks had their moments of self-loathing. I'm definitely surrounded by pals who sympathize with my body battle and don't try to downplay my need - - and want - - to change for the better.
That doesn't always mean they help me make the right decisions!
There is nothing we like more than chatting except chatting over some crazy delicious food or with a glass of wine in hand. Even my vegan friends aren't exempt from luring me with the promise of sugary treats, the cupcake fiends that they all are. And why shouldn't we enjoy the finer (and sweeter...and greasier...) things in life once in awhile?! This is New York City and the possibilities for quirky places with delicious offerings are endless.
Ok, I'll come down off my soapbox now.
I've been having a rough few weeks, even avoiding weighing myself and backsliding from my gung-ho gym attendance of a few weeks prior. I haven't gone completely off the deep end - - I'm still being really careful about what I eat and I do make it to the gym on the weekends, but I've lost a little confidence. This lack of confidence was only intensified when a heat wave struck the tri-state area this past weekend.
Oh no, not bathing suit season already!
As my nearest and dearest gathered in my backyard for an impromptu weekend of barbecuing, the familiar feeling of warm weather woe crept up on me. I'm a sucker for some flip-flops, but a bathing suit is another story. But by day two of the 85 degree heat massacre, I had thrown inhibition and my long jeans to the wind and was strutting my stuff in a knit skirt. Said skirt lead not one, not two, but three of my besties to quip that they saw a difference and I was definitely losing weight.
Even shushed me when I tried to downplay it.
My friends are never ones to remind me to order light or refrain from dessert. It's really hard for good friends to want to go "there" because A) they think you're beautiful regardless of what you weigh and B) it's a very hard topic to approach without hurting someone's feelings. But while they come along with me on my ride to "bad food decisions" town, a funny phenomenon happened after the rush of compliments.
I felt so good about my friends noticing a change that it re-energized me to fight the good fight. I immediately chose a healthier turkey burger on a wheat bun with light cheese over the other not-so-great options. Because I did that, my friends took my cue and used a little bit of restriction as well. No one felt guilty - - no one even noticed!
I'll take an order of good friends minus a side of flab any day, thanks very much!
