Understanding the Saboteur
It's hard to accept that someone you care about may be a roadblock along your weight-loss journey. But it's best to be prepared for the frustrating interference of loved ones who don't approve of -- or understand -- your desire to lose weight. Most of us will at some point have someone in our lives who will try to sabotage weight-loss efforts, whether they do so knowingly or unknowingly. Usually these people have ulterior motives for hoping you stay overweight. Often it boils down to plain, old-fashioned insecurity.If you encounter this situation, you'll probably find yourself grasping for the reasons why. One common cause is a sense of alienation: Friends who also have a weight problem may think you will "leave them behind" if you lose your excess pounds.
For example, your girlfriend may think your new lifestyle will put an end to your regular weekend food court tour. In this instance, you could tell her you will enjoy your trip to the mall together, but you want to spend it window shopping instead. Changing your lifestyle doesn't mean losing your time together ... but you just want to spend it burning calories instead of racking them up!
New Priorities
Anyone who truly loves you wants what's best for you. Once you've reached an unhealthy weight, and you finally feel ready to change, losing those excess pounds safely and steadily should become priority number one for everyone involved. Eventually most of the people on the sidelines will realize what you're doing is a good thing ... even if it does seem to throw off your social life or "normal" family activities. Do your best to get those around you to trade in their old habits for healthier ones with you so you can still be together (And everyone else will benefit from those healthier habits, too!).Accepting the Inevitable
Believe it or not, losing weight can actually cause friendships to end. Some folks may never come around to accepting your new way of life. They may never understand that you are leaving a defective lifestyle behind for a better future and that doesn't have to mean leaving them behind, too. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, things fall apart. And you probably won't understand the reason why they have, even if you can get the saboteur to admit to a motivation.Losing weight is hard enough in and of itself; you don't need anyone in your life making it even more difficult. If someone like this is hampering your weight-loss success, you must make your own well-being first priority. As difficult as it sounds, you may find your only choice is to distance yourself from this person for the time being.
