I want to begin this post by saying that I have extraordinary people in my life. I realize that in this regard, both on a diet and a budget, I am very lucky. In order to be successful at either you must be surrounded by people who understand what you are doing, acknowledge the challenges involved and strive to help you through the long haul.
Understanding
You cannot expect your friends and loved ones to support you if they don't know what you are trying to do. If, like me, you have been battling your weight for years or totally ignoring your budget, you have to let people know you are now serious about curbing both. Getting mad at a friend for suggesting an expensive restaurant with lots of bad options is not going to help, make your needs known to those you see regularly.
Challenges
This is your battle. You cannot expect those around you to change because you have to. You must learn to adapt to group settings or remove yourself temporarily from situations in which you fail. The weekly Friday night drink fest after work leaving you poor and bloated? Try to go once a month instead of every week.
Duration
This is not going to resolve itself in a couple of weeks. You cannot go into self-imposed exile for the rest of your life. Let people know this is not a phase you are going through but a lifestyle change and if they want to be part of your life they will understand and accept your new parameters.
This does not mean you have to where a sign saying "I'm on a diet and a budget, please do not tempt me." You do not have to introduce yourself to everyone you meet with those words, but the people that are part of your life on a regular basis should be in the know and should want to help you. If they do not want to help.... well that is tomorrow's post....
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