Is Someone Sabotaging Your Weight Loss?

As you use Lark DPP and focus on making healthy lifestyle choices to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. It may be important to be aware of what, or more specifically, who, is influencing you. Some people, such as those in your support network, can make it easier to lose weight, eat right, and exercise. 

Other people, as the Lark DPP check-in brought up, can just get in the way. Intentionally or not, some people may be sabotaging your healthy efforts.

Here are three common ways other people can set you back.

"Let's grab beers after work!"

It is tempting to just going with the flow and say yes to anyone's suggestions for fun, but caving into the social pressure can certainly sabotage your weight loss. You can surely bond with your coworkers without downing hundreds of calories from beer. And likely feel too poorly to get in a scheduled workout afterward. Similar sources of sabotage may be other parents who pressure you to get ice cream when the kids do, or friends who will only meet you for a restaurant meal. Being aware of these sources of sabotage allows you to say no! You can make the choice to order healthier (such as water instead of beer), or to suggest alternatives (such as meeting for a walk in the mall instead of for lunch).

"You're no fun anymore."

On the surface of it, ouch! But dig a little deeper, and, well, is that person's idea of fun really that you used to be a great buddy for eating ice cream? Anyone who thinks that you are no fun because you are focused on health is pulling you down. As you lose weight and enjoy better health, you can probably be more fun because you will have more energy and more interests!

"One bite will not hurt."

Beware the high-pressure mother, aunt, or other relative or friend who lays on the guilt with statements such as, "I made it just for you" or "I do not see why you will not eat my cooking anymore." The truth is that one bite can hurt if you are the type of person, like many people are, who has trouble stopping at a small bite. It is okay to politely but firmly refuse, offering an excuse such as that you are on a special diet or you are not able to eat that right now.

"I should not be so selfish." 

That is right. You can be sabotaging your own efforts if you do not make yourself a priority. This can happen if you skip morning workouts because you are staying up too late watching TV because your spouse wants to. Or if you eat burgers and fries with your children because that is what they want for dinner. 

For people who have spent years putting the needs of others first, putting themselves first can be a change that feels unnatural and even selfish, but it is not. Everyone deserves to be able to do what they need to to be as healthy as they can. Furthermore, from having more energy to preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. You can do better for others if you do well for yourself!