I’ve come almost full circle on my opinion of needing social support for weight loss.
Personally I don’t want (or like) social support.
Because my diet is my business.
It creeps me out that people feel the need to discuss how I eat or what I eat.
One of the things I like the most about Eat Stop Eat is that it can be private.
I eat when I want, and I don’t eat when it fits my schedule.
This is what works for me…and it works really well.
(I’ve been at my ‘goal weight’ for almost 5 years straight.)
Now, for some people, social support is important
Having all of your friends and family, and coworkers and Facebook friends and twitter buddies knowing that you are trying lose weight… some people may need this.
But for others, (like me)… I enjoy knowing what works for me, and while I enjoy the support, I have found that support and lecturing are pretty close cousins.
I accept the fact that some people may think that sugar is poison and that they choose to live their lives eating almost zero sugar or refined carbohydrates…
I accept that fact that some people may be vegetarian, or vegan…
I accept the fact that some people think fruits and vegetables are actually bad for you, while others eat almost ONLY fruit…
I accept the fact that some people out there are essentially Carnivores.
I’m cool with it.
But, I want to live life and lose weight while eating brownies occasionally, drinking scotch occasionally, and eating without hesitation. I also want to fast without needing to explain myself.
This is what I want.
True social supports is accepting this, not lecturing on it.
So here’s my take…
True social support is just that…support, and this is extremely rare…since ‘social support’ seems to have become…’I support you but you’re doing it wrong’…
And sometimes the best support comes from having the ability to keep things to yourself that you want kept private.
After all, a really good diet plan shouldn’t require you to have to broadcast it to the world in order for it to be effective.
BP
PS- What’s your take? Do you like social support or do you prefer to keep your diet private?
