I have only skinny friends and they just don't get it

Does anyone else struggle with their weight but often feel unsupported by friends? Most of my friends are very thin (most are naturally very thin as well) and they do not struggle with their weight. They sometimes seem self-conscious, as most people probably are, but they get annoyed when I talk about weight loss and they are not very supportive.

I have other friends who are more supportive, but I do care deeply about a few of these girls who just don't want to hear about it. In fact, they criticize me for wanting to change myself saying that "you should love yourself the way you are." It's not about not loving yourself, I like who I am. That said, what's wrong with respecting myself enough to want to make a change to have a healthier life?

I'm a junior in college and overall have a happy social life-- It's really just a few friends (whom I do care about) who are just not supportive. Any advice for getting them to understand or to back off? Thanks!

The good news is that sometime in the next few years, most of them will be trying to lose their baby weight, they'll slow down and widen out and you'll already be the one that has learned to take care of yourself.

I have a mixture of friends but feel that neither fat or skinny friends support you. Most will give you compliments and turn around and try to get you to eat junk in a social setting. They'll say things like "Gosh, I would be starving if I were you", "Here have this piece of cake you can work it out later"...

I find that I get more support from folks on MFP in terms that I need it instead of the fake "Oh I am so happy you are losing weight but here have a plate full of bacon"

hello! (:

first of all considering its pretty clear some of the people mean alot to you, and you are really wanting their support. And i absolutely agree with you. Support and motivation is a TREMENDOUS part of losing weight, getting healthy and starting an active lifestyle. What i would suggest is simply sit don with them. One on one if you'd rather, and just explain to them how badly you want this and how determined yoy are to achieve that goal of a healthy lifestyle! (:

First and foremost you have to believe in yourself and support yourself, and if you are lucky you will have a couple of family members and or friends that have your back and support and encourage you. (I have an Aunt who has been a size 2 her entire life, and she keeps telling me if I would "stop eatting bread I wouldn't be so fat" .... gee thanks, I don't even eat bread that much! LOL) I just blow off her comments and other's that are negative and solely focus on those who do support and offer encouragement and understanding. Sometimes if you have those who aren't supportive you may have to "limit' your time around them until you get to a place where you aren't influenced by them....it happens, I have friends who drink and party and can't understand why if I do chose to drink it will be ONE not 10. What THEY choose to do is THEIR business, What I choose is MY Business and I am in control of what I do or don't do regardless of their actions or suggestions. This is your journey and you chose who to share it with, this is a great site to have in your corner!

I find that I tend to get obsessed when I am passionate about something. And right now I am passionate about losing weight and getting healthy. I tend to talk about it a lot and truthfully I know that people get tired of hearing it. You just have to turn to those that are supportive and want to help you in your struggles. Don't talk about it with those that are unsupported, just do what you have to do when you are around them to maintain your goals, and then talk with your friends that are supportive or those on MFP.

This is why you have MFP! Feel free to add me, I'm supportive!

I know what you mean. My mom has decided to try and change how she's eating too (after seeing my success) and it drives my dad bonkers. He hates hearing the words 'diet' and sees us weighing stuff and doesn't really get it. Granted, it doesn't matter what other people think. I would just avoid talking about dieting around them. It's easy to obsess and want to talk to them about it but the reality is they may feel like you're obsessing and they really don't find the topic fascinating because they're skinny.

Instead, invite them to go on walks with you to exercise or create healthy food and offer it. I bet they would enjoy doing fun stuff like hiking or biking. Those are the types of activities you could do and don't say "exercise" as that would be a turn off. It's "fun stuff" (with the side affect of exercise).

If you go out and order something healthy and someone makes a smart comment, I'd tell them that they are being inappropriate and that you're not dieting - call it eating healthy (appropriate portions) and/or a change of lifestyle. Basically, raise an eyebrow and tell them that they don't have to be so negative about your making a healthy lifestyle change which doesn't really affect their eating habits. Heck, order a menu with the calorie counts and go...hmm...that one has 3000 calories so I'll pass and act like you're not really talking to them - watch their eyebrows go up and you may have them asking you to tell them the calories for the meals they ordered.