unsupportive friend

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Hi everyone :)

So I've been doing mfp for nearly a month now and I've lost 15 lbs so far which I'm chuffed to bits about.

The problem is that my best friend is being really unsupportive. When I hit a stone (14lbs) I was so excited about it but when I told her she just snapped "well I can't see any difference" which really hurt. I feel like I look noticeably trimmer than 15 lbs ago and my boyfriend, sister and other friends are being really complimentary and supportive. But the person I thought was my best friend seems really negative about the whole thing.

When we hang out she tries to get me to have pizza and cheesecake and when I turn it down she acts like I'm starving myself. If we're hanging out together and I get out my phone or laptop to log something that I've eaten she rolls her eyes and tells me I'm being ridiculous.

She's very overweight herself but has always said that she doesn't mind it and that she's not "built to be thin". I think I understand that she's maybe envious but there are things in her life that I get jealous of, but I'd never try to sabotage them or behave bitterly towards her about them. When something goes well for her I'm happy about it but it seems like she can't bring herself to do the same for me.

It's really affecting my morale and I'm very upset that she can't be happy for me. Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing with friends or family members? I don't know how to talk to her about it without an argument or falling out ensuing.
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Replies

  • Flab2Fab27
    Flab2Fab27 Posts: 461 Member
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    If she's your best friend, why can't you tell her how you feel as opposed to a public forum?
  • Lauren8239
    Lauren8239 Posts: 1,039 Member
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    This has become so common I don't understand why people don't just ignore it. Why talk to her? Why will it be you that is the bad guy? Just carry on and ignore her attitude.
  • _KitKat_
    _KitKat_ Posts: 1,066 Member
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    If she's your best friend, why can't you tell her how you feel as opposed to a public forum?

    ↑↑↑ This and being your friend should be more than just hanging out and getting support from you. It sounds like she has her own insecurities and she is projecting them onto you. It may be hard but ignore her behavior the best you can and then either confront her or step back and look at the relationship you two have and see if it is worth continuing. Many times people have toxic people in their life (they need a wrap for this) and they need to let those relationships go.
  • Artionis
    Artionis Posts: 105 Member
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    How about being honest with your best friend? "BFF, I love you and I love our friendship. The reality is that I'm changing my lifestyle to be more healthy and to lose weight. I'm sad that you do that eye roll thing and that instead of cheering me forward you are negative."

    Then if she continues this behavior, rethink the friendship. The situation is somewhat analogous to a recovering alcoholic who should drop his drinking buddies who continue to create a drinking environment. She wants you to be her cheesecake and pizza friend, not her salad friend. If a falling out ensues, so be it.
  • Artionis
    Artionis Posts: 105 Member
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    This is just how women are, unfortunately.

    Oh, Sonic, Sonic, Sonic. This is how some human beings are, unfortunately.
  • jollyjoe321
    jollyjoe321 Posts: 529 Member
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    She's just jealous, she'll get over it.
  • klbaierwalter
    klbaierwalter Posts: 309 Member
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    It sounds like your friend is jealous that you have the will to change your life for the better and she's too self-conscious to put herself out there to change. For some people it's easier to tear someone else down instead of taking a long look in the mirror and admitting your own faults. I would just sit your friend down and explain that you are changing your life and getting healthy and that if she cannot support you, then maybe you need to take some time away from one another. Also make sure to mention that she is tearing you down and making you feel bad about the choices you have made and that's not right. Good luck! You don't need all that negativity in your life.
  • RLMsFitnessPal
    RLMsFitnessPal Posts: 81 Member
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    Personally, I'm not the least bit afraid to carry on with what I'm doing, and drop anyone who is not supportive. For some reason, the saying, "Misery loves company," comes to mind. I have enough problems keeping my own moods in check. I'm certainly not willing to let anyone drag me down.
  • Papa_Grande
    Papa_Grande Posts: 63 Member
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    True friendship is a rare thing.
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
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    You know exactly what's going on. You have 2 choices: Listen to her drivel and fall back into old habits to keep her company, or keep getting yourself healthy and ignore her remarks.

    You will encounter people all your life that may have their own issues or an agenda that doesn't match yours. Decide how you want your life to be and then make it happen. If she's truly a friend, talk to her and maybe she will come around. If not, there's not anything you can do to change her.

    Keep being awesome.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
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    This is just how women are, unfortunately.

    Oh, Sonic, Sonic, Sonic. This is how some human beings are, unfortunately.

    Nope, just women

    Edited to add that y'all are known to buy clothes/shoes just so other women can't have them :laugh:

    WTF

    err no not all of us do those things. The only women I'm jealous of are those who can bench, squat and deadlift more than me. And now way I'd sabotage them, I'd cheer them on then use their achievements as inspiration to make me work harder in training....
  • _KitKat_
    _KitKat_ Posts: 1,066 Member
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    This is just how women are, unfortunately.

    Oh, Sonic, Sonic, Sonic. This is how some human beings are, unfortunately.

    Nope, just women

    Edited to add that y'all are known to buy clothes/shoes just so other women can't have them :laugh:

    WTF

    err no not all of us do those things. The only women I'm jealous of are those who can bench, squat and deadlift more than me. And now way I'd sabotage them, I'd cheer them on then use their achievements as inspiration to make me work harder in training....


    ↑↑↑This↑↑↑


    and women with emerald green eyes....so beautiful, but pretty sure there is nothing I could do to sabotage that.....maybe chase them with colored contacts...hmmm:laugh:

    Also if these are the type of women around you, you really attract the wrong type.
  • alighterday
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    If the friendship means that much to you, dont even talk about the weight loss and healthy stuff with her. she is jealous and insecure so just be her friend in everything else. But keep doing what you are doing for yourself!! If she asks about then talk but just let it go so she can keep her little jealousies to herself.
  • KseRz
    KseRz Posts: 980 Member
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    This is just how women are, unfortunately.

    Oh, Sonic, Sonic, Sonic. This is how some human beings are, unfortunately.

    Nope, just women

    Edited to add that y'all are known to buy clothes/shoes just so other women can't have them :laugh:


    9658-13-massively-irritating-things-women-do-to-drive-men-crazy-13.jpg
  • jkal1979
    jkal1979 Posts: 1,896 Member
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    Just out of curiosity, how often do you bring up the subject of weight loss with her? Just a thought but maybe she is getting annoyed with hearing you talk about it.

    It could be other things too. It could be jealousy, her own insecurities coming out, worried that your weight loss would affect the friendship, or she thinks that by mentioning it that you are trying to give her hints that she should be losing with you. Whatever it may be the only way that you will know is by talking to her about it.
  • AnotherXFitGuy
    AnotherXFitGuy Posts: 58 Member
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    A lot of people these days really needs to read the definition of a "friend".

    Friend:
    1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
    2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter. (THIS)
    3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile.

    Friends don't keep friends down but lift them up. But, if you allow the behavior, you're accepting the friend.
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
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    Hi everyone :)

    So I've been doing mfp for nearly a month now and I've lost 15 lbs so far which I'm chuffed to bits about.

    The problem is that my best friend is being really unsupportive. When I hit a stone (14lbs) I was so excited about it but when I told her she just snapped "well I can't see any difference" which really hurt. I feel like I look noticeably trimmer than 15 lbs ago and my boyfriend, sister and other friends are being really complimentary and supportive. But the person I thought was my best friend seems really negative about the whole thing.

    When we hang out she tries to get me to have pizza and cheesecake and when I turn it down she acts like I'm starving myself. If we're hanging out together and I get out my phone or laptop to log something that I've eaten she rolls her eyes and tells me I'm being ridiculous.

    She's very overweight herself but has always said that she doesn't mind it and that she's not "built to be thin". I think I understand that she's maybe envious but there are things in her life that I get jealous of, but I'd never try to sabotage them or behave bitterly towards her about them. When something goes well for her I'm happy about it but it seems like she can't bring herself to do the same for me.

    It's really affecting my morale and I'm very upset that she can't be happy for me. Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing with friends or family members? I don't know how to talk to her about it without an argument or falling out ensuing.

    I understand this as I've been here myself. Honestly, she's just jealous, which doesn't make it ok, but you're going to need to make a choice - keep doing what you're doing and don't talk about it with her, or bring it up and possibly impact your friendship. My best friend lost a bunch of weight a few years ago. It was a very difficult point in my life and I was at my heaviest weight. She was so excited about her weight loss and I was truly excited for her. I supported her every step of the way. She then gained it back (she was seeing a nutritionist who had her eating 800 calories/day, so she gained every pound and then some when she started eating normally again). When I started losing weight, she told me that it was just water weight that I had lost. Then I mentioned my new pant size and she told me it was "vanity sizing." I remember at one point she seemed outright hostile to me for being "tiny" (as she put it) and told me I should eat pancakes (we were out for brunch). At that point I stopped mentioning it at all to her. It just wasn't worth it.

    Some people have trouble with weight and other peoples' weight. I know it's hard, but try to understand that her hostility and negativity towards you is actually a reflection of how she feels about herself.

    ETA: she still mentions my weight loss to me whenever we're out for a meal - her last comment to me was "I'd look like you too if I ate like that." I had ordered a salad with grilled chicken. She has ordered a giant bagel with a side of french fries. I told her that I "feel" better about myself eating this way (because I do) and left it at that. I try to divert the conversation whenever SHE brings it up.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
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    This is just how women are, unfortunately.

    Oh, Sonic, Sonic, Sonic. This is how some human beings are, unfortunately.

    Nope, just women

    Edited to add that y'all are known to buy clothes/shoes just so other women can't have them :laugh:


    9658-13-massively-irritating-things-women-do-to-drive-men-crazy-13.jpg

    tumblr_m7e6x8cDiy1qery84.jpg
  • SpiritBunny
    SpiritBunny Posts: 39 Member
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    I don't know if you have been sharing your journey if so a real friend would be supportive. I think her attitude sucks for someone that is suppose to be so close to you. That being said there are many who feel keeping it real is more honest regardless if it's hurtful because in her opinion it hasn't made much of a change. Many people (not just women) get upset when things change. many men freak out when there women start loosing weight because it's not something that they can hold onto or use as a reason why she won't be going anywhere. It is really easy to think that a 'friend' would be vile towards you because you are doing better and she does nothing for her own issues. I agree with others tho you should talk to her to see where she is coming from because she isn't much of a friend if she knows you are doing this to help you.
  • richx83
    richx83 Posts: 334 Member
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    i would imagine it goes beyond jealousy and more a case of you holding a mirror up and she does not like what she sees in herself. By you making the changes you are no longer being an enabler in her life "it doesn't matter if i am fat, she is too so I am okay"

    She obviously doesn't want to change right now so will be worried at some level about being the "fat friend".

    I say this from experience, my Dad lost weight and then my best friend started to lose weight as well which was leaving me a very odd one out. I managed to use it to my advantage though and took the attitude, if they can do it then I can too.

    Stay strong and keep on going, you may discover however as your body changes your mind does too and the friendships which you thought were strong end up not being as strong.