Finding it hard to stay social while staying on track..

You're not the only one. I don't have a real solution except to look for new friends that share your new interests.

I have the same problem. I'm trying to even get my family to get more serious about their health, and to get out there to do things. I am fine going to the gym alone, and going through my eating changes alone, afterall, I'm the one who has to be accountable....but the having fun part, its harder to motivate people!

I had trouble with afterwork events for awhile. Now I am more practiced at sticking to my goals and my colleagues are more used to my habits and its no biggee. I did need to extend outside my comfort zone a little to gain companionship with more physical activities. I have someone I walk the dog with occasionally, though usually a solitary activity. I have organized bike rides and hikes with others. Now some of the people who preferred more food oriented activities are tagging along. The social readjustments take time too.

I was worried about going out with my friends last night as I knew they would all be drinking - I didn't want to drink a whole lot of cals so I drove. I had just as much fun as I would have tipsy, which I was really shocked at.

I have noticed that I hardly see anyone at the moment as I was to concentrate on losing weight - going out for dinner/coffee just seems like a step away from my goal. It is rather lonely!

I've got the same problem. I lived with two men. My husband and roommate do not like my choice of things sometimes. Especially since I'm the one cooking all the food. It is hard.

Yup. It's tough because enjoying food (particularly empty calorie food) is a part of our culture. I plan for nights out and eat accordingly durring the day to accommodate. We have a big group of families that we do stuff with at least once a month and it ALWAYS involves a lot of great food, and alcohol. I know these events can be managed in a healthy way; I just have to train myself to do it.

I've learned trick is being conscious about the food and still interact as if nothing has changed. It makes no difference to anyone but me if I only have 1 glass of wine vs the usual 3. It makes no difference to anyone but me if I bring a gorgeous salad and pile my plate up with mostly that and smaller portions of other nummy things and then STOP eating vs the usual 3-4 hr grazeing. Nobody is going to notice if I'm drinking water vs beer.

Plus, I'm finding that my friends are interested in doing more active things, and just looking for an excuse. I've dragged my firends out sledding, ice fishing and am planning a snow-shoing trip. Ya never know until you become the catalyst. If you are looking for more fun friends who do active things, look for local outdoor groups. They are always planning adventures and getting out in a healthy way.

Don't avoid your life, enrich it by incorporating healthier habits into it.

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I am the same way... I never hang out with my friends. I know I am not strong enough to say no to my usual eats. With time it will be easier and I hope they will understand. On the other hand getting a reward once in a while is needed.

Do you work out??? You will eventually make new friends at the gym. Maybe join a smaller class or group. Take a yoga class or spin class or whatever. If all your friends go out, you might have to cut the strings while you lose weight. Too much temptation is discouraging...ya know?

How bout this...every time your friends go out and you don't, set aside however much money you would have spent for a special treat for yourself...massage, mani/pedi, new item of clothing or shoes, etc.

I find it helps if you try to incorporate your friends into what YOU'RE doing, as opposed to going out with them or doing what they're doing. I've made it very clear to my friends that for the next several months I'm focusing on my fitness and health, so if they want to see me it will be to go for tea or coffee, to a movie (no snacks!), for a walk/run/class at the gym, or to get together and cook a healthy meal at home. They've all been very accomodating and I haven't found that I've had to be any less social than usual; I've just changed my choices. Because this is a lifestyle change for me, and not a diet, I don't want to alter my social life to the point where I'm stuck at home all the time or afraid to go out with people. Everything in moderation, and I just find I've been trying very, VERY hard to exercise as much willpower as possible.

It also helps that I put the spin of "not only am I trying to get back into shape, I'm trying to shape up my wallet and save money, so I don't have $$$ to blow on crappy restaurant food and empty calories"