Fat Friends

In terms of office (and other acquaintances), since they are not good friends, when someone makes a comment and you don't want to engage in (for example, a negative comment about themselves), just smile (as your answer). What they are doing is more about themselves than about you. But misery loves company, and you don't want to join that group.

In terms of your good friends, that's harder, and it really depends on how close you are to them. In terms of them commenting on how good you look, or how good you are, there are several things you can do.

1) thank them for the compliment and move on to another topic quickly
2) say "it's not that I'm being good, but I find that I crave salads more often now. I still have a hamberger now and then, but I don't like the way I feel afterwards...." It doesn't matter if this is true or not, you're changing the essence of the conversation from how good/bad comparison between the two of you to what you and she loves to eat and why. It will make the conversation more positive, or she'll change the topic.
3) say "you know, I felt that way when I first started this process (doesn't matter if it's true or not) but if you really want to make changes because I think I'm sensing that in what you just said, I can tell you what has worked for me and a lot of people I know (i.e. MFP community). She's either really interested or not. In either case, you either help her with some suggestions, or she'll change the topic.
4) (this is under special quiet one-on-one time in the most gentle and diplomatic way you can muster) just let your friend know that you're trying really hard, and want her support in the choices that you have made. You can say something like, I feel a little uncomfortable when I feel like my size is the topic of conversation more than I would like... yes, thank them for the compliment, etc. You know the drill, only use the word me or I, and never the word "you."

Here's one more: and it can go on an extension of #3. If your friends really wants to be negative about her eating habits (go on and on about it) then you can say in the most positive way, "look, I know you, I know that if you put your mind to it, you can do it!!! YOu can do it!!! You can do it!!!" But, if you really want that hamberger, then hell, you better enjoy it girl. What's the point if you're not going to lover every bit of that juicy, yummy .... Come on, let's have a good time.

Generally, they are probably looking for some kind of validation from you.

Hey, i don't really have anything profound to say here, I just want to let you know you're not alone in this. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "lifestyle change" I have found that fitness has really become a big part of my life, and people who do not have a similar lifestyle (either b/c they are fat and are not motivated enough to slim down... or they are naturally slim and don't understand that most of us have to work pretty hard just to maintain a "healthy" figure) just do not understand. they thin you spend too much time at the gym or are too worried about what you eat.. I think of it as sortof this excess baggage that you come with, that if you don't have it you just don't get it. Like having kids or something. you just don't understand the lifestyle/priority change until you experience it for yourself.

Honestly, I have no good advice. I don't want to tell you to give up your friends, but this might be a good opportunity to make some new friends too.. talk to people at the gym who are working as hard as you are... it will give you some positive reinforcement, and possibly help you have some non-eating, more healthy social activities, to counter-balance the food-and-booze fests you have to sit through w/ your "fat" friends.. good luck, and keep up the good work! it's a big testament to you that you can break the unhealthy cycle with all that tempation around you!