• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

No, these family members and friends aren't just mean people. In fact, they probably aren't even conscious of what they're saying or doing. If they are, perhaps it's because they feel insecure or because they don't want to make changes themselves. Often taking care of your health puts a mirror up to those around you. You can't help this; it's a natural outcome of adopting healthier behaviors when others around you aren't.

To reduce your temptation to throw in the towel on your low-glycemic diet, you need to find ways of handling such situations. Remember: You can't change people; you can only change your own reactions.

Here are some tips for avoiding sabotaging situations:

Don't talk about your weight loss, diet, or exercise with naysayers. You may be so excited about all that's going on that you want to share it and let others know how well things are going for you. This is only a good idea with supportive people who want to hear your news. Don't bring diet stuff up unless your friends or family members ask you first. They may not be ready to make the same types of changes you are, so their reactions may not be favorable if you share your news when they can't handle hearing it.

Avoid making a big deal about your menu choices when eating out. There's no need to announce that you're looking for low-glycemic foods on the menu. If you do, the naysayers at the table may roll their eyes and say, "Oh, you're at a restaurant. Let it go for one meal." Find what you want to eat on the menu and keep it to yourself whether your choice is low-glycemic or low-calorie. Just say, "This sounds good." That way you won't risk getting thrown off track by peer pressure.

Tell your friends and family members when you feel like they're hassling you about your new changes. If comments they're making are upsetting you and possibly even hindering your weight-loss efforts, be upfront that you're bothered. Then let your friends and family know that you're truly happy with the changes you're making. If that's what matters to them, they should stop hassling you.

Be honest with your spouse. If your spouse continues to bring home tempting foods, be honest. Let him or her know these particular foods are a little too tempting for you and find some treats you can both agree on so your spouse doesn't feel deprived and you can stay on track.

Creating your own support group

If you can't find the right friends or family members, try making some new friends by putting together your own support group that meets on a regular basis.

Start by looking around at work or any place where you may have met someone who's also working toward specific health goals and following a low-glycemic diet. Even if you find only one person, that individual may know someone else who knows another person. Before you know it, you have a small support group! Plan to meet once a week for a walk to discuss your latest wins and challenges while squeezing in a little exercise at the same time.

Getting support from peers who are going through similar experiences is so valuable and very different than the type of support you can get from others who aren't on the same path.

Surfing the Web for Information, Motivation, and Support

Thanks to the Internet, a wealth of peer and professional support is virtually available at your fingertips. Of course, there's some bad information out there too, and sometimes negative people hop on group forums and ruin the supportive vibe. The sections that follow describe some great places to find advice and support on the Internet, as well as some issues to beware of as you surf the Web.

Exploring educational Web sites

Some people don't need personal interaction to get that extra motivation they're looking for. All they really need is information, which is when educational Web sites prove quite helpful. These sites provide information and often anecdotal stories from people just like you. You can often find quick answers to questions or just read articles to help you get inspired again.

There's