[Zaebal]

Stay strong! I learned the hard way not to share my eating plan with friends or family--most took it as a challenge to make me fail. There is now distance between those people and me as I know they do not have my best interest at heart, even unintentionally. First round was successful largely because I was almost completely alone for the first 3 weeks and no one was around to sabotage as in the past. Round 2, the masses descended, telling me one piece of cake won't hurt, don't deny yourself, it's all about portions, etc. That round completely failed--I hate to admit but I really need to feel supported by the people I support. Round 3 was fabulous! My college-aged daughter slammed someone who was insisting I partake of something off protocol or else I was "being rude." She said, "Please don't do that! My mom is on a restricted diet on the advice of her doctor and I know she appreciates her real friends supporting her to make sure's gonna be okay." Wow, that did the trick! Ever since, whenever I get flack, I just say, "Oh, I'd love a scoop of that cream-cheese-whipped-topping-Oreo-and-ice cream cake but I'm on a restricted diet at the moment." It's funny how the word RESTRICTED immediately overrides MY frivolous dietary decisions with the impression that a higher medical authority has made this decision and trumps everyone else. It takes the fight right out of the conversation.

[celddiskend]

Doesn't sound like someone I would want to be friends with anyway. I think she sounds nasty. When I was younger, I had a friend that every time I would go one a diet, would go through burger king or mcdonalds when we were out somewhere, then when she pulled up to the speaker would say, oh, I forgot, your on a diet aren't you? But, would then offer to pay. I think it's redicules when they get nasty about it. It's not hurting them in any way.

[kuklame]

I have to agree with you 100%, I'm glad to be single too! My 5 year old isn't a junk food lover and she is full vegetarian so it is easy to stay away from temptation.
HOWEVER....
I do have a friend that has been bitten by the green eyed monster so lately when i say oh im just going to stick to my diet ( she doesnt know im using hhcg) she has been making comments like " oh I bought myself these pants IN A SIZE LARGE" they have it in an extra large if you want to go back and get a pair".

Between us she and I wear the same size XL I just dress in comfortable clothes that fit not styles where my rolls can be counted

My first two rounds I had a "friend" just like this. She would always say stuff like "oh my mother bought me this cute shirt, but its too big for me, so you can have it" or if we were going out somewhere she'd be like "you can wear a pair of my jeans... if they fit you." when in reality we are actually the same size, she just wears clothes that are too small for her. So although she may have a smaller pair of jeans on, I look better in mine because they don't create the dreaded muffin top on me like they do on her

When I really started losing some weight and began to be truly smaller than her, she took it as a challenge to keep me fat. She was always putting me down for being on a "crazy" diet and "starving" myself. Also, she was constantly suggesting that we go out to eat at restaurants and go to the bar, even though I was up front and told her over and over I couldn't. I distanced myself from her because she was jealous that I was taking control of myself and losing weight, when she wasn't. I think in some way she was mad because she could no longer delude herself that she was better looking or prettier or skinnier than me. But it sure feels great when I occasionally run into her now and she's bigger than ever and I'm shrinking

[auctionlover]

Julie - you have handled yourself SO well. Good for you! I'd certainly say I agree with the other posters regarding your co-worker. Another thing might that she feels guilty about NOT doing something about her own weight & is secretly hoping you don't succeed as it will make her feel worse. I KNOW = that's awful, but I think we've all had people like that in our lives.

Just keep your eyes on the prize & keep going. I sort of giggled when you said you told the ladies you went out to lunch with that you had your food at the office & would eat later - I actually "toted" my food out to eat with others - cold grilled chicken to top lettuce. They all were fine & very supportive. I ordered water & coffee. AND while the rest ate dessert at the end of the meal, I pulled out my strawberries & munched along with them. LOL!

Good luck on your journey. Hang in there!

Sherli

[Soypopetype]

How wonderfully gracious you are! I am lucky, all my friends and neighbors know I am doing HCG and are supportive. Since I was always the fattest one, I guess they figure that me losing weight doesn't compete with them in any fashion.
Stick to your guns, and stay gracious! It's grace that allows people like us, to put up with people like them! LOL

[griddle]

My doctor (functional medicine, ob/gyn) suggested this protocol. I had to do a 40 day detox first (cut out everything: gluten, red meat, shelfish, dairy, citrus, strawberries...all inflammatory foods). After I completed that, she wanted me to do the hcg protocol. I did not go through her office to do it (it was very pricey that way), Ive done it on my own. Since my friends and family knew about the dr ordered detox (complete with labs every 2 months, I was having some thyroid junk), its been easier to just say I am on a detox. I feel a little decietful outlining it that way, but I truly dont want the flack, even from well meaning friends & family.
But, in reality, it is essentially a detox anyway!! I like the term "restricted diet" too.

[GenManagerS]

I haven't told people I'm doing this protocol, just that I'm trying to lose weight. Haven't lost much yet so I don't have people pushing me, but I had it when I quit smoking. Some people even thought it funny to blow smoke in my face. However, I realised they were threatened by my non-smoking (I did a 4-hour course and never touched a cigarette again) and by how easy it was for me to quit. I guess I was supposed to try to quit and then fail. I lost a few friends when I quit but I gained back a bit of my health. I just wish losing weight was as easy as quitting smoking!