Peer Pressure

Peer pressure. It sounds like something that we talk to kids and teenagers about. However, I've come to realise it is prevalent at all ages. I am 100% motivated to change my ways and I know it is possible if I set myself up in a routine and that has been going well to date. It is quite easy when you haven't been socialising. Now, I am starting to get invited to upcoming parties, holidays and events. These are occasions where I know people won't appreciate my journey and will try and sabotage me. Perhaps not with intent, but sabotage nonetheless.

If I go to a party and I'm not drinking, I will get questioned and hassled about it all night long. I will even get called boring. If I go on holidays, where it is not only difficult to eat healthy because of limited options, I will also have my friends encouraging me to eat chips, chocolate and anything else that I shouldn't be eating.

I am fortunate that I am strong, but I am not invincible; at times this pressure has got me down and I have succumbed. I know that it is popular belief that people who do this are negative and not who you should be around. But these are also my friends and family so I just can't shut them out. They may not have malicious intent, or realise how hard this journey is. It's not always their fault.

This is something that we will all come across in our journeys whether it be at a work morning tea, out to dinner with friends, parties, holidays or anything that involves food or alcohol. We have to stay strong, and just reinforce our message - this is something that is important to us. We WILL stick to it and we will NOT be pressured. After all, it is our bodies, if we don't want to poison them, them no one else has the right to.

No one said this would be easy - but it will be worth it!

How do you deal with peer pressure when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet?