In my experience I think people try to force you to do things that they think you WILL do. It's a sick mind game and you shouldn't play into it. If someone offers me something I politely say no the first couple of times they ask. After that I cannot dignify their coaxing with a response. Ignore them entirely, as if their words got lost in the air somewhere. Believe me they will get the idea that you are serious. But if you keep whining "mmm no, i shouldn't really.... no no" then they know it's just a matter of time before you break down.

It's rather sadistic, but people seem to get enjoyment out of forcing others to do things.

You know, I had a frank talk with my dr...at 5'6", 37 years old and 260 pounds... I said, "I'm a minister and a pastor's wife, and people are constantly shoving pies and cakes and all kinds of stuff at us. I need to be able to say, "I WOULD LOVE TO, BUT THE DOCTOR SAYS I MUST NOT EAT THIS, not even a little taste, OR I WILL DIE." My dr. said, "you go right ahead and say that, that's fine, 'cause in all likelyhood, if you don't succeed at losing weight, you will."

Later, I saw my diagnosis sheet. She had written "Morbid Obesity."

That really hit home...

Now I just tell all those nice church ladies, "I'd love nothing more than to eat that pie...but I can't. Doctor's orders!" And since most of them have watched their husbands die because they wouldn't listen to their doctors...they really respect that.