I'm sure you have all experienced this. Maybe I am a walking poster board for Weight Watchers, but I truly think this is the best "diet" out there.(When I say diet, I mean lifestyle change). However, the moment I mention to people that I'm on it(I do not hesitate whatsoever) I am usually proud and willing to help whoever wants to learn about it. This is my second go around (this time taking off baby weight) and I've already lost 60lbs. It teaches discipline, self control, good eating habits, recipe tricks and it just makes you feel more in control of yourself(for me at least) However, I am getting a little tired of the negative comments from family. Always wondering when I'm going to start eating "real food" and "taste this, it won't hurt". I think it gets old and I wish family especially would just realize, food will always be my downfall and without this control I am not able to conquer my battles. Does anyone else feel like they have to defend themselves and this program?

I know just how you feel. It's almost like people are more willing to accept an Atkins or a South Beach diet over a WW, even though this one is (IMO) much healthier. I haven't come up yet with my magic solution for not letting other people get me down - my dad drives me crazy sometimes - but I try to rely on the support from the other people at my meetings and knowing that we're all in it together.

yea, i have experienced that too. When I say I'm on WW people say it's great how much weight I've lost, but then go on to try & tempt me to eat such & such.. they don't understand how hard it is for ME to be 'good'!

I hate when people do that! ...my aunt was one of the worst to me in the past. I'd be trying really hard to stay on my diet...and she'd wave stuff in my face. When I was a kid, about 14, maybe 15...at Christmas my cousin who is two years older brought this really cute guy to meet the family. My aunt gave me my present and I opened it in front of everyone.... it was a size 3xL shirt. ...I wore a Large at the time. I thought I was going to die.

Some people will just never be accepting of you wanting to better yourself. Lately it's been my grandpa waving food in my face though. ...Has anyone found a good way to tell them to knock it off?

When people do that on my future mother/father in laws side, I just tell them this is a lifestyle and I'm happy with what I eat or I wouldn't waste points on it.
I think a lot of the reason is because they don;t have the willpower to stick to it and lose weight. They aren't overweight at all but my mother in law is always complaining about her weight she'd like to lose-I try to motivate her with my results and with my suggestions but until she's ready to do it herself I guess all you can do is ignore their comments because it's ultimately about them and their own issues.

I personally love the people that say that Weight Watchers is the only way to go, but they have never followed it.
I also have people in my family and at the office copying what they see me eating, but not following the diet. Then they tell me that it doesn't work!!! How hilarious is that? If I have a high points lunch at work, I might have salad at home. They might eat the same lunch, but them go home and have an even higher points supper. Of course it wouldn't work.
Is anyone else out there bombarded with requests from people who ask what you can and can't eat on WW? If I get asked that one more time... lol! My answer is always everything and everything. It depends on how you eat it.

I wanted to jump in and say that WW offers so much to its members. The recipes are all amazing and inspiring, My roomates GF is on WW and that really helps her keep track of things. I count calories. I find both are similar in that you have to manage your own diet, not rely on the restrictions of others like Atkins or SB. You don't have to fend of cravings for something because there's no reason why you can't fit a portion of chocolate or cheese or ice cream into your day. You just have to learn to eat proper portions and not overdo it.

All those other diets can't be a life change- they're just for losing weight. What do you do when you want to maintain your weight? WW makes that much more reasonable and much simpler, too.

friend2borrow: I'm sure people are jealous of you. I always feel many people are willing to complain but they never have any follow-through. I hate that, and that's why I never complained until I was ready to do something about it. When a chronic complainer gets started, just say "Well, you know what you need to do and it requires discipline." Surely they'll shush up after

mxgirl: you're lucky you still have a grandfather, remember that Why don't you just be direct with him? "No - I don't want that because it doesn't fit with eating plan. No - I indulge in other things. Do you want me to fail? Then please don't make me feel so uncomfortable." It's probably smooth over with a "Thanks, I love you."

I solve the problem of unwanted comments by not telling anyone I am dieting. Just mention that you are on a diet and the diet police come out in full force, making unwanted comments abd trying to force food on you.

That's great advice, but I'm the worst secret keeper! When I'm excited about something, I tell everyone! My life is a bit of an open book...

I tend to not tell people I'm dieting/trying to eat healthier too. It's so much easier that way. Unfortunately, now that my BF is doing this with me, he told his family first thing. Now his dad can't let it go!!
His first comment was, "Good. You both need to lose weight!" Since then, we've seen him twice when the whole family went out to dinner together. Both times he laughed that we were going off our diets and blowing it all. We try to explain that we eat out rarely, and that on WW you can eat any kind of food, as long as you eat in moderation and watch your portions. This doesn't seem to get through though.
He's one of those people who has always been very thin and can eat like crazy. I guess it's just a foreign concept to some people. So, I'm just trying to develop a thicker skin - not easy since I am very sensitive about comments on my weight, but I'm trying.
Good luck to you guys!

I'm sorry that you had this kind of reaction. I would like to say that I think that it's great that you and your bf are doing this together, and that having a buddy really helps! As long as you can support each other, you'll do just fine! Keep your head up, and remember that you can lose weight, but jerks stay the same!

Best wishes!

Good point, JennyC!
and yes, the buddy system is working great for us! I've been much more consistent than I've ever been in changing the way I eat.

DH and I are doing it together, it makes it so much easier. Best of luck to all of you.

The best thing is to shut them up with your success, just keep working your program and you'll show 'em.

First of all, Friend2, your baby is absolutely gorgeous! Too bad 60 pounds came with her.

Yes, I hate when people find out you are trying to lose weight. I, too, believe WW is not a diet, it's the way you are supposed to eat! I don't eat diet food, I eat regular food! I just know how much and in what combinations I need it now. Yes, I drink diet soda, but I always did that. I also now use sugar free/fat free chocolate pudding and skim milk, but that's not really what I consider "diet food." My mom suggested I cut down on my points from the very beginning because "I think WW makes you eat too much food." They just don't understand the "caveman" reflex.

And then they start saying, oh, you have to weigh your food and count points, I could never to do that! Well, after you've been doing this for a while, you won't need to weigh or count, you'll just know.

And once people know you are trying to lose, they take note of what your are eating all the time! They make remarks like "should you be eating that?" And, being heavy, I was always self-conscious when I went out to eat, never ordered desert because of what I thought people would think.

One year, my MIL, this tiny little woman, gave me six pairs of plus size D pantyhose for Christmas, when I was only a size B at the time! People can be so cruel when they are naturally thin. They think overweight people are just lazy, gluttonous pigs with no will power.

So, yes, we need to develop very thick skins! And that's why we have this board! So we know we are not alone.

Keli - You're exactly right. As long as we keep working and doing our best, that will definitely change people's minds.

Philly - I can't believe you MIL did that. Well, yeah. I can. I've seen and heard it all at this point! LOL
And I'm like you, I hardly ever ate anything bad in front of people because of what others would think.