Hi Judy, - Thanks for your words about people's comments re: weight loss. In general, I'd prefer not to have comments although I understand that many people enjoy having comments. If someone makes the occasional comment, then I shrug it off. This neighbor in particular had the habit of looking me up and down each and every time I saw her. If I was down a few pounds in her opinion, she asked if I had been exercising. If I was up a few pounds in her opinion, she stated that I hadn't been going to the gym. I find such scrutiny maddening. Must I be reduced (pun intended) to the aesthetic value of my body? Funny you asked if I had changed my hair. When I have changed my hair, this same neighbor has made comments like, 'this style is more flattering. Your hair looks less thin.' In my opinion, these comments are not compliments but instead insults. Everyone occasionally puts his/her foot in his/her mouth, but these statements were frequent and intentional.

People tell me that I am approachable (strangers ask me for directions or stop to chat frequently). Unfortunately, my approachability means that people overstep my boundaries. An example: I am polite to the garage attendants when I park my car. One day, the valet asked me how my weight was. 'Excuse me?' I said. 'You're going to the gym aren't you? How is your weight coming along?' Aargh.

Question for all of you - in what ways can people be supportive about your weight loss? In what ways have people been destructive or sabotaging?

Lauren, I haven't forgotten about that Quick Start program I may not have time to type it until Wednesday. Happy Anniversary to you!

Best of luck this week everyone!

Today is a busy day, guys. I'll switch to a new thread later tonight or tomorrow. Things are about the same. I'll post a longer post when I switch threads. :)

Judy, congrats on the upcoming new grandbaby! :) That's great news.

Swan, even the garage attendant????? Good heavens!! I cannot imagine.

Good questions re: support vs. sabotage. These are emotional issues. What looks like support from one person might not look like that from another, at least for me. For example, I don't want my dad to comment on my weight at all. Too much bad water under that bridge. But I'm pleased when DH tells me how wonderful I'm looking, or how "tiny" (yes, he actually says that, amazingly). I have some friends from whom I enjoy hearing positive comments on occasion. I think the key here is "on occasion." If they said something each and every time I saw them, that would be weird and probably not supportive. Fortunately, they don't.

I also find it supportive when DH and friends applaud my attempts to exercise -- and don't comment on how I should be doing more. I find it supportive when DH asks me if I'd like to go for a walk, or when he checks with me about whether having a certain food item in the house would be too much of a temptation. (If I say yes, then he's fine with that and doesn't bring it in.) I find it supportive when DH asks what he needs to do to support me.

As for sabotage ... I am extremely fortunate that I don't have saboteurs in my life right now. That's probably not an accident, come to think of it. :) I have no patience with such behavior. I have had people behave in thoughtless ways, but I wouldn't necessarily equate that with sabotage.

Interesting questions.

I had a nice weekend. Went to our favorite restaurant Saturday, and although I ate lightly, the points were high. But it was worth it. On Sunday we built a fire in our outdoor fireplace on the deck and sippled single-malt scotch (our anniversary present to each other) and had a long, hard talk that was probably overdue. The weather was gorgeous -- high 70s, breezy, sunny. Couldn't have been nicer.

TOM has hit with a vengeance. I don't expect to see much progress on the scale tomorrow, but that's OK. Next week should be better. Although this coming weekend I'll be at a conference for three days, and eating out is always such a challenge. I'd better start planning.

Onward and downward,

Lauren

In case you haven't noticed already, I started a new thread today. See you all there! Keep moving. :dance: