I hate talking about dieting. Just being 75 pounds overweight is embarrassing enough, thanks! But since I can’t seem to stick to a diet on my own, I decided to confide in my best friend. At first she was very supportive, but now she calls every day to ask if I’ve “cheated” on my diet. It’s like she assumes I’m going to fail. Am I just being overly sensitive?
It’s natural to feel sensitive, but I encourage you to keep relying on your friend. A recent study found that 70 percent of women who lost weight and kept it off had turned to loved ones for support. However, since it sounds like your friend doesn’t realize the effect she’s having on you, be up-front with her. Say something like “I’m so glad I have a friend like you to help me reach my goal. But I’ve noticed I respond better to praise, so it would be even more inspirational to me if you focused on my successes rather than my slip-ups.”
