Oh man, my diet is so much better when I live alone, too. I can subsist on rice and vegetables, but when someone else is around, I feel like I need to feed them something better.

Great post!

Great article and great points – I know what you mean. I am very picky about what I allow into my system as well.

Usually, when I turn people down I spin it around as a compliment to them – tell people how great it is they have a high tolerance for alcohol, say I have to get up early tomorrow and wish I could drink more like they could etc.

For food, I just tell people how great it looks and that maybe I’ll try some later . Indian families are notorious for telling you to eat more, especially desserts, so I have a lot of practice saying no to that.

Thanks for this post. I can really relate to your description of living with your boyfriend. When I first began living with my now husband he would serve giagantic portions to both of us. I was then of the mindset of “women should be treated equally to men. If he eats a kilo of food, then I should be able to also”. Stupid! I kept up with him and watched my weight go up in the process. 20 years later, he is still stick thin and I still struggle even though I now don’t even think about eating what he does.

My girlfriend and I are actually doing a diet together and it seems to help a lot. We keep each other in check when our cravings start to get to us.

Actually, I’m not sure if I would have lasted this long if I was living by myself.

Great tips at trying to hold back. I will definitely admit that I am usually the guilty party, persuading others to partake of as much food as possible. Sometimes its not good though.
I do however try to fast for 24 hours every now and then.
I have to write on a piece of paper that “I will not eat” and sign it. It’s like a personal pact. This has worked for me.

@colin- a cook eh?! Group dinners are soooo fun if you cook for everyone. Though a little nerve racking. Always hoping I don’t burn it.
@Sid- I like the compliment idea. Give em a compliment to get them off your back. I have heard that about india! Always saying you’re too thin..haha.
@Carmen- seriously it can be so frustrating. Men have the speediest metabolisms. But hey us ladies live longer
@Clayton- yes yes! If you two are on the same page it’s brilliant. Support is invaluable. Glad you guys see eye to eye. And I too don’t always have the will power. Hence why I like to power walk with a buddie. They keep me pumping that much harder. thanks for sharing.
@Mark- ahhh so your the one! I have never tried fasting. How is that going? Do you feel that it helps you detox and regroup? Signing a contract to yourself is a great idea.

Being on a raw food diet for more than 9 and a half months I perfectly know what peer pressure may be like. My wife is omnivorous and I am still a vegetarian (I ditched the raw food diet as I couldn’t do it while traveling). And I’m absolutely with you: know your body is the key. After I ditched raw food I put again all the weight I loss (that would be around 12 kilos) but now I started to exercise. It’s much better and it will stay like this for more, if I keep exercising.

That was a refreshing reading, thanks

I’m glad that you wrote this article. I was glad as I was reading it and then again as I read all the comments so I could know I’m not the only one to struggle with peer pressure. This is seriously one of the hardest things for me to deal with! I am also a plethora of nutritional info. I have no problem preparing all my healthy meals. I resist all temptation when I go grocery shopping. But if I’m out with friends and they’re all ordering cocktails and greasy food its seriously one of the hardest things for me to resist! Even after the fact when I feel all poopy, I knew I shouldn’t have had ANOTHER glass of wine or ordered dessert but at the time at the table it felt IMPOSSIBLE for me to say those two little letters N-O. You’re right though once you start practicing will power it becomes easier over time its just so hard walking the fine line between practicing will power and feeling deprived. I don’t know if you struggle with this is as well, but its a tight rope between health nut and feeling like “Ms. I’m not allowed to over indulge”. Tricky. Very Tricky.

@Dragos- yes i hear you on the challenges of traveling while trying to stick to a certain way of eating. Raw is great, but really difficult when you’re on the move. I have had a difficult time even sticking to vegetarianism.

Keep up the exercise! Diet is a massive part of weight management, but exercise if vital.

@Michelle- yes yes I hear you! It’s a tricky balance because you don’t want to feel deprived, but at the same time you can “indulge” without over indulging. Take samplings of the junk instead of a whole meal of it. It’s always a grey area…never black or white in life ever…haha.