24. Stay strong. Be strong.
Once you move toward a healthy lifestyle, you will find the outside negative influences can be strong. If you are successful, you might find that *friends and relatives might not be supportive because they lead unhealthy lifestyles. This can be comical because they will rationalize their lifestyle choices. This is their problem, not yours. Be sure to identify community support.
Stay Strong. Be Strong. Be Respectful.
* Here's a recent example. I went out to dinner with a friend who I have known for over twenty-five years. I ordered my favorite dish on the menu - a garlic, blue-cheese hummus dip with carrots, celery, and pita bread. To me, this is delicious and it provides the feeling of satiety.
My friend, who is about forty pounds over-weight and on cholesterol medication, made fun of my menu choice. He, on the other hand, ordered a huge roast-beef sandwich with an enormous side order of French fries.
Reactions: While my friend was ridiculing my menu choice, I said nothing. I'm accustomed to overweight and unhealthy people doing this to me. However, here's what I was thinking: I'm perfectly healthy and on no meds. You, on the other hand, are on meds and complain of aches and pains. I have no aches and pains. Also: I never condemn people for what they eat. Everyone is entitled to their own food and lifestyle choices.
Moral of the story: Stay strong, be strong!
My friend, who is about forty pounds over-weight and on cholesterol medication, made fun of my menu choice. He, on the other hand, ordered a huge roast-beef sandwich with an enormous side order of French fries.
Reactions: While my friend was ridiculing my menu choice, I said nothing. I'm accustomed to overweight and unhealthy people doing this to me. However, here's what I was thinking: I'm perfectly healthy and on no meds. You, on the other hand, are on meds and complain of aches and pains. I have no aches and pains. Also: I never condemn people for what they eat. Everyone is entitled to their own food and lifestyle choices.
Moral of the story: Stay strong, be strong!