Whether you realize it or not, you may eat differently in social settings than you do when you are alone. This is because people tend to eat more when they are with another person, or in a group, than when they are eating solo. And our dining partners can easily influence our food decisions. How many times has a friend convinced you to split a plate of French fries or order the dessert special?

No one likes to indulge alone, because the feelings of guilt diminish if you have a partner in crime. Although we aren’t kids anymore, peer pressure still exists for adults. But, if you have diet goals or health concerns, giving in to negative influence can have its consequences.

Beware of diet diversionists—the people who, whether intentionally or not, say things that could disrupt your weight management success. Motives vary. Some people are jealous of your success or believe that you are suffering from lack of food. Loved ones may be threatened that you will move on to “bigger and better”, once you are smaller. And others? They are just plain thoughtless.

You don’t need to become anti-social or relegate yourself to eating alone. Instead, foresee and recognize the various sabotaging comments that may come your way. Here are some common scenarios:

− “What’s wrong? You didn’t finish your food. Don’t you like it?”
− “You’re so thin now. You need to get some meat on those bones.”
− “We’re celebrating—one dessert won’t make a difference.”
− “You’re not fun now that you don’t drink much anymore.”
− “That healthy stuff can’t taste too good.”
− “Do you know that most people gain back the weight that they lose?”

By being prepared, you can counter these comments and dodge the diversion. Eventually, by maintaining your willpower and self-assurance, these people will get the picture and accept your new body or healthy lifestyle. You may even end up positively influencing someone else’s diet!

Don’t let others’ judgements, temptations or manipulation pressure you to change your eating habits. Ultimately the only person who can sabotage your eating is you. Feel confident in your goals and hold your stance, but remember that it’s fine to treat yourself from time-to-time.

Lastly, return the kindness you desire by supporting the goals of your friends and loved ones.

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On the University of Chicago Law School’s blog, Dean Saul Levmore posed a hypothetical scenario—what if employers offered incentives to employees who lost or maintained a healthy weight and penalized employees who are overweight. He theorizes that a monetary reward could act as an effective motivator for many people.

The bottomline is that obesity costs employers money. According to the Research Triangle Institute, each overweight employee costs between $460 and $2,500, per year. These costs mainly cover healthcare and absenteeism. For a company with 1,000 employees, this could equate to $285,000 every year.

After looking through claims and medical expenses for their members, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina found that obese individuals cost 30% more, and overweight individuals 18% more, than those who are normal-weight.

So you can see why Levmore’s proposition may be appealing to businesses. But, would it be appealing to you, as an employee?

Aside from the potential benefits an employee could gain from an incentive program like the one Levmore proposes, what could someone gain at work, by losing weight? Unfortunately, hidden discrimination seems to exist. Statistics show that obese people earn less than their thinner counterparts—anywhere from 10-20%. It is projected that many qualified, talented people are turned down for jobs because of their size. Most states do not protect obese employees from discrimination. So, by decreasing weight, people may actually be increasing their financial worth and employment success.

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Today, the internet allows us to do just about anything—speak with a friend on the other side of the world, research or blog on any topic, bid for merchandise or book travel arrangements.

Lately, edieting has emerged as a popular weight loss/weight management option, with an estimated 30 million people searching dieting web sites each month. A study conducted by the University of Vermont suggests that virtual diets appear to work as well as offline programs in maintaining long-term weight loss. Part of their success can be attributed to demographics—75% of the nation are Internet users and about 66% of American adults are overweight. Statistics, however, are not the sole reason.

Convenience and customization are two major advantages of edieting programs since you can access your account from any computer and diet and exercise programs can be tailored to any lifestyle and fitness level.

Virtual dieting companies such as eDiets and CaloriesCount.com, offer menu planners, fitness specialists, nutritionists, virtual coaching and community support at a less expensive rate than most offline dieting and fitness programs. These sites also provide information and motivation tools such as assessment calculators, exercise plans, email reminders, food diaries and more. Technological advancements have enhanced the visual effects of fitness programs, with online photos and videos that make it easier to repeat exercise instructions correctly.

From an emotional standpoint—the privacy of online dieting encourages honesty, which can lead to more accurate advice and suitable program suggestions. For those who feel uncomfortable with face-to-face meetings, the online support groups provide morale and promote conversation while preserving anonymity. Plus, round-the-clock access to sites ensures that if you are having a late-night moment of weakness, someone who understands will be out in cyberspace ready to provide advice and comfort.

Things to consider when researching/joining a virtual dieting site:
- Are the program experts certified/qualified?
- Are terms and conditions prominently displayed?
- Is exercise incorporated into the program?
- Are the programs sustainable for long-term?

Those desiring to join any diet or fitness program should first consult with their physician.

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Today’s pop culture is obsessed with weight. Television shows focus on radical body makeovers and weight loss challenges and tabloids are teeming with photographs that glamorize emaciated celebrities. At the same time, however, headlines pose the question, “Are They Too Skinny?”

What's more baffling is that the advertisements within these same tabloid and beauty magazines include models with equally “skinny” physiques, which are scrutinized by the articles within.

So, what is an ideal body weight? How can we attain what seems to be an impossible balance?

Mixed messages regarding body image have created a dichotomy. Americans are obsessed with being “Hollywood” thin and beautiful, but intrigued by criticism of the models and celebrities they aim to resemble. The result—a country that is consumed with “looking good” and less concerned with overall health and wellbeing.

Warped perceptions of our physical appearance are created from the Barbie-type, airbrushed images that surround us everyday. With these unrealistic expectations, it is no wonder so many people are dissatisfied with their bodies, self-conscious and incapable of appreciating basic good health. This goes especially for women—4 out of 5 are unhappy with their bodies. The consequences: teenage girls plagued with self-scrutiny, pregnant women depriving themselves of essential nourishment in order to limit weight gain and the new prevalence of eating disorders among women in midlife.

Even pre-teen girls in America grow up with Barbie dolls, playing out scenes for what their adult lives could be. According to Marie Claire magazine, if Barbie were a real woman, she would be 7-foot-2 and possess these unlikely measurements: 40-inch bust, 22-inch waist and 36-inch hips.

On the flip side, obese individuals are viewed so negatively by the public that they are denied the peer encouragement that is necessary for them to make behavioral or lifestyle improvements. The common notion that obese individuals are both lazy and responsible for their situation has resulted in grave social repercussions—discrimination in the workplace, biased attitudes from health care professionals, barriers in interpersonal relationships, negative portrayals in the media and compromised quality of life.

The media has an essential role in ending the “thin-is-better” epidemic and cultivating a culture that is confident and health-conscious. It is highly unlikely, however, that the television, magazines and news outlets will shift their focus to highlight people with healthy and balanced lifestyles. The sad reality is that the current unrealistic and unhealthy images attract more attention and translate into financial gain.

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You spend money on a diet program/regimen that guarantees rapid weight loss. Then you attempt to deprive yourself of indulgent foods and dishes that used to be a part of your regular diet. Finally, you feel guilty because you’ve either cheated or strictly followed directions and encountered minimal results.

Does this scenario sound familiar to you?

We’ve all seen countless diet gimmicks making false claims and empty promises of long-term weight loss. At any given time in North America, 40% of women and 25% of men are on a diet plan. These patterns of eating, however, hold steep emotional and physical implications, especially given the fact that 95% of dieters regain the weight they lost in three years or less.

Fad dieting is not only monotonous and almost impossible to stick with, it is dangerous and should never be used in lieu of exercise and healthy eating. Extreme plans often deprive people of crucial nutrients, causing disruptive physical side effects like drowsiness, headaches and nausea and, sometimes, serious health conditions. Mental consequences are also part of the fad dieting equation, since it involves self-deprivation and self-induced pressure for accomplishing weight loss goals in such a small span of time. The result—your unattainable quest for immediate gratification not only diminishes your goals for long-term weight success, but sets you up to berate yourself for “failing”. The strategies that many fad diets employ are counterproductive and will hinder your body’s metabolism and muscle building processes, both of which are necessary for improving physique. Diets that instruct against eating nutrient-rich meals and keep you from eating often throughout the day slow down your metabolism. Calorie-restricted diets will prohibit your body from attaining sufficient calories to burn for energy. In which case, the body will break down muscle tissue in order to sustain daily energy levels.

What can you do to ensure long-term weight loss and overall physical and mental health?

Adopt a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates, soy, vegetables, fruits and fiber, and low in fats (especially animal fats) and refined carbohydrates and sugars.

− Eat smaller meals and more frequently throughout the day. Don’t bother with depriving yourself between meals or with calorie counting.
− Use prepackaged or pre-portioned snacks and meal replacements to aid in controlling and monitoring caloric intake. They are easy to incorporate into your life.
− Take a multi-vitamin or supplement to ensure you are receiving essential vitamins and minerals missing from your daily diet.
− Exercise regularly since it is necessary to the weight loss formula. It has beneficial effects on overall body weight, body composition and cardiovascular health and it also improves self-esteem and energy levels.
− Find a healthy life balance, which is crucial to sustaining long-term results: family, work, faith, exercise, study etc.

As you develop a healthier lifestyle, one that is necessary to achieve long-term weight goals, you will be less likely to think of these changes as a diet. Over time, you will feel more energetic and seeing the results of a long-term plan will continue to encourage you to stick with it!

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