I’ve had numerous requests to write a blog post about how my Lenten resolution to forgo sweets from Ash Wednesday until Easter affected my body and my mind.
First I must clarify that I did not give up sugar or all sweet treats. I simply gave up sweets, which I defined as anything I would normally consider dessert.
I think giving up sugar all together would have been extremely difficult. Sure, it wasn’t fun to have to pass on the gourmet desserts at Ryan’s special awards banquet and I didn’t enjoy saying no to cupcakes and birthday treats at work on occasion, but, for the most part, it wasn’t so bad.
For me, the key was making substitutions when I really wanted dessert. When I was craving ice cream or frozen yogurt, I made smoothies and pseudo ice cream.
When I wanted cookies, I made granola bars or coconut granola.
As I’ve addressed before, I was shocked that my body seemed to crave salty and buttery treats when I gave up sweets. I wanted endless amounts of movie theater-style popcorn, chips, nuts and peanut butter (though that’s not exactly unusual).
And now for the most commonly asked question: Did I lose any weight?
Nope.
I didn’t do this challenge to lose any weight and, low and behold, my weight stayed basically the same.
For me, my lack of weight loss during Lent further reiterated a few things for me.
First, the occasional dessert won’t kill you. Eating a big bowl of ice cream or a few cookies isn’t going to make you blow up like a balloon. I feel like I maintain a relatively healthy diet and I try to stay active, which leaves me some wiggle room and allows me to enjoy rich desserts and sweet treats sometimes.
I’m not saying I’m going to sit down and eat half of a cake every night after dinner, but I’m also not going to turn down my husband when he asks if I want to go out for some frozen yogurt or order our favorite hot fudge sundae.
To be totally honest, the hardest part about giving up dessert was dealing with other people.
- “Why aren’t you eating dessert?”
- “Why would you want to give up sweets?”
- “Oh please. You can have one cupcake. It won’t kill you.”
The eye rolling, the judging… it’s kind of ridiculous how much some people seem to care what other people eat.
This used to be something that really bothered me. I would feel insecure in these situations… especially when “food pushers” practically shove food down your throat after you’ve politely declined.
Fortunately I now feel much more secure about simply saying “No thank you, I’m fine,” without feeling the need to justify my lack of desire to indulge in rich food at every opportunity.
Sure I felt a little awkward and it wasn’t fun explaining why I gave up sweets every few days, but it made me appreciate the people who supported me and understood my decision even more. I also started to care less and less about the opinions of those who didn’t understand and tried to make me feel self conscious and uncomfortable about my Lenten resolution.
This may sounds like an odd parallel, but it also gave me a greater respect for vegetarians and vegans who likely deal with the opinions and snide comments of people regularly. It takes a lot to stand by something you believe when others may not understand, and I greatly admire those of you out there who have made commitments to certain diets in the name of something you whole-heartedly believe in.
So all that being said… Would I do it again? Sure! But I might make it a bit harder or clarify my boundaries more going into Lent because I almost felt like I was bending the rules a bit with some of my substitutions. Still, I made it and the ice cream I ate for breakfast yesterday tasted fantastic.
Questions of the Afternoon
- Have you ever felt judged for what you eat or choose not to eat?
- Does it bother you when someone questions your personal eating habits? How do you respond?
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Fantastic post Julie! You’re so right that there are parallels to vegan, and other special diets.
When I ate raw to heal stomach troubles I got so many people who were rude about it and it honestly made me feel ostracized. I always make sure to be understanding of special diets because everyone has different foods that work best for them!
i definitely used to get judged more.. and with being a vegan i get that too! a lot of WHYS.. since wen do ppl care what I eat?!.. anywho.. i DEFS think it so interesting that your weight stayed the same- it rly goes to show how indulging wont do anything your weight!
This post sang to me! I was vegetarian for 6 years, 2 years of which I was vegan, and 1 year of that I was full-on RAW. This was incredibly difficult – the judgment! The explaining I had to do! I must say that the year of raw was the best I’ve ever felt in my life, and similarly the easiest and hardest lifestyle. I loved it, but the explanations, the “you’re a nut job” glances… they got really old! Eventually I started explaining that I am doing what I feel is best for MY health, and no, I am not anorexic, I just enjoy giving my body what I think it needs at the time, and teaching myself DISCIPLINE with eating – the way our “forefathers” were required to based on food availability! People really struggle with watching others be disciplined in their choices – it makes them feel crappy about their own choices. Go Julie for sticking to your Lenten sacrifices!
I’m a vegetarian, plus I’ve had to cut certain things out to test for stomach problems so I’ve definitely had my share of experiences with rude people! Also, I’m observing Passover, which cuts out a lot of food, so that perplexes people even more. I don’t think anyone should worry about what I eat except for me 🙂
I really can’t stand other people’s comments about my diet. Whether your diet is for health, moral, or religious reasons, or if it is in fact to lose weight, it’s really no one’s business but your own! I told a few people at work that I was fasting last week, and they immediately told me that wasn’t a healthy way to lose weight (I was actually doing it for religious reasons). It’s one thing to ask questions out of genuine interest, but the judgment gets old really fast.
Hope you’re enjoying some desserts now 🙂
Congrats on your journey! I recently got on a paleo diet after being diagnosed with sensitivity to wheat, gluten, eggs, all dairy, etc. I used to eat EVERYTHING so when I cut back significantly, I got a lot of rude questions like “um, are you trying to lose weight or something?” and “well you’ve been eating like crap this whole time, is it really going to kill you to eat a slice of bread?” You learn to just ignore their comments. The people who truly matter will understand!
Congrats again!
I hate when other comment about my diet. What I eat is my choice and my choice only and I really hate when people make comments that I’m only eating something because I want to lose weight. While I am trying to lose some weight I like fruits and veggies regardless. Hope you’re enjoying the sweets back in your diet!
Great reflection! I gave up all sugar for Lent and that too was a tough one…Thankfully I had smoothies to fill in for those ice cream cravings!!
It is definitely tough to try and defend your choices to people but I agree that the easiest way to avoid any kind of judgy-ness was to just politely decline and not offer up any explanation. It really is surprising to me how many people will judge and try to talk down what you (that’s the collective “you” lol) do for Lent. I think Lent is a very personal experience and time for reflection–I definitely learned a lot about cravings and how my body adjusts to life without sugar. But, I must say, that first Reese’s egg on Easter sure was amazing 🙂
My family does this. It has been going on for years! I have gotten used to it. Every now and then it bothers me for a second, but I don’t HAVE to have dessert after EVERY meal.
Excellent post! I tried to give up sugar entirely once and it lasted for about a week 🙂 But these are some great alternatives!
Just this past weekend I was judged for not wanting to continue digging into my easter candy all day long (which I later threw away!) or have a second cupcake after our dinner! Also, I work with mostly guys whom don’t understand that I won’t eat pizza or take-out everyday for lunch. But, I’ve learned how to be more confident in knowing that the choices I make are what’s best for me. Thanks for sharing!
Great reflections! I have also reduced the amount of sugar in my diet and like you said, now I find myself craving more salty savoury things! Funny how that works isn’t it? To answer your question, yes, I definitely have felt uncomfortable in the past when people judge my eating habits. Even though I have no plans to lose any weight right now, I feel that sometimes I’m still judged by people who mistake my healthy eating habits as a diet. Even though it’s frustrating sometimes, I just try to explain that I choose not to eat sweets because I know I won’t feel my best after. Great job on your progress Julie!! 🙂
I’m learning to not let other people’s comments about my eating bother me, but it’s definitely not easy! The thing that irritates me the most is the assumption that eating healthy foods means that you’re ‘dieting’ or trying to lose weight. Um, it it not ok to just want to treat my body well?
I generally take the negative comments as an opportunity to educate the person on the benefits of eating well- I figure a negative comment probably means they’re feeling insecure about something or are just uneducated about healthy living!
I thought your ice cream for dessert was hilarious! I would have done the same thing 🙂
i agree w/ your second sentence 100%!
The craziest thing I’ve ever done was give up chocolate for a year. As in 365 days. Try explaining THAT to people!
In general, my fiance is my best protection against other peoples’ comments. I’m vegetarian, so most people know that means no chicken, beef and fish. But, when I have to turn down marshmallows or jello or something, they start asking questions. That’s where Dan comes in to explain! I think he’s kind of proud of me and my decisions.
Congrats on making it the whole way! It is awesome sticking to a decision-despite what others might think or say, so kudos to you!
I agree, it is hard to say no to stuff people are eating, but once you decide on something or believe a certain way, it does NOT matter what others think.
It sounds like you learned a lot-and that is what is most important. Who cares about weight fluctuations when eating a cookie or two?! I am glad you indulge when YOU want to, and not when someone tells you too. I feel free as well, being able to do this myself 🙂
thanks for posting your feelings! You did a great job. And CONGrats on being able to eat sugar/sweets when you want to.
I get lots of comments about what I eat, and though this sounds cliched, usually when people are really pushy it’s because they’re insecure about their own eating habits. I hate to make a generalization and I don’t mean this in any negative way, but I’ve found that the worst “food pushers” are chronic dieters, or women who are constantly struggling to lose a few pounds. One thing that these types of experiences have taught me, though, is that just as I hate being grilled about my eating habits, that feeling isn’t specific to one certain diet. I don’t talk about my reasons for not eating meat unless I’m asked, and I don’t care what other people put into their mouths as long as they don’t care what I put into mine. Live and let live!!
yes, yes, yes to everything!
SO TRUE!!!!
Oh yes, I definitely understand the questions! I’m highly intolerant of gluten, and we have bagels, muffins, cookies, cupcakes, and other treats like that in my office constantly. I try to skip a lot of the events because to be honest, some days I just want to cry when I look at the treats and they all look so good! It’s hard, especially when people comment or look at you. In fact, I just got back from a lunch meeting where they catered in sandwiches and cookies so I had… water. I know I got some looks, but mostly I think it’s other people who feel insecure. Like, they think -‘if I’m eating a cookie, why aren’t you? And are you judging me for it?’ It’s also embarassing to have to explain what gluten intolerance is, that it’s not just a diet, that I can’t just ‘not eat’ the crust of a pizza and eat the toppings instead. I just try not to look too grumpy or comment on other people’s habits.
A co-worker brought in special gluten free muffins to a meeting this morning and it made me day!!
Good for you for doing the best thing for your health! You would be surprised by the number of people who have allergies or intolerance’s and just suffer through their reactions because they have no self control. You are listening to your body and thats the best thing you can do! Good work!
Great parallel to the vegetarian/vegan aspect. I gave up chocolate but didn’t get too much trouble because people understood Lent. However I am a vegetarian and I get the questions and eye rolling all the time! I have learned to deal with it, mostly because I am 100% confident in my choices and don’t care if other people judge me. But it’s still tough!
I take more questions and rude comments about being vegetarian than I did for giving up sugar for Lent.
I don’t have too many restrictions — I try to avoid dairy as much as possible since that sometimes causes me stomach issues, but I do try to not eat just because something looks good. I have a few food pushers in the family who will hand you drink after drink and dessert after dessert (literally putting it in your mouth which I hate) who seem so offended when I say “no thank you”. It really bothers me to be honest!
I also have some family members who either tell me I’m eating too much or too little — and they make fun of me for working out. It seems so silly — especially now that I’m writing it out and reading it to myself — but they do it! I think part of it is that they are uncomfortable with their own choices and are trying to make me feel bad.
I think it is great that you made the commitment for the Lenten season. Good for you!
Great post Julie! It is so interesting that your received so many snide comments. I too make specific choices about what I eat. I am not vegan or vegetarian; however, I prefer to prepare my own foods and make clean choices. There are certain foods that make me feel better than others but I don’t classify myself as anything. It is amazing to me that so many people care about what I eat and feel like they need to share with me their opinions on my diets. I do alot of things in my life and make alot of choices but my diet is always a topic. I just don’t understand why this is always such a discussion with people.
The hardest thing for me is people at work!! They bring in donuts to morning meetings and cookies to afternoon meetings and my program manager will practically PUSH the food on you… and if you decline, you not only get a million judgemental rolling eyes but you also must explain why you declined the donut/cookie. It’s often easier to just take the donut/cookie in a napkin, bring it back to my desk with me and than throw it out. But that’s awfully sad… I wish people would bring more health concious items to work. If I’m going to splurge on something sugary, I’d rather it be my FAVORITE slice of chocolate cake – not some stale donut.
I get judged all the time. My inlaws don’t think healthy food can possibly taste good, all meals must include meat, vegetables have to be covered in butter and fruits covered in sugar. I’m so sick of justifying my food choices!!
haha please look at the spread at ryan’s mom’s brunch yesterday. 🙂
I will!!!
Great post!!
I’ve been vegetarian for 5 years now but gave up beef when I was 8. I was raised in a southern household where people eat meat and lots of it!!
I STILL get tons of crap from people about my diet. People get really offended by vegetarianism for some reason. I am not the preachy type and I dont share unless asked and yet people constantly go off on me about how I choose to eat and life my life. People have even gone as far as sticking meat in my face!
It does bother me, some days more than others but I really try to treat others how I want to be treated. I’ll just smile and nod and not make comments about the junk food I constantly see them eating! 🙂 And some days I’ll bring in extra food and share so they can see that my food isnt “weird”!
Yes! I felt exactly the same way the 3 years that I was on Weight Watchers. Everyone would always say something like, “Would you like some of this or is that too many POINTS for you?” Or, if I was eating something, someone would come up and ask, “how many point is THAT?”
It got SO frustrating. I couldn’t eat anything without someone making a comment.
My best friend just started WW and has lost 25lb and looks amazing and I found myself doing that to her one day and realize…what the heck am I doing? I hated this. So, I stopped and just told her what she was doing was working and she looks great.
OH.MY.GOSH! I have been struggling with the issue of food pushers and people judging what I eat for YEARS! I am so glad I am not the only one. I am a very heatlhy eater for the most part and if I am going to “splurge” on things it’s normally on the weekend, unless I REALLY REALLY want it now. Some things are worth it and some things are not. Most recently the ladies at work were having cheesecake for a birthday. I poilitely said “no thank you” and one of the women actually said “Ohh are you just going to sit over there and starve yourself?” Really? I was completely taken back by her comment. I am constantly in the fridge getting my healthy snacks, really all day long. WHY do people feel the need to push food on you and then comment when you aren’t interested? I feel very judged and a little insecure when eating at meetings or get togethers at work for this reason. I am ALMOST to the point where I might start commenting on what everyone else is eating 😉 maybe they will get the hint? It’s not that I don’t eat, its that I don’t eat unhealthy junk on a regular basis. If it’s worth it, I will splurge.
ew. i would’ve drop-kicked that lady in the face.
She did try to back-pedal and said “oh well you save yourself for weekends, right?” Probably because I said “yes, because that’s what I do, I starve myself” and continued to work. I don’t know how she let those words come out of her mouth.
I agree w/ a previous poster that most people who comment on what I eat or push food are insecure about their own eating habits. Most people commend me for staying healthy, There will always be people who have to throw their two cents in…
I understand. It’s like the food pushers feel like you’re judging them or calling them fat by not indulging.
Funny story, I cut out alcohol for a month that happened to fall over a pontoon ride with a huge group of friends. Lots of pressure and weird looks. Later I heard rumors that people thought I was pregnant because I wasn’t drinking! Gah!
It’s funny that you should mention this topic as I just wrote my fitness story on my blog realized that my habits definitely come across to some people differenty than I would hope. If someone ever judges me (questions why I don’t want a sweet or says “why can’t you miss the gym one day?”), I reply with something positive/funnny. I’ll usually explain how I can eat just as much as my boyfriend, which isn’t okay, so I workout to compensate for it. Or I ate 3 cupcakes last night (seriously no joke), so I don’t need another one today. Most of the time I’ll just tell the truth–I like to work out and I ENJOY my “health” food, if you will. I don’t force myself to do it, I enjoy it and what works for one person may not work for another.
Oh, and forgot to mention: Great post! It’s amazing that this happens to everyone (from the comments I’ve read) and now I will be even MORE conscientious about it in the future.
I get harassed ALL THE TIME about not only what I choose to eat or not eat but alcohol as well.
I eat what I call ‘clean’ most days of the week allowing myself one special meal or day a week to eat whatever I want.
I get harassed for packing my own food places, saying no to certain things, being picky in a restaurant, etc. I especially get harassed about not indulging if I’m out with people that are drinking. I have even noticed a decline on social invites because of how and what I eat/drink lately.
On the flip side, the reactions when I do indulge in a treat – such as Easter dinner this weekend. There was crab dip for an appetizer and I was addicted after one cracker, so I ate a bunch, I went for seconds for stuffing and yams and had dessert AND ate half a chocolate bunny my grandmother gave me. So what?! It doesn’t have to be a big deal and I really hate when people make it into one.
Congrats on surviving the 40 days! I’m a total dessert-aholic, and I gave up sweets for Lent as well (I defined it as “desserts” as well). I actually did it at the same time I trained for my Half Marathon, so I did end up losing a little over 5 pounds, but I attribute that to my longer workouts than normal. I think the first week was the hardest. After my lunch I would crave a little piece of chocolate or sugar. However, after a week or so, I got pretty used to passing on the dessert. I like your creative substitutes. One of my favorites is granola with peanut butter. Delicious! I loved indulging yesterday too 🙂 Good for you!
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said: it’s kind of ridiculous how much some people seem to care what other people eat. I feel this ALL THE TIME when people (the “food pushers” as you put it) make comments. I find that these comments come from people who are so overly self-conscious with themselves that they focus on others as well. Very frustrating!
Great job sticking to your commitment for the 40 days!
I feel your pain. When I’m dieting for a competition I get those questions all the time. Yes i”m “small” and could have it if I wanted it, but accomplishing my goals is MORE important than that one cupcake. 🙂
I appreciate this post so much. I am a vegetarian and almost every person who learns that always asks me why. At times I get really irritated because I don’t think I should have to justify my decision to give up meat — if I asked a meat eater why they eat meat, I would be labeled as a judgmental animal-rights activist type! Whenever someone asks me, however, I remind myself that they are simply interested in the choice I have made and are likely unfamiliar with all the benefits that a vegetarian lifestyle offers. Keeping it positive and giving tips/facts about going meatless keeps me sane and happy.
I can totally see how comments by others would be the hardest part of a challange like that. I’m pretty stubborn, so giving up sweets wouldn’t be that hard, but I would feel very uncomfortable in social situations. I started eating healthier about half a year ago and I often feel judged for it. To be honest, in most cases I try to ”hide” the fact that I eat healthy, especially because most people confuse it with dieting, as healthy eating is viewed as weird, not normal. I find it very annoying and honestly don’t understand why people care about others’ eating habits – that’s really up to each individual, isn’t it?! I think a lot of people comment because of their own insecurities … like my brother, who is always going from one extreme to another (junk food – eating once a day). I can’t even imagine what veg(etari)ans go through every day!
Anyway, I have decided to ”give up” sweets for a month. I have eaten a lot of them (especially not store-bought candy), but in the past weeks I’ve been awful with it and my sugar tolerance has increased waaay too much (and eating like this makes me feel like crap). While some people find it easier to cut back on something if they limit the intake, I find it more managable to go cold turkey, so here’s hoping my one-month ”detox” will be successful.
This is EXACTLY what I’m going through! I feel like everyone around me are food-pushing lately since I eat healthier now. Even yesterday at Easter, I ate prior to going so I wouldn’t be so tempted to eat unhealthy takeout…and even after 6 “No thanks I’m fine!” ‘s…I STILL get the attitude’s as if I don’t eat food or am starving myself. NO, for the 4th time…I don’t want the deep fried chicken parm sandwich surrounded by white bread that will go straight to my thighs. They don’t see me going around pushing healthy foods on them or harassing them to step away from the glass of Coke and fill it with water! It drives me mad…what and what I don’t choose to put into my body is my decision.
I get comments constantly about what I eat like “why are you such a vegan?” In all honesty, if those people even knew what a vegan was they wouldn’t be saying that to me and just because I like to eat healthy food and veggies does not qualify me as a weirdo and if it does then I am 100% okay with being labeled weird.
Loving this post; I have recently given up drinking soda and I swear people look at me weird when I turn down my all-time fav, Diet Dr. Pepper.
A good tip my cousin has given me about dealing with others: If you tell people that you are allergic to a food or that something makes you physically ill, they will leave you alone. It sucks to have to go to such extremes, but I agree with you that other people can be the biggest hurdle to deal with when it comes to food. I’m not going to deny that I haven’t questioned people that don’t eat bread and pasta because they are trying to go low-carb, but it is more of just a projection of my own ideas about eating and what I know I could never give up. To each his own I suppose.
Congrats on your recent accomplishment!
Wow – it’s cool to hear your reflection on time without dessert. Whenever I limit sweets – or wind up not craving them sometimes – I also usually feel cravings for PB.
For dietary reasons, I only eat certain kinds of meat (ex: no pork), don’t mix milk and meat (ex: no cheeseburgers), and only eat meat that is Kosher approved. I’ve followed this practice my whole life and while many people understand it, it surprises me that the people who give me the most judgment are other Jews who actually even know what being Kosher is!
I agree that I think sometimes those who are judging on other’s food choices are insecure in their own decisions. I understand because I can be guilty of this as well, but I’m learning to feel that everyone’s food intake is their own individual choice.
I think the most important thing to realize in situations where people are pressing a food choice, whatever it may be, is that they wont feel guilty after you give in to their pushing. It is you that will be faced with the self-doubt and negative feelings about your inability to stand by something you signed up for.
I recently took on “flexitarianism” and lately have been struggling in situations such as dinner parties, going out to eat, or bbq’s. I don’t want to be rude or difficult by declining, but in the end I am the one that is going to feel down on myself for giving in to the pressures from others, not the other way around.
Thanks for helping me put this into perspective Julie, and congrats on the success of your Lenten sacrifice!
When I was pregnant, I got SO many comments about my food choices. I maintained a very healthy diet and found alternatives to most of my cravings (french fries not included). I’m not a huge sweets person, and chocolate gives me a headache so I would refrain. I swear it was like the world was ending. I really had to hold back when I would hear, “Oh, come on, you’re eating for two!” I gained the right amount of weight, had very healthy babies, and my pregnancy weight came off very easy. Truthfully, I wanted to be obnoxious and yell “Boo-yah” to them when all was said and done.
ugh, i bet that would get really annoying after a while!
I feel your pain. I gave up all sweets for Lent the last 2 years and listening to others’ opinions about it was harder than not eating the treats! I got a lot of “Why would you do that?” and it made me a bit crazy. I gave up “binge drinking” or rather, how I used to drink when I was in university, about a year ago too (one or two drinks per outing – tops!) and people always ask me why and I think it’s the oddest thing that anyone really cares whether I want to get obliterated or not? I was honestly surprised by the lack of support from family and friends for making a healthy change! Haters be hatin’! 🙂
I feel judged all the time about what I eat. Mainly because I like to go for low cal high volume food so the shear amount makes me people think I’m binging but they don’t realize it’s actually less calories and far healthier than what their meal looks like.
Yes!! Ever since I gave up dairy products, the comments and eyebrow-raises from everyone else have been the main thing that’s bothered me. I don’t even mind about not eating cake, but it’s people trying to make me feel bad about that fact that bugs me.
Well done for making it through the whole of Lent though! Definite dedication there!
p.s only discovered your blog a few days ago, but I think I’ve already read most of the the archive!! love it 🙂
I totally know what you mean by the food pushers! I’m not sure if politely declining on something indulgent makes them feel self-conscious or what, but now if I’m trying to lose weight or something, I don’t even explain myself, I just say No Thank you! Politely, but firmly 🙂
What a relatable recap! I absolutely understand where you are coming from and how you felt. If you’ve been to my blog, I’m sure you’ve seen that some of my food choices are “unique” to say the least. The blog was the first step for me in accepting these weird choices. Not just accepting, but embracing! Sharing my weird tastes with people has been refreshing because I see that everyone has their quirky little food choices. And as I always say on my blog, “No judgments!”
This year for my company’s annual awards show (where we hand out silly awards), I won the foodie award for my “undying love for I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray and Whipped Cream.” And instead of feeling nervous or judged, I embraced the title. It was fun to laugh with my coworkers about eclectic taste buds 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Great reflection Julie!
I am a fitness instructor and feel judged all the time. It’s annoying. At the grocery store people I know want to look in my cart or hide theirs from me! 🙂 I like to try to live a balanced life and that’s all. People assume becuase of my job and how I look ( I guess?!?) that I am on a constant diet… I read a lot of health fitness literature. Mainly to educate myself or to get recipe ideas or workout moves! I read South Beach..not to go on the diet though. I read The Abs Diet. They had such good recipes!! 🙂 I appreciate your blog today ( and everyday) and just want to say keep doing what you do!
Marcia
I hate the so-called “food pushers” at work! People ask all the time “is that what you’re eating for lunch?” Basically asking why I’m not eating more. Little do they know I’m not a big fan of lunch and would rather snack and I’m usually still stuffed from my big breakfast! It’s just too bothersome to explain anymore!
People will always have some nosy thing to say about the decisions in your life. I’ve heard so many of them… “Are you on a diet?” “Don’t starve yourself, eat 2nds! We need to fatten you up!”
And it goes beyond food, “When are you getting engaged/married/having babies?”
My life. My choices. I’ll let you know if it affects you. But I’ve learned to just smile while I’m glaring on the inside =)
people can be so narrowminded sometimes!luckily, the people i am generally around are pretty understanding of my lifestyle choice and leave me alone.
Yay for finally being able to have ice cream again:)
A few years ago I tried vegan cold turkey, skipping the vegetarian step. I, too, got the “Are you crazy?” comments but also “How do you do that!?” comments. I lasted about 4 months but then it got expensive, time consuming, and difficult. I went back to healthily and ethically eating meat and got mocked for being a failure. I decided about 9 months ago to go back to vegetarianism without mentioning it. Guess what–no one’s even noticed.
It was irritating defending myself to my friends. I get that they would be concerned if i wasn’t eating at all, but I was definitely sustaining myself! As for strangers–stay out of it. Do you really want me to talk to you about your triple bacon cheeseburger with XL fries and a diet coke? I didn’t think so.