Have you found on your journey to a life of no more dieting that you have combated some saboteurs along the way?  The answer is probably yes.  I want to address some of the less obvious saboteurs that can derail your efforts, and offer suggestions for how to stay on course despite distractions that try and take you off.

Here are some common saboteurs and tips on how to deal with them:

Family: Whether it is your spouse, your child or a parent, while they certainly love you, they may be the most difficult challenge that gets in your way of being healthy.  Loved ones might say hurtful things like, “You’re on another diet?  Why will this work when the other’s haven’t?”  It is easy to doubt yourself when you hear criticism like this coming from one you love, but it is important to remember this is your journey and you must protect your personal space by not letting them make these comments.  In a polite manner, let them know that they are not allowed to make comments about your body or food.  Stay true to yourself.

Friends: They make us laugh and smile, but friends can be foes when it comes to health.  Whether you’re still in high school or are far removed from it, peer pressure can still kick in when hanging out with friends who want you to eat differently than the way you want to.  Or perhaps they are jealous of your success and say nasty things because it is hard for them to see you succeed when they feel they aren’t.  So they offer you a food you’ve already turned down.  How do you handle it?  Thank them and redirect the offer to a food you prefer and stay consistent in saying no each time they offer.

Time: It is not a person or even something you can hold in your hand, but time can be one of the hardest parts of a healthy lifestyle.  Behavior modification may involve restructuring your schedule so you can make more time for meal preparation and exercise.  The time you make to be healthy may extend your lifetime.  So while you may feel like time is never on your side, sitting down and reevaluating your schedule may give you more time than you think.  Find out where time is being wasted and replace it with healthy behaviors.

Media: Whether it’s social media, commercials, television or movies, we are constantly looking at fictional images that do not do justice to what it really means to look and live healthy.  Being a fan of media outlets like television shows, movies and magazines can be a source of relaxation and help you de-stress, but separate them from influencing the way you view your body and your lifestyle.  Remember the way you look and the life you lead is yours to be happy with, and it’s best not to compare yourself to your favorite celebrity.

While these saboteurs are all very real aspects of your daily life, they can be tackled in a constructive way that keeps you on the path to a body you love without dieting!

Your turn to take action:  What or who are some other saboteurs that have made you feel bad about your journey or knocked you off course?