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People's attitudes

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Miss90

Well-Known Member
Messages
223
Location
UK
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Diabetes
I've recently given up smoking and all alcohol and gone on bit of a health kick (go me!) and while most of my friends are understanding and encouraging, I still have a few that think its 'weird' and wonder why I'm being boring all of a sudden. They don't seem to realise that their bodies react differently to certain foods, alchol etc and I'm quite upset that some of my so called good friends can't see I'm trying to improve my health!

Anyone else experienced a similar thing?
 
Hi Miss90

It's pretty much part of human nature that we are sometimes resistant to change. Change in us, change in our surroundings, change in the people round us. A part of us always seems to want things to stay the same. But as time passes, we and our circumstances change and we have to adapt accordingly.

I guess this is why it often takes something us dramatic as a diabetes diagnosis to force us into healthier lifestyle changes!

Your friends may be feeling threatened by this change in your attitude towards your health.

You need to be brave and stick to what you know is best for your own health. Be patient with them, explain why you have made the choices you have and give them a bit of time to get used to the idea. If they are your real friends they will come round eventually.

Well done on making a start on taking better care of yourself. I wish you every success in your efforts.

Pavlos


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
It's also part of human nature to want to be like everyone else especially when you are young. Someone who does not conform is unsettling since you are not sure who is right. It's easier if you can get them to do things as you would wish them done. Less effort and raises the comfort level. It's a kind of control phreak attitude.

Now I am older I tell them to get stu**ed. Of course you end up with fewer friends this way but they didn't like the way you were behaving anyway. Not really what I would call friends.
 
I would say your friends are just shocked by your decision and will accept it overtime, if they don't and continue to make negative comments then they're not true friends.

As individuals we don't need to do things to please everyone else, what your doing is great Miss90 and I'm sure you'll reap the benefits further down the line.
 
Yes, it's not easy and just try to explain the reasons for the diet change without boring them. BTW don't worry about the odd bit of alcohol as it has only a small effect on blood suagrs but you may well want to give it up for general heath reasons
 
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