Peer Pressure at Every Age
Written by Shoshana Pritzker Monday, 17 May 2010 15:57
April 02, 2009
Pre-teens and teenagers are not the only population to experience peer pressure these days. In fact, it seems peer pressure never seems to go away. Just as you think you're done with all of the pressures of social situations at your highschool graduation, you enter college and are smacked right in the face with the realization that now you've got a whole new arena of pressures being placed on you. It's just a part of life and there's really no escaping it; that is unless you move to a deserted island where you're the only person in existence. If that's the case then you must prepare yourself for battle. Keep your goal in mind at all times and weapons in your pocket for when you really need them. If you're trying to lose weight or you have just begun a weight lifting program, don't let your friends belittle your attempts at building a better body for yourself. Don't let the peer pressure get to you. Instead use your weapons to combat these pressures and you'll find you're one step ahead of the rest.
Sabotage #1 - Alluring Food
We've all been there, out to eat with friends and family, everyone is eating garbage food with exception to you. Of course someone at the table has to say something like, "you gotta live a little...come on...just one bite...it won't hurt you." Just remember one thing, misery loves company. Nobody wants to eat unhealthy food by themselves. Haven't you noticed that fat people often have fat friends?
The problem with this situation is that it always seems that just saying 'no' is never enough. People will continue to bother you about it until you give in. The buck stops here because in no way are you going to sabotage your own hard work just because you couldn't handle the pressures placed on you by your friends and family. In reality these are the people who should be supporting you most not trying to hold you back.
I've been in this situation more times than not, so here are a few excuses that have worked well for me. Be creative with it and have fun.
- You're at a party and there's junk food around, simply say "no thank you, I've already eaten."
- You've finished dinner at a restaurant with friends and someone orders dessert then places the bowl in front of you. You could respond with, "I'm not a big fan of chocolate cake, no thanks."
- Everyone at the office is passing around a candy bowl they tell you just one piece won't hurt, you could go so far as to tell say "I'm allergic or diabetic, thanks but no thanks."
Like I said, get creative and have fun with it. After hearing the same pressures over and over that's about all you can do to keep from getting upset or angry. After all, it's YOUR body and your goals. Nobody can force you to eat anything.
Sabotage #2 - the Anti-Exerciser
Most everyone who knows me knows that working out is just part of my daily regime. Anything else that might happen beyond work or eating is secondary and will be scheduled in around my training. For others out there this is not the case. You may be just starting your exercise program and just starting to reap the rewards of it. What if you have a friend who is constantly trying to get you to skip out on your workouts or cut them short? Simple, don't let them. I can't say I've experienced this myself, but I've seen it happen to others. People will drop off the bandwagon so easily these days. It's like someone mentions happy hour and all of a sudden your weight loss and muscle building dreams are a thing of the past. Here are a couple options to get your buddy to lay off the peer pressure:
- Hey Susie, this Friday is happy hour at the Sugar shack. You have to join!! Simply say, "well, I have to go to the gym FIRST, I could meet you there afterwards."
- You gotta meet me for breakfast at the Pancake House before work. "Actually, why don't you join me for my morning run instead of having a heavy breakfast."
- You don't need to workout, you look great! "Thank you for the compliment, but I look great because I work out."
The situations and scenarios could go on and on. Whatever peer pressure you receive, figure out a way to combat it and don't be afraid of what others will think. In the end you are the one who has to live with you. Do what makes you happy and the others will survive, I promise.
Oh and if you are lucky enough to have others make fun of you for eating healthy foods or eating every couple of hours, just remember that other people put down what they cannot have. Those people don't have the drive, willpower, or determination that you do so don't let them get you down!