“Not for me thanks”.
Be aware of validating your health choices as it often encourages social pressure.
Being skillfully equipped and confident in handling social pressure is a key tool to sticking to your goals and enjoying your life.
Handling social pressure is simpler (not easier) than we think.
A simple “not for me thanks” will almost always do the trick. The trouble starts to brew when we expand and validate/justify our choices. Explaining why you’re doing what you’re doing invites a host of judgment and opinions which is dangerous for 1 key reason…
The other person.
If the person you’re validating your choices to has different viewpoints, narratives, experiences, and desired outcomes (usually to not feel guilty about their choices by getting everyone around them to do what they are doing) then you’re going to be fighting a losing battle that you just don’t need to be involved in. In this scenario, less is more.
“I’m ok thanks.”
“Not for me thank you.”
“Thanks for your input.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“No.”
Though we maybe don’t invite it, there are ways we can avoid encouraging social pressure. If you want to stick with your plan and still hang with friends you 110% can, and it helps to be prepared not just tactically, but emotionally too. You might actually frustrate someone, or receive some negative attention - and as tough as that is, it’s not about you. You don’t have to validate your own health and fitness behaviors and values to anyone. (You only #YOLO once remember.)
Speaking with and hearing feedback from clients about scenarios like this highlight one common theme above all others - don’t validate. Say “no thank you”, and if you get questioned on it, then that’s about them. A simple no thank you with an “I’d rather not talk about it thanks” is all it takes.
You got this.
