I have to add to this discussion the unhappy fact that opposition to your dieting efforts isn't just a concern for your health. It is very much a CONTROL ISSUE.

Even your nearest and dearest will often try to trip you up out of a desire to maintain the status quo. Yes, that's right -- they don't WANT you to change. People don't like change; they don't like the unknown. What will happen if you lose weight? You may feel sexier and get more compliments -- maybe your spouse or significant other feels threatened by the possibility that you might find someone else.

What if you no longer can be controlled by feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem? Your family has gotten used to pushing certain buttons that make you jump this way or that, but once you start controlling your eating habits you start controlling other phases of your life, too -- and you start cutting the wires to those buttons.

What if your success shows up their lack of effort to better their own health and appearance? Their insecurities become intensified when you accomplish what they haven't.

It's hard to face the fact that people who love you, and whom you love, are the ones who most frequently sabotage you. They may be unconscious of what they're doing; they may tell themselves they're only looking out for your best interests by counseling you to abandon "dangerous" eating habits. Or they may be fully aware of what they're doing and why they're doing it, whether or not they admit it to you.

Whatever, you MUST realize what's at the root of their opposition and stop trying to explain yourself to them. When they ask you about your diet with an attitude of, "I want to know so I can repeat your success," then it's appropriate to discuss the particulars. But you will never convince people with logic when their minds are made up, particularly when they have hidden agendas they're defending. In that case, you're wasting your breath and giving them a chance to plant doubts in your mind.

YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO LET THAT HAPPEN!!! Remember always that you're not just doing this for yourself; you're also doing it for them. To show them what can be done. To keep yourself healthy so you can be with them for a long, long time. To be happy and confident and at peace with yourself, which makes you a better person to be around and a more successful example for your children, your loved ones, your friends.

Don't make the mistake of thinking it's a terrible thing to believe that your loved ones would intentionally sabotage you. Psychologists will tell you that it's almost universally true whenever you change in ANY WAY. Losing weight, especially a significant amount of weight, is a profound change. It would actually be abnormal if your nearest and dearest didn't feel threatened. But you're hurting them as well as yourself if you give in to their fears by going back to the old you.

Just stick to your plan, keep yourself motivated by coming here and if possible starting a low-carb group in your area, or at least find a low-carb buddy or two to support you. In time, your family will come around.

Gina