Why my friends have no confidence in me, but should they?????

I am 2.5 years out. Have lost 150+ pounds. Finally, after 35 years of crash dieting, losing and regaining, I have the "tool" I need to never go back. I know that this is a permanant change, for me  and I finally feel free from my food demons for the first time in 35 years. So what is the problem now?? Well, I am glad you asked... I, for some reason, seem to be able to connect with people who are also struggling with the obesity issue. I have always wanted to be a counselor, and never had the confidence to "go for it". I do now. I am starting a "life coach" business specializing in obesity. My goal is to also raise awareness with the "lucky genes" group, which a majority of my friends belong to. I also want to donate a portion of the proceeds to a fund that would allow me to help clients who have made the decision to have surgery, but don't have the funding to do so. I am excited and thrilled to have figured out "What I want to be when I grow up"!! Now, here is the issue....After years of encouraging my friends to "be the best they can be", whether it was working through a bad relationship, going back to college, getting a promotion in their current job etc...I have always encouraged them and spent many hours listening to their issues, letting them bounce ideas off me etc. So where are they now? When I finally have an IDEA?? Well they sure aren't being the supportive bunch they should be, that I can tell you! So at first I got upset, hurt feeling etc. Then I thought, wait a minute, these same group of people have watched me "get excited" about 2,294 diets that "I am starting on Monday" and watched me regain every single pound I lost from every one of these diets, which 95% of all people do!  OK so maybe I will cut them some slack..., but then the "devil" in me says no. I have earned the right to be taken seriously now, for god sakes!! I have lost weight and they know it wasn't easy. I have maintained the weight and that has been even more difficult. I deserve the same respect I have shown them in the past and we all need encouragement. Sometimes I feel like they are not so happy with my new found confidence, and my new life goals, because it takes away from the time I had to concentrate of them..hmmmm. Oh well I hope you all have a fantastic day! Thanks for letting me "vent".....

hi muz!!  all i have to say is.......YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO...don't worry about what others think ..if you believe in yourself, you'll do fine.. and btw, WELCOME and CONGRATS!! keep your head up and hang in there  -hugssss-

Well, it looks like your "friends" are from the "show me" state. There's nothing really wrong with that but it is hurtful if they don't believe in you. Frankly, they don't have to. Clients of yours will have to or they won't be clients.  And they could be jealous of your new-found confidence. It's alot of different things. The human mind does play all sorts of games. I used to hang out with women who were bigger than me. I knew why. Because they made my huge ass look smaller in comparison. So now that I'm small, I make them look gigantic. Seems that they though hanging around with me made them look smaller too...LOL.  You'll be very good at the counciling gig...You've been there and tried every single thing...Go ahead and vent. We listen.

I think your plan is great.  Go for it.  As for friends, always remember that Friends are suppose to make you better than who you are.  They are to love and accept you for who you are Flaws and all.   Try not to read too much into people, you'll go insane.   When you are happy and confident some may see that as a threat.  Others well find you strong and amazing.  Those are who you want.   Alot of time what people say and do is more a reflection of them and not you.  In a simple book called the 4 agreements he talks about this.   You can't take anything personal.  You just can't.  Love yourself and Move forward.  Your FRIENDS well either follow or move on.   It is a sad thought...but it happens.  And if it does just know that more powerful and beautiful people are waiting for someone strong, confident beautiful (inside and out) to enter thier lives. YOUR NEW JOURNEY IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.  GET A FRONT ROW SEAT AND ENJOY THE RIDE AND THE REWARDS.

I think your life coach thing is SO wonderful. I'm a' singing teacher, and I love it for the most part.. but man.. there's nothing I would love MORE than finishing my battle with weight (reaching goal, I know the "battle never really ends, but you know what I mean) and then doing something like that also. and I chuckled at the "...watched me "get excited" about the 2,294 diets that "I am starting on monday".." That comes right out of my life history! I get so excited about the new "diet" and share it with the world! Only  to last a couple days on it, or lose ten lbs and gain 12. So that made me chuckle cause I could soo relate. Follow your heart, dream the impossible dream and do it! leslee

Thanks for all the replies.... It's amazing how this weightloss has changed so many things in my life...I am so thankful for this gift everyday....no matter what "little" problems come up....