HELP, how do you deal with negative people?

Yeah seriously...I just don't get it. I have never had any "negative" people in my life because frankly, I don't put up with that **** You would do it once and I would say "Buh bye!" and never talk to your butt again! (Or Gibbs slap the hell out of you).... "You" figuratively" meaning someone who talked like they did to you.

All my life my being overweight turned me into the OPPOSITE of being "shy" and "submissive". I am and always was a cynic and never trusted anyone and never let anyone close. I thought ALL people were out to burn me and so I either burned them first or was just polite and never told ANYONE my business about anything.

It wasn't until I met my husband that I slowly learned to trust people, and even then most people I don't. Burn me once, shame on you...Burn me twice...Shame on me ;)

Honestly....? Just don't put up with the crap. Seriously. Dump that person as a friend/associate or don't speak to them about anything anymore.
Warmly,
Jackie

 Thanks. I like your tough talk. I have been the opposite, wanting to avoid conflict and have everybody get along. Part of my family dynamic, still going on. None of the negative has affected my resolve. In fact, it has made it clearer that I am doing the right thing.

Wendy, the awesome thing about refusing to listen to the negativity is that it really does avoid a lot of conflict in the long run.  You have to screw up your courage and say, out loud, one time, "Thanks for your concern but it's not up for discussion."  But after that, it's done, it's over, it's not a conflict or a controversy any more!  

I have a dear friend who is quite a bit younger than I am, and of normal weight, and a professional dancer/dance teacher, of all things.  She was very negative about the surgery.  At my last dance class before the surgery, she said "For the record, I don't think you're that big and I don't approve."  I just smiled and said "For the record, your objection is noted."  And that was it.  I felt absolutely zero need to convince her that I was right, or that I was making a good decision, or anything.  I just needed to not discuss it with her!

Strangely enough, these days she is the one and only person in my life who is starting up with the "you need to stop losing soon because you'll get too thin!"  And I use the same technique:  "Your concern is noted."  And I change the subject and get on with my life.

Good luck!  You are going to be fine!!

 Thank you for your thoughtful reply. (Awesome avatar, by the way). Things have been better with my friend and we don't talk about it. She knows my mind is made up. She even joked recently and said she refuses to eat pureed food, so I know she has done some research.

Hey, that's great news!  :)