The Glycemic Index Diet for Dummies (82 page)
Be honest with your spouse.
If your spouse continues to bring home tempting foods, be honest. Let him or her know these particular foods are a little too tempting for you and find some treats you can both agree on so your spouse doesn't feel deprived and you can stay on track.
Creating your own support group
If you c
an't find the right friends or family members, try making some new friends by putting together your own support group that meets on a regular basis.
Start by looking around at work or any place where you may have met someone who's also working toward specific health goals and following a low-glycemic diet. Even if you find only one person, that individual may know someone else who knows another person. Before you know it, you have a small support group! Plan to meet once a week for a walk to discuss your latest wins and challenges while squeezing in a little exercise at the same time.
Getting support from peers who are going through similar experiences is so valuable and very different than the type of support you can get from others who aren't on the same path.
Surfing the Web for Information, Motivation, and Support
Thanks to the Internet, a wealth of peer and professional support is virtually available at your fingertips. Of course, there's some bad information out there too, and sometimes negative people hop on group forums and ruin the supportive vibe. The sections that follow describe some great places to find advice and support on the Internet, as well as some issues to beware of as you surf the Web.
Exploring educational Web sites
Some peo
ple don't need personal interaction to get that extra motivation they're looking for. All they really need is information, which is when educational Web sites prove quite helpful. These sites provide information and often anecdotal stories from people just like you. You can often find quick answers to questions or just read articles to help you get inspired again.
There's so much to sift through on the Internet that I thought I'd give you a few trusted sites for obtaining information on a low-glycemic diet. (
Note:
For the last two sites, you'll need to search for "low-glycemic diet" on the home page.)
Want to find trustworthy educational Web sites on your own? Here are a few tips:
Go to professional Web sites run by researchers or other healthcare professionals.
Although personal Web sites operated by individuals who've seen results following a low-glycemic diet may be helpful, you can't always be certain that the information on these sites is the most accurate. Professional Web sites, on the other hand, are always reliable. Bookmark your favorite sites so you can find them quickly and visit them regularly.
Look for a newsletter and sign up.
Just because a newsletter comes from a professional Web site doesn't mean the information in it is stuffy. Newsletters from educational Web sites are perfect for receiving regular updates, articles, and inspiration to help you stay motivated.
Getting involved with group forums and message boards
One great advantage of the Internet, especially if you're having a hard time finding a supportive environment at home, is the ability to find support through group forums and/or message boards. Of course, you may have to participate in a few before you find the right one.
There are good reasons to use message boards and forums as well as bad ones. The good reasons for using message boards and forums are to
Obtain general support for motivation and inspiration:
Sometimes you just need a little motivation, especially if you've had setbacks. Simply reading others' stories or reaching out for help can turn matters around for you.