peer pressure

Has anyone else noticed that while there is strong pressure in our society to look good (a la fashion magazines, etc.), there is also nearly equal pressure to eat whatever we want to (and by "whatever we want to", I mean unhealthy, fat filled foods)?

I have noticed, during my challenge to eat less sugar and processed foods, that there is immense pressure for me to eat poorly. At work, people say, "Come on, Holli! You know you need a treat!" "This chocolate will make you feel better!" If I didn't know any better, I would think I dropped into a drug treatment center where peer pressure was rampant.

People don't want to respect my desire to improve my health. I don't get it. If I said I don't eat chocolate for religious reasons, they'd back off. If I didn't eat chocolate because was allergic, they'd feel sorry for me. But if I say I don't eat chocolate anymore for my health...they feel more than free to sabotage my health.

Wrong? Ironic? Yes! But that's the way America is. And that's why 2 out of 3 of us are overweight.