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Are You Still Doing That 'No Meat' Thing?One of the first things that people ask me when I tell them that I am a vegetarian is "What do you eat?". While most will just leave it there after my all-too-detailed answer, a small minority will prod further "Oh, that doesn't sound too healthy..." "You must be eating ALL carbs then!" "Where are you getting your protein?!" The prevalence of obesity in my current workplace is staggering. While I am, by no means, anyone to point a finger or criticise others for their health; I work with several individuals who would fall into the 'high-risk' category for imminent health problems. I have experienced the majority of my fat loss at this current position, so one might think that others would be curious as to how I did it. 
...Nope, mentioning 'the V-word' immediately turns off most people, so I don't talk about it at work anymore unless people ask me. When we have the occasional company lunch together, I will get asked "Are you still doing that no meat thing?....Wow, I couldn't do that." Then I will sit quietly while these ladies go on about their low-carb diets or weight watchers point-system. "I'm doing really good [sic] !" they will say, because they have seen a change in the scale after a few weeks of deprivation and no overall change in lifestyle. I work with two women that are literally pushing the 300 pound mark, who I believe need more dramatic action than the one month a year that they decide to eat romaine lettuce and grilled chicken. I hope that I do not sound bitter, I really harbor no ill-will towards my colleagues or to anyone else who may need a change in their life. However, I have become slightly jaded due to my repeated attempts to offer advice to those who are unwilling or unable to listen. Recently, I have found myself quietly declining these invitations to join others for lunch. I really have no interest in ordering a full take-out meal on a Monday afternoon. Although I am by far the youngest person in my office, I feel that I am the only one who is mature enough to realize that and who is attempting to be responsible in my eating habits. "No thanks, I'm on a diet", I say politely as the lunch menus get passed around. I see the sneers as I utter these words. - "What are you talking about?!? You don't need to lose any weight!", they retort. "Exactly." I say with a non-condescending smile.
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