Want to really bring out the worst in family and friends? According to the book, The Sugar Solution (Sari Harrar and the editors of PREVENTION), just lose weight. Harrar says the problem usually starts because we're in change mode (and darned happy to be there), but our friends and family aren't.

In fact one survey of 24,000 overweight folks reported that losing weight created problems in their relationships that regaining the weight would have solved.

"Rarely would a real friend malevolently undermine your diet," says nutrition professor Audrey Cross, Rutgers University PhD. "They just do unconscious things to keep the relationship the way it was - that's where the comfort is."

There are lots of reasons why. Perhaps they feel guilty, or maybe they miss sharing food with you. Whatever the reason, though, we need to protect ourselves from these often well-meaning sabateurs. Here are some healthier, lower-calorie options when friends or family are doing their best to entice us.

Instead of scarfing down wings and blue cheese at the restaurant, let's just choose some healthier food. Most restaurants today have "healthy choice" options on their menus.

Instead of ordering our own dessert, let's share, having only a forkful or two, then spend the rest of the time savoring and marveling out loud how yummy it is.

Instead of a typical hour-long business lunch, let's eat a quick lunch then go for a walk - continuing the business talk as we walk.

Instead of a girls' night out at a restaurant or bar, let's try going to a spa for a manicure and pedicure; we can talk our heads off, have a great time, and protect our hard-fought weight loss at the same time.

Instead of a guys' night out, try playing a pickup basketball game at the gym.

Instead of indulging in a candy bar or other high- and empty-calorie treats with friends, let's try dipping strawberries in chocolate. We'll still get the chocolate kick but some vitamins and minerals along the way.

And one last technique I use that always works when folks are tenaciously trying to foist something on me that I just shouldn't eat: I frankly tell them "That (whatever the food is) could put me in the hospital - I deal with blood sugar issues and I have to be hyper-careful about what I eat." Unless they're Attilla the Hun-types, they back right off and move into supportive roles. While folks struggle to support our weight-loss efforts, they are usually good about supporting our health-care efforts, so pull this card if you need to.