Today I went to see my other 'Stephen' friend that I haven't seen in 3 months. He said he could see the weight I'd lost in that time, in both my face and body. Congratulated me on my hard work and we chatted about the how's and why's. Then he suggested some free places for me to walk, work out that some of his hockey buddies go, places I'd forgotten about.
More important, not once did he tell me how to lose more weight 'his way'. Not once did he make me feel stupid about how I was losing the weight. Not once did he turn it into anything sexual. Not once did he pressure me to increase either the weight of my dumbbells or decrease the amount of food I ate daily.
But instead, he did ask about my mental health, physical health, and my future goals. That's why he's my friend.
In a world full condescending, demeaning assholes ...
be a Stephen.