As indicated by the increasing obesity rates in America, losing weight is often a difficult journey. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, “More than one-fourth of the nation’s counties had self-reported adult obesity rates of 35 percent or higher.” Due to the many challenges associated with weight loss, having a strong support system is important. These tips for supporting someone who is trying to lose weight will help improve your loved one’s chances of success.
Don’t be controlling
If you play the role of the food police, the person who is trying to lose weight can become stressed and frustrated. Avoid denying their access to fattening foods or guilt-tripping them for making unhealthy choices, as this can come off as judgmental. Instead, you should support them by allowing them to remain in control of their own dietary choices.
Participate in their weight loss program
Becoming an active participant in your friend or family member’s weight loss plan is one of the most impactful ways to help them achieve their fitness goals. Whether you’re already living a healthy lifestyle or would like to get in better shape as well, offering to work out with them or help them prepare healthy meals will provide a positive example and show your active support.
Be positive
Embarking on a weight loss journey can be challenging, and it can affect one’s confidence at times. As such, it’s important to encourage your loved one’s efforts even if they aren’t seeing the results they want or have slipped up a few times. Showing them that you believe in their ability to achieve their health goals and remaining positive during difficult times will help prevent them from giving up.
Don’t expose them to temptation
If your loved one is on a diet, try not to indulge in unhealthy foods around them. Exposing them to temptation will make them more likely to stray from their goals, which can lead to discouraging setbacks. Even just offering them a seemingly harmless bite of unhealthy food can impact their weight loss journey, so it’s important not to tempt them.
Focus on health rather than on weight loss
Focusing on the numbers on a scale can lead to unhealthy or restrictive habits. Even if your loved one’s goal is to lose a certain number of pounds, try to keep the overall focus of their weight loss plan on getting healthy. Getting in shape has several benefits aside from looking slimmer: it can give you more energy, decrease your risk of disease, and prolong your life. By focusing on these advantages, your loved one will be more likely to make long-term healthy choices rather than obsess over a certain number.
If you or someone you know is struggling to lose weight, Libertyville Wellness Group offers a variety of individualized weight loss services that help people shed an average of three to seven pounds each week. In addition, we also offer laser liposuction, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and acupuncture, and we are staffed with experienced massage therapists and chiropractors in Grayslake, IL.
