Even if you’re adhering to the best diet plan and the most effective exercise routine, if the people around you aren’t providing you with a strong support network, you may still find it difficult to succeed at losing weight.
If you are concerned that your friends and family may not be the most supportive group, don’t fret. We can help you to find the encouragement you deserve and require.
Spell it out.
If your spouse or kids haven’t been providing the sort of support you want, it may be because they don’t know what you hope to get from them. Sit down with your family and explain what they can do to help you. Be as specific as possible. For example, you might say, “It would help if you could ask me twice a week how I’m doing on my diet,” or “Please, try to tell me I’m doing really well at least once a day.”
Remind them that actions speak louder than words.
Make sure your friends and family are aware that it’s not just their words that can help or hinder your efforts, but their actions, too. Explain how eating ice cream in front of you makes it harder for you to keep your resolve, while helping you prepare meals or eating the foods you do, can go a long way to helping you succeed. You may be surprised at how much your loved ones are willing to do to help.
Double or triple up.
Don’t rely too heavily on one person. No matter how close you are, he or she won’t be around all the time. Instead, round up support from several sources. It’s okay to ask three different friends to call and check in with you once a week. If you feel you need more accountability, have each friend ask you what you ate that day. Your best bet is to recruit one support person from home, one from work and one you see socially.
Recruit a buddy.
Perhaps the best way to elicit strong support from someone close to you is to go through the experience together. If your spouse or a good friend needs to lose some weight, too, encourage him or her to start the diet with you. Explain that doing it as a team would be a good experience and that you could help each other with meal planning, etc. When the going gets tough, you’ll have each other to lean on.
Support yourself.
Don’t forget one very important person in this network – you! You can be your own biggest cheerleader by patting yourself on the back when you’ve done well, rewarding yourself with a manicure or an outfit in a smaller size when you’ve had a good week and just keeping a positive attitude overall. Remind yourself that you should be proud of every good meal you eat and each exercise session you complete.
Peer Support.
Whatever your situation, our community forums give you the encouragement and motivation you need, when you need it. Our forums are full of people going through the same experiences and with our Circle of Friends, you can set up your own private support group. Every week one of our support team will host an online meeting, so you can pop in to the meeting if you wish to have a chat with one of our qualified nutritionists.