According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 35.5 percent of women in the United States are obese and therefore face numerous health risks, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and infertility. Losing weight will help these women be healthier and also probably make them feel better about themselves. You can help motivate an obese woman in her weight-loss efforts. Create a supportive environment by spending time cooking and eating with her, using kind words to encourage her and helping her keep a sense of humor.
Motivating Obese Woman to Lose Weight
Step 1
Shop for healthy fresh foods together.
Step 2
Prepare well balanced, low-calorie meals together.
Step 3
Get moving together. Choose an easy physical activity you both like, such as brisk walking or gardening to burn calories.
Step 4
Encourage her to schedule a visit to her doctor and a registered dietitian before dieting or doing any strenuous physical activity.
Step 5
Remind her that even small weight loss will help reduce her risks for disease, increase her energy and make her feel better.
Step 6
Celebrate with her when she reaches small weight goals as well as the big milestones.
Tips and Warnings
- Many obese women report experiencing weight bias at work, home or school. Experiencing discrimination based on weight can affect their emotional and physical health, which also can have an effect on their motivation to get to their healthy weight. Use positive, nonjudgmental language about body size and weight, and focus your interactions on improving health rather than simply losing weight.
- Obesity is best treated under the care of professionals such as physicians, registered dietitians and physical therapists. Encourage obese women to seek professional care for treatment of obesity and obesity-related disease.
Member Comments