Regardless of the reasons for your wife's weight gain, you can be her ally on a weight loss journey. In order to get her to lose weight, you must be able to manage your own expectations. A person can reap the benefits of losing weight by losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of her body weight. This should be done at a rate of one to two pounds per week. Keeping this in mind while you try to convince your wife will help you to ensure that you are able to help her.
Step 1
Explain that you are worried about her health. Being overweight increases the risk of certain cancers, as well as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and heart disease. It can also cause fatigue, menstrual cycle irregularities and fertility problems. Let your wife know that you want her to be around for as long as possible.
Step 2
Resist the urge to tell her that you want her to lose weight so she will look "sexy" or more attractive. This may cause her to resist your efforts. Even if her appearance is your motivation for wanting her to lose weight, it isn't the most effective motivation for her.
Step 3
Eat healthy as a family. Help your wife shop for healthy foods. Cook healthy meals as a family. It is difficult for a person who is trying to lose weight to eat unfamiliar foods while the rest of the family chows down on her favorites. Replace unhealthy foods in the house with healthy foods. Do away with sodas---for the whole family.
Step 4
Plan to get active as a family. Make plans to go for walks or ride bikes along a nature trail. Organize a game of touch football or basketball. Get the entire family involved in the activities. Staying active is an integral part of weight loss.
Step 5
Reward her for her weight loss. These rewards can be subtle. If you notice she is feeling down about her weight loss, send her flowers or run a bubble bath for her. Take her to buy a new dress or outfit after she has lost some weight. If your wife responds well to challenges, offer her rewards as part of a challenge. For example, if she sticks to her weight loss program for a full month, you will take her out for a nice evening.
Step 6
Offer support and encouragement. Losing weight, even if it is only a little, can seem like an uphill battle. Be there for your wife. Listen to her concerns. Offer to follow the same weight loss program she is using.
Step 7
Understand that she will deviate from the plan. It is unrealistic to think that your wife will stay on track with her weight loss program forever. There will be times when she orders a meal that isn't her best option or she may have a "forbidden" dessert. As long as these instances are few and far between, it is fine. Let her use those moments as her own personal rewards.
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