Obesity is a serious problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 34 percent of adults and 18 percent of teenagers in America are obese. If you know someone who struggles with their weight, there are things you can do to motivate and encourage them to lose a large amount of weight.
Step 1
Help your friend or loved one set a specific goal for weight loss, based on doctor recommendations. Make sure the goal is specific and reachable, and within a realistic time frame. The National Institutes of Health recommends weight loss of about 1 to 2 lbs. per week.
Step 2
Create an environment whenever you are with your friend or loved one that encourages healthy living. When you go out to eat, choose places that have healthy food options. Order healthy foods when you're around your friend. Take walks, go jogging or go to the gym together to encourage physical activity.
Step 3
Help your friend or loved one identify what it is in their life that triggered their weight gain or overeating and how to deal with it. For example, some people overeat as a physical reaction to emotional trauma. Be someone your friend or loved one can turn to for support and a listening ear if they need to talk about personal problems that may be affecting their weight.
Step 4
Reward good behavior and the accomplishments of goals and milestones, but not with food. Take your friend or loved one out for a movie, a shopping spree or a makeover when she meets a short-term weight-loss goal.
Step 5
Don't require weight loss as a prerequisite for affection or intimacy, according to Weight Watchers. Doing so can have the opposite affect, and cause your friend or loved one to turn to food for comfort.
Step 6
Set a weight loss or other fitness goal for yourself. When your friend or loved one knows you're working hard to accomplish a goal for yourself, that may motivate him to do the same.
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