Having an overweight friend or family member can make you worried for his health. Being overweight can put a loved one at risk for myriad health problems. But simply telling a friend he needs to lose weight can be detrimental to his self-confidence and your cause. By placing the emphasis on a healthy lifestyle over weight loss and committing to work together, you can help someone lose weight and develop healthy habits for life.
Step 1
Ask your loved one if she'd like to work on her level of fitness and eating habits along with you. Just telling your friend that she needs to diet can make her feel ostracized. By mentioning that you were thinking of registering for a fitness class, eating healthier or exercising every day, you help your friend feel included and enthused about lifestyle changes. If you make the commitment to exercise together, follow through and be there for her.
Step 2
Act as a cheerleader for your friend's weight loss. The road will be long and likely riddled with various successes and failures. Nagging at your friend or becoming a strict coach can affect your friend's self-esteem. This can create a harmful cycle of poor eating, inactivity and low confidence. Instead, stay positive. If your friend suffers a failure like skipping the gym or binging, be supportive without being accusatory.
Step 3
Check in with your friend on a daily basis through phone, email, text or instant messaging. Weight loss can be difficult, especially if your friend doesn't feel accountable for his success. By checking in and asking your friend how he's feeling and if he wants to work out with you later, he learns that he'll be accountable to you. This can inspire better daily actions that turn into daily habits.
Step 4
Help your friend avoid certain temptations. If you're going out to eat, look for restaurants that offer healthy options and order one yourself. Suggest going for a walk at night rather than heading to the movies. Go to the mall and window shop, parking as far away from the building as possible. This gives your friend chances to keep her body moving without your being obvious about the changes.
Step 5
Offer rewards and incentives for weight-loss success, both large and small. If your friend calls you to tell you that he can fit into a size smaller pants, offer to go out for a celebratory frozen yogurt. If he's lost 10 lbs., show up at his house with the latest fitness gadget. Knowing that he has a supportive friend who is appreciative of his progress can help your friend stay upbeat and positive in order to become successful in weight loss.
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