Family and Friends: Support or Sabotage?

Having a strong support system when you are losing weight, especially when you are learning to maintain your new lower weight, is critical!  That's why coming to the support group can be so helpful.  Sharing your challenges, getting help from others who have been through it, along with helping others by sharing your experience can help you cement the changes you are making in your life and health.

As your body changes, you may also find your primary relationships changing.  A spouse who was initially supportive may suddenly become critical and try to get you to go off your plan.  Other family members may try to convince you that you look too thin and that what you're doing isn't really healthy.  When this happens, it's so easy for us to go right back into our old ways of thinking and reacting.  We think what they are saying has to do with us, and it can be confusing.

In reality, it usally has more to do with them than with you.  Your weight loss is making them uncomfortable.  You are changing, and they are worried about how that change will affect the dynamics of your relationship with them.  If your relationship has been based on the social aspects of eating, it is likely that will change for you.  You will no longer be able to spend your time eating out every night or basing your entire social life on eating.

However, it doesn't mean you have to give up those personal relationships.  It may mean you will have to have honest discussions with those close to you about how important your lifestyle changes are to you AND YOUR HEALTH.  Perhaps you can introduce new activities into the mix--going to see a play in the evening or walking in the park on a beautiful day.

Once again, awareness is the key.  Being aware of how your changes are affecting others in your immediate world can allow you to deal with their confusion about where they fit in your new lifestyle.  And, this allows you to be supported on your journey to optimal health!