We all know how difficult dieting can be: the cravings, the pitfalls, the despair and elation, and the feelings of guilt. So we can empathize and support our fellow Divas who are going through their own weight loss journeys.
If your pal has chosen to lose weight, it’s a great time to be a cheerleader for her (as long as she’s choosing a healthy path of weight loss!). Here are some tips that you can follow to support her in her journey.
Keep It Positive. Diets are often preceded by feelings of guilt, low self-esteem, and despair. We feel bad about ourselves and want to do something to fix it quickly. If your friend is expressing feelings like this, keep it positive. Tell her she looks great whatever her size, but that youΓÇÖll support her through her diet.
Understand What Diet Path She Has Chosen. Look at the best diets for 2017 to understand what diet path she has chosen, what will have the greatest impact and if it’s healthy. This way, you’ll be educated with answers to encourage her if she has a weak moment, and be able to support her with her choice.
DonΓÇÖt Endorse Unhealthy Choices. When you first embark on a lifestyle change, itΓÇÖs easy to get carried away. ThereΓÇÖs a temptation to skip a few meals to help things along or to skimp on the calories. This is not only unhealthy, but it can have the opposite effect. If your body doesnΓÇÖt know when the next meal is coming, it will slow down its metabolism to compensate and store energy. ItΓÇÖs also not sustainable and is likely to lead to bouts of overeating. Encourage her to stick to a healthy diet and lose weight gradually.
Be Sensitive. If you go out together for a meal, itΓÇÖs not helpful if you hit the dessert cart and order a large, calorific piece of cake. SheΓÇÖs more likely to cave and order one too. Be sensitive. You can always eat dessert later at home, but for now, help support her choices.
Be There When ItΓÇÖs Not Working. Weight fluctuates, and this becomes more noticeable when youΓÇÖre dieting and keeping an eye on the scales. ItΓÇÖs natural that there will be some weeks when weight loss is minimal, or there is no change. Be supportive when this happens, and if it occurs regularly, you can try and help her figure out the reason if she asks.
Get Involved. Exercise can be tedious; thereΓÇÖs no escaping that. However, if you partner up and do it together, it can be much more fun. Suggest you get together and go swimming, or for a game of tennis, etc. This will benefit you both from a health perspective, and youΓÇÖll have fun doing it.
DonΓÇÖt Be Judgmental. YouΓÇÖre a supporter, not a judge. So, if your friend makes unhealthy decisions or you donΓÇÖt agree with her choices, donΓÇÖt be critical. Your job is to encourage and be supportive. DonΓÇÖt dwell on the negatives, especially if she doesnΓÇÖt bring them up.
Celebrate The Triumphs. This is the fun part! When your friend reaches a significant milestone, celebrate with her. Try and remember how difficult it is to lose weight and keep it off. Celebrate those successes as if they were your own with a trip to the nail salon, a shopping spree for new clothes or a great outdoor activity that burns even more calories!
The best way you can help a friend is to be supportive and encouraging, but not too pushy. Be the best friend you’ve always been!
