samira ali
27-05-2006, 09:06 AM
Is someone you love battling the bulge, and you feel helpless to help them? Or maybe you're the dieter, with a partner, best friend, or parent who just can't seem to understand what you need to succeed?
Everyone has different needs when they go on a diet -- some people want you to stay on their case, others need the opposite -- and you won't know that unless you ask.
As a person begins to assert more control over their eating habits, many people need and want less input from others, so be sensitive to the signs that they want to assume more control.
Top 10 Ways to Help a Dieter Succeed
1. Be a cheerleader, not a coach. "You don't want to find faults with what the dieter is doing,".Instead, you want to encourage and cheer on the things they are doing right. That means applauding them for reaching goals, or even for trying. And don't dwell on goals they haven't met, particularly if they don't bring them up.
2. Become an active part of their program. "Volunteer to eat some of their diet foods with them, or at least taste the dishes they prepare.
3. Help develop healthy incentives. If the dieter has met a goal for the week or month, Waugh advises, plan a celebratory activity that doesn't focus on food.
4. Show them you care about the person, not the diet. "The idea here is to pull up real close to them, but not about the issue of dieting, Let them see you care about them overall, and not just about their weight problems. let them know they can count on your caring and your participation in their life -- no matter what their size.
5. When they've had a bad day, listen but don't judge. "Ask them about their progress, and be there to listen if they have faltered
6. Be "aggressively supportive. Don't wait for the dieter to come after you for support. Let them know that you are there, and wanting to help.
7. Find non-food ways to celebrate the small goals along the way. Be creative in finding ways to celebrate the dieter's successes. Bring them flowers, pay for a manicure, treat them to a golf game, movie, or sporting event -- just don't focus the celebration on eating.
8. Encourage a healthy lifestyle, not just weight loss. Don't just tell someone they need to walk more, offer to walk with them …. The point here is to encourage a healthy lifestyle overall by making it a part of the time you spend together.
9. Learn about their weight loss program. Make an effort to learn as much about their diet plan as you can -- If you learn about their diet plan you won't have to ask them as many questions, and more of their behaviors and choices may make more sense
10. Be positive! If the dieter stumbles, and feels bad about themselves, remind them of their other accomplishments and encourage them to move forward -- and whatever you do, don't throw in the towel with them, no matter how discouraged they may sound,
What Not to Do
While it's vital for family and friends to concentrate on the positive things that can help a dieter, it's also important to check some negative habits at the door. This check list of what not to do when someone you love is on a diet:
1. Don't tempt them. Respect the dieter's food choices, and don't tempt them with a "bite" or a "nibble. Not only can this take the dieter off track, at the end of the week, bites and nibbles add up and can sabotage a weight loss plan
2. Don't become the "food police. Don't take on the role of reciting out loud everything a person eats, or locking away food you think they shouldn't have, or reprimanding them for eating the "wrong" thing.
3. Don't say anything to the dieter you wouldn't want said to you. While you may not be struggling with a weight problem yourself, think of a challenge you're trying to overcome, then think about how you'd feel if someone was "in your face" about it.
4. Don't use judgmental language. Avoid phrases such as 'Did you stick to the plan today?' Or 'You should have been more careful,' or 'Why did you eat that?' You are not the umpire of their life, so remember it's not your role to criticize or judge,
5. Don't overdo -- anything! Don't bombard the dieter with weight loss books and articles, subscriptions to fitness magazines, or low-calorie ****books unless they say that's what they want.
Ma2ool
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic
Everyone has different needs when they go on a diet -- some people want you to stay on their case, others need the opposite -- and you won't know that unless you ask.
As a person begins to assert more control over their eating habits, many people need and want less input from others, so be sensitive to the signs that they want to assume more control.
Top 10 Ways to Help a Dieter Succeed
1. Be a cheerleader, not a coach. "You don't want to find faults with what the dieter is doing,".Instead, you want to encourage and cheer on the things they are doing right. That means applauding them for reaching goals, or even for trying. And don't dwell on goals they haven't met, particularly if they don't bring them up.
2. Become an active part of their program. "Volunteer to eat some of their diet foods with them, or at least taste the dishes they prepare.
3. Help develop healthy incentives. If the dieter has met a goal for the week or month, Waugh advises, plan a celebratory activity that doesn't focus on food.
4. Show them you care about the person, not the diet. "The idea here is to pull up real close to them, but not about the issue of dieting, Let them see you care about them overall, and not just about their weight problems. let them know they can count on your caring and your participation in their life -- no matter what their size.
5. When they've had a bad day, listen but don't judge. "Ask them about their progress, and be there to listen if they have faltered
6. Be "aggressively supportive. Don't wait for the dieter to come after you for support. Let them know that you are there, and wanting to help.
7. Find non-food ways to celebrate the small goals along the way. Be creative in finding ways to celebrate the dieter's successes. Bring them flowers, pay for a manicure, treat them to a golf game, movie, or sporting event -- just don't focus the celebration on eating.
8. Encourage a healthy lifestyle, not just weight loss. Don't just tell someone they need to walk more, offer to walk with them …. The point here is to encourage a healthy lifestyle overall by making it a part of the time you spend together.
9. Learn about their weight loss program. Make an effort to learn as much about their diet plan as you can -- If you learn about their diet plan you won't have to ask them as many questions, and more of their behaviors and choices may make more sense
10. Be positive! If the dieter stumbles, and feels bad about themselves, remind them of their other accomplishments and encourage them to move forward -- and whatever you do, don't throw in the towel with them, no matter how discouraged they may sound,
What Not to Do
While it's vital for family and friends to concentrate on the positive things that can help a dieter, it's also important to check some negative habits at the door. This check list of what not to do when someone you love is on a diet:
1. Don't tempt them. Respect the dieter's food choices, and don't tempt them with a "bite" or a "nibble. Not only can this take the dieter off track, at the end of the week, bites and nibbles add up and can sabotage a weight loss plan
2. Don't become the "food police. Don't take on the role of reciting out loud everything a person eats, or locking away food you think they shouldn't have, or reprimanding them for eating the "wrong" thing.
3. Don't say anything to the dieter you wouldn't want said to you. While you may not be struggling with a weight problem yourself, think of a challenge you're trying to overcome, then think about how you'd feel if someone was "in your face" about it.
4. Don't use judgmental language. Avoid phrases such as 'Did you stick to the plan today?' Or 'You should have been more careful,' or 'Why did you eat that?' You are not the umpire of their life, so remember it's not your role to criticize or judge,
5. Don't overdo -- anything! Don't bombard the dieter with weight loss books and articles, subscriptions to fitness magazines, or low-calorie ****books unless they say that's what they want.
Ma2ool
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic