How to Help Your Partner Lose Weight

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By Marilynda
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (5 Ratings)

If extra pounds have crept up on your partner maybe it's time to help him lose weight. Often what we see as encouragement can come off as nagging or critical. So if you are living with an overweight partner and want to help him get healthier and lose weight some of these ideas might help.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

understanding and a willingness to help
unconditional support
love

Step 1

Since nagging and criticizing doesn't work try being a role model. People can genuinely be influenced by the behavior of the people around them. Thinness can be contagious! Making your own healthy changes are often enough to influence your partner into wanting to change too.
Step 2

Be supportive by not bringing tempting snacks into the house. Offer 94% fat free popcorn instead of chips. Keep fruit around for snacking to lessen when temptation hits. Compliment your partner on the efforts he's making. Being supportive can go a long way.
Step 3

Try finding healthier substitutes for certain food favorites. Replace high fat sour cream with either low fat or fat free sour cream or use a low fat yogurt instead if you are having baked potatoes. Replace high fat ice cream with single serving cups or bars (like Skinny Cow or Weight Watchers). Instead of frying chicken make an oven fry version which will save tons of calories as well as being more heart healthy. Grill poultry, burgers or fish and brush with a marinade for flavor. Again saving lots of extra calories.
Step 4

Maybe you could pre-measure his dinner plate. An already full plate will lessen the struggle with willpower and chances are he will be satisfied when he's done.
Step 5

Try to eat home more. Make cooking together a fun experience. You can control portions as well as the ingredients you use when preparing the food you are making.
Step 6

Success makes you want to succeed more. Making even small lifestyle changes (say walking 10 min a day) will give you the desire to keep going.
Step 7

Don't assume you think you know what your partner needs. Ask how you can help.
Step 8

Praise goes a long way especially if your partner is making behavior changes (like giving up beer or ice cream). It will boost their self-esteem and keep up their incentive to continue changing.