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Ustream -
Show notes:
Why support?
* the obvious answer is because you love them
* however there is "something in it for you" as well
o a friend/spouse/partner with more energy
o a friend/spouse/partner potentially happier
o a friend/spouse/partner who is healthier and may go to the doctor less often
o a friend/spouse/partner who may want to engage in more activities with you
Examples of how to be supportive:
* Support their Food Choice
o Asking which foods they would like purchased or NOT purchased
o if you share the cooking duties, learn how to cook their plan
* Allowing time for exercise session and reasonably accommodating it
o If it takes taking on additional responsibilities (cooking, laundry, taking care of the children alone, grocery shopping), do it
o the time you give for success should reap you rewards
* Being interested but not intrusive on progress or the plan
o you are not the weight loss police
o don't make the weight loss the only focus of the relationship
o don't routinely ask "how much weight have you lost today?" — rely on them to tell you
* Understand the emotional side of weight loss - I've talked about this in my emotional or psychological aspects of weight loss video
o Theirs — perhaps more irritable, more tired, grouchy, depression, or really happy — in the words of Red Hot Chili Pepper, it's a "Rollercoaster of Love"
o Yours- envy (focus elsewhere or of their success), feelings of loss (loss of old lifestyle or routines)
* Be an example
o eat the right foods yourself
o exercise - either together or by yourself
o don't challenge them verbally with your example (like I said in my intro, be a silent example)
* Ultimate Don'ts
o nag - you should not ask "should you really eat that?"
o criticize - their body image or even potentially their manner of weight loss
o tempt - don't offer them something that is not on their plan or say only one bite shouldn't hurt you
o get jealous - as your spouse loses the weight, they may get additional attention.
+ Be aware that at their core, they remain the same person you married.
+ trust them
+ don't feel challenged by the weight loss
o make fun activities - weight loss activities (time together should not only be workout sessions — sometimes biking or walking together can just be that)
* Finally, remember their success or failure ultimately is a personal thing.
o You can not make them succeed or fail.
o You can however set the stage for that success or failure. It is up to them to carry it through.
o The success is theirs alone.
Tag: atkins
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