How to Talk to Someone Who Needs to Lose Weight: In 5 Understanding Ways.

How do you talk to someone who needs to lose weight? Losing weight is not easy like a walk in the park, as most people presume it to be. It requires dedication, hard work, and consistency to shed a few pounds.

This is why some people may get on board and then fall off track. Trying to talk someone into losing weight isn’t easy. However, that is not to say it is entirely not achievable.

Ask for permission and consent to discuss the issue of losing weight, before talking to someone about it. Try following up with empathic questions about how they generally feel about having such weight.

Be sure to gauge their tone and how they feel about the possibility of losing weight. If they appear irritated, please don’t push it. Continue with kindness and love. Also, suggest possible weight loss methods if they show interest. 

Admittedly, talking to someone about shedding some body pounds isn’t a breeze. Below will be some practical and ideal ways to talk to someone who needs to lose weight in this article. 

  • Ask for Permission

Until the person broaches the subject or shows interest in losing weight, you should not approach them and ask if they need to lose weight. If you feel like they must get the message, try approaching them with kindness and compassion.

The weight loss topic can be the biggest elephant in the room that no one may want to discuss, especially if they are comfortable with their looks. 

Asking for permission to discuss weight loss can go a long way. You should listen to how open they are in advancing the talk. “I’d love to talk to you about this new weight loss hack I want to try; would you come on board?” is the kindest question to ask someone their permission to talk about their weight.

Please don’t appear like you’re shoving the topic inside their throat; you will only get them on the defensive, and they would want to hear about anything you have to tell them.

  • Do not Offer the Solution 

Once the person consents to the topic, you must avoid offering the solution, especially if you are not a seasoned weight loss professional.

Try suggesting ways to lose weight and avoid using bold statements like “you should” or “you need to.” Such statements make you appear more ignorant that they have to make their own choices and define their weight loss journey. 

Try suggesting ways to lose weight without sounding overly aggressive or assertive. The goal is to win them over as effortlessly as possible, and there’s no better way to do it than taking the back seat and letting the person decide independently.

Be patient for the moments they seem interested in the topic, and be sure to get them in their best mood. You may stand a high chance of converting them into motivated individuals who want to shed extra pounds wholeheartedly. 

  • Avoid Harsh or Critical Statements 

You should try as much as you can not to be the fifth-grade body-shaming bully with statements like, “you look hideous with your weight.” you don’t have to shame the person into enforcing your opinion on them.

Instead, being kind with your words will go a long way. You may never know how depressing it feels for them to carry such much weight, and shaming them won’t help either.

Perhaps they haven’t reached the point where they’ve considered losing weight, and your harsh words may even make them irritable and uncomfortable. 

Do not tell the person they need new clothes for not fitting in their current ones. It only makes you come through as rude. That’s downright body shaming and does not sit right for any rational person.

You should also avoid imposing food bans to make them not eat and prevent weight gain – it doesn’t help. It only conveys that their life circles around food, which is shameful. Try to be more considerate, and they’ll get on board. 

  • Ask If You Can Help Them Out

You should sideline yourself as much as possible and act as a resource to them than a solution. Try asking the person if they need any help with ideas on losing weight after expressing their interest.

Avoid pulling yourself into the center of it, barking out solutions, and showing how much you can tell them to lose weight. The good thing is, it is pretty easy to be kind with your words, and finding the right words should not bother you much. 

“Please understand that I’m here for you, whatever you decide to do” can be a more considerate statement. Besides, it lets the person know that you’re always ready to help them out.

should they need a hand with ideas and techniques that facilitate a seamless weight loss journey? Statements like, “why don’t you ask me how you should lose weight? I’m pretty good at that,” won’t make you come through as motivated to help them out.

  • Try Boosting Their Self-Esteem

Boosting the other person’s self-esteem is a prized way of getting them to sign up for the weight loss journey more enthusiastically and confidently.

Letting them know that having much weight isn’t bad as long as they’re willing to lose a bit more can build their confidence. Remember, regardless of shape and form, no one wants to feel bad about their body. 

Preach to them to accept themselves as they are, but you should also be witty with your words not to make them so comfortable. Ensure you sound more genuine but less sarcastic, which is an instant turn-off.

You can get them clothes that fit and make them comfortable to give their self-esteem a shove. Also, use kinder words to express your concern while at it subtly, and don’t appear too provocative. 

  • Focus On Health, Not their Appearance 

While weight loss may be the ultimate goal, it is important to emphasize the importance of healthy habits over just losing weight. Losing weight can be difficult and frustrating.

Focusing solely on the scale can be demotivating. Instead, encourage healthy habits leading to sustainable weight loss over time. It might include eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, and getting enough sleep.

For example, you could say, “Have you considered incorporating more vegetables and fruits into your diet? They can help you feel full without consuming too many calories.”

  • Celebrate their progress

If you’ve already won the person over and they’ve decided to start their weight loss journey, congratulation. Know that it’s not easy convincing someone to get out of their comfort zone and torment their bodies into losing weight.

However, that’s not to say that you should stop at that. Instead, it would help if you stuck by them and let them know you’re ready to help them through their weight loss journey. 

Complement and celebrate their progress, no matter how negligible. Letting them know that their effort is bearing fruit is food enough incentive to fuel them ahead. Ensure that you sound genuine and more pleased about their forward steps. That’ll build more belief and resolve to achieve their weight loss goals finally. 

Conclusion 

Talking to someone who needs to lose weight can be challenging, but it’s important to approach the conversation with empathy, support, and respect.

Focus on the health benefits of weight loss, offer practical help, and be patient and understanding. Remember that everyone’s weight loss journey is different, and it’s essential to be a positive influence rather than a source of criticism or negativity.

Deborah Jones
error: Content is protected !!
Scroll to Top