weight loss and sabotage

Yesterday I was thrilled to have 2 patients come in and refer to chocolate as "saboteurs".

Sabotaging of your weight loss efforts by friends or family can be disruptive to meeting your goals. Yesterday I had a patient tell me that she told her mother, before February 14, NOT to give her candy as a holiday recognition. It would seem intuitive for people around you to respect your weigth loss efforts and not do anything to try to derail your plans. However, nurturing being what it always has been, parents and friends will provide calories as a form of love and recognition. Taking a step back, providing this to an overweight individual would be akin to handing an alcoholic a drink, but society does not look at this action in the same vane.

Please be upfront and direct with your friends, family and co-workers and explain that you are on a weight loss mission so you can be happier and healthier and you would greatly appreciate their help along the way. That "help" can be nothing more than NOT tempting you with food sources that will make you fail in your efforts to be healthier and happier. When framed this way, there is no way that anyone in your sphere who cares about you would do such. This will in fact make it easier for you.

Do not "hide" from people your intentions to lose weight...make it known. You will get support along the way which can be of great help!