Yesterday I had a family member ask whether he could join up with the weight loss program. I, of course, am thrilled to help him become healthier and happier.
It is often difficult to approach friends or family about their weight issues. Obviously, anyone who is overweight knows they are overweight...do they really need you to come up to them and say: "Hey...you should lose weight"!? I would dare say that 99.9% of overweight people want to lose weight but there is a great deal of embarrassment and senstivity about approaching this with friends and family.
You risk hurting the person's feelings by trying to discuss the weight issue. It becomes much easier if the person doing the approaching brings it up like this: "Hey...I really want to do something about my weight, and it most definitely helps if people partner with each other for support..interested?" However, if the person doing the approaching does not have a weight issue, then a supportive line such as: "I know this is a sensitive issue, but I love you and feel that I am letting you down if i do not bring this up, but I am concerned that your health may be in jeopardy because of your weight....can i help you at all?"
Think of it: if there are people in your world...family or close friends who are obese and NOT doing something about their weight, are you being negligent in NOT bringing this topic up? If you really loved the person, why would you not try to get involved. If you saw the person about ready to get hit by a car, would you not shout for them to get out of the way?
Yes, it is sensitive and yes it is difficult, but if there are people in your circle who you care lots about and want to help them delay early heart disease, diabetes, stroke, etc, you shoud offer your support and help.
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