It is a very sensitive issue when a loved one, whether it be a spouse, child or close friend is overweight and you are concerned about their health/wellness and are not sure whether you have a "responsibility" to become involved.
If you are overweight as well, it becomes easier because then the approach cab be something like.."I am very concerned about my weight and I am going to become very proactive in losing this weight and making myself healthier and happier. How about we both do this together?"
If you do not have a weight issue, this becomes a much more sensitive arena, espeially when it is a spouse, because you fear hurting his/her feelings if you bring up the weight problem.
Please remember that in many cases, overweight people do not see themselves as being overweight. As weird as that sounds, there are many of my patients who tell me that the weight increase "sneaks up on them" and it takes seeing a picture of themselves to make them aware of the weight problem.
Approaching a loved one and intervening with their weight problem can be a life-saving intervention. If you saw a loved one about ready to accidentally get hit by a car, would you not shout and try your very hardest to keep them out of harms way? Why is being silent about a loved one's life-threatening weight problem be any different?
Be supportive, caring , non-judgemental, but do become involved.
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