by Jeannette Payne

Created on: May 23, 2009

It can be really difficult to help someone lose weight. Depriving someone of something they crave such the sweet milk chocolate or that tasty bagel with cream cheese can put anyone into a less than happy mood. However, helping someone else lose the weight is not as difficult as what the dieter has to put up with, and you will need to keep that in mind for those rough days.

Once you know for sure that they want the help, the first thing you need to do is encourage them. Psychologically, dieting is a hard task for most people, and sometimes can be quite discouraging. Healthy dieting takes a longer time to show results than any crash diet. The dieter may start to wonder about the point of it all and you will need to remind them that it isn't even all about the weight - it is more about a healthier lifestyle.

By sharing some of their diet experience you can be a big help too, but you need to understand the components of their diet. They may be cutting out specific foods, but including others that you might not expect them to. Ask them about the particulars of their diet, and the goals that they have set for themselves. When you know this, you can make it a little easier for sharing with them the healthier lifestyle. For example, if you go out for a meal, you can suggest a restaurant that offers healthier choices, and you can both order a meal that goes according to the diet. The dieter will appreciate this because there is nothing worse than forcing yourself to eat a salad while watching someone else eat a greasy burger or a piece of cheesecake.

Everyone has their bad days, but understand that they feel even worse when you can't have your favorite comfort food. The dieter will need someone to talk to, and someone to show support. They don't necessarily want advice, but just someone to share their burden with. It is especially important during these times.

Another way to support them is to celebrate their little achievements along the way. Not by eating out, but maybe with a card, a movie, or something where there is little temptation to eat the wrong things. These small gestures boost the confidence and give a little extra motivation to keep them going.

Going out and doing activities with the dieter is a fun way not just to hang out, but to encourage a healthier lifestyle. Discuss various activities that each enjoys such as walking, bowling, tennis etc., and decide on a schedule to do these things. It will be something to look forward to and a fun way to burn calories.

By doing all these things, the dieter will know that you genuinely want to help, and really care about their success. This alone can be a motivation. By doing these things together you can each enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.

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