As social creatures, we thrive on support and interaction — and anyone who has ever tried to manage their weight can tell you that the journey can be quite challenging if you don’t have somebody to share it with.
Think about the last time you tried to accomplish something difficult — especially long-term. Did you seek out the support of a friend? Family member? Classmate, co-worker or even supervisor? Chances are, you did! Finding support in others is one way that we stay accountable, on-track and encouraged, and that’s why it’s so important to ensure that you’re getting enough of it on the long-term journey with weight and health.
Where Do I Find Support?
First, think about your immediate social circle and the important people in your life. Do they know about your weight management goals? Ask yourself these questions:
- Who do I expect to help me along the way?
- How could they support me?
- Has this person supported me in the past?
If you don’t have a close social circle of people in your life that you’re connected to, think about these others wellsprings of support:
- Support groups (online or in-person)
- Psychologists/Talk Therapists
- Social media
How Do I Get the Help I Need?
There are all different kinds of support, and not all of them will be beneficial to your specific personality and weight management goals.
- Identify Your Needs – Are you looking for words of encouragement? Accountability? Someone to simply listen to your thoughts and feelings? Knowing what you need out of your support system can help you achieve it.
- Communicate Appropriately – Finding times to sit and talk, providing constructive feedback, setting realistic expectations and conveying your attitudes and feelings are all important for getting helpful support.
- Separate Yourself When Needed – Sometimes, your support system may fall through or disappoint you. This is completely normal, but it’s important to take a step back and remember that not everyone can be there for you all of the time in the way you need. When this happens, take some alone time and reflect back on your goals and progress.
- Look to Yourself – Just because we all need support, that doesn’t mean you can’t support yourself in the meantime! Take time to do things you enjoy, give yourself rest when needed and be honest and fair to yourself.
Looking for More Information about Support and Your Weight Management Journey?
You can view the full article from Your Weight Matters Magazine by CLICKING HERE.
