A strong support network can become a valuable resource during your medical weight loss* program. A support network is often comprised of a group of friends, family members, co-workers and others who have had similar experiences to you. This is a place you can turn to for inspiration, motivation and encouragement. Sometimes, members of your support network will even have personal insight or an experience they can share to guide you past an obstacle.
However, a support network won’t create itself. To develop a support network, you need to communicate with those you care about. Communication is a fundamental aspect of human existence, yet it is something we so often overlook or neglect.
Just as you have to polish your diet and exercise habits as you develop a healthier lifestyle, your relationships and mental health will partially depend on your ability to maintain positive communication skills.
Learning to Communicate
Communicating your weight loss* goals is often a stressful process. You put a lot of thought and effort into setting your goals and they are often personal to you. Communicating your weight loss* goals means sharing them with others who might criticize them in some way. However, by communicating your goals you can create a better support network of people who understand what you are working towards and can help you along the way.
The first step to communicating your goals is learning to be confident in them and in yourself. When you are confident, you can seek the opinions of others without wavering in your personal convictions. Once you are confident and ready to share with someone, think about your method of delivery. Sometimes how you say something is more powerful than the words that come out.
Here are several tips for communicating your weight loss* goals:
- Be upfront. Don’t let something sit and bother you for an extended period of time. Let your friends and family members know how they can help you—and what actions aren’t helpful at all.
- Be positive. Your friends and family will use your attitude to gage how they should react. If you are constantly complaining about your “diet,” then they may not be encouraging towards your weight loss* efforts.
- Be open. Talk about your healthy lifestyle changes and medical weight loss* program to let them know what you are doing. Keeping friends and family in the dark won’t help them encourage you.
During your medical weight loss* program, developing good communication with those who you spend the most of your time with will offer those who care about you greater insight into how they can help. Let everyone know exactly what your expectations are, and how they can be a source of encouragement as you make healthy changes in your life.
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