Weight loss is all about accountability. But, who do you keep accountable to? Some experts say you need to check in with a personal trainer, nutritionist or support group. At the very least, you should tell people you love that you are trying to lose weight.
Telling your loved ones does not keep you accountable! Lisa Delaney of “Secrets of a Former Fat Girl” and Jennette Fulda of “Half-Assed” both decided to keep mum to their family about their weight loss goals. Both have successfully kept the weight off.
My own weight loss journey came after I moved away from home. As a child, I would stubbornly state, “I won’t eat anything that’s green”. Even today, my family does not understand how much my eating habits have changed. At a dinner with my sister a year ago, she didn’t offer me broccoli. Her reason was “Well, you don’t eat anything green”.
Sometimes, telling your loved ones can sabotage your goals. Eating can be a very emotional experience, and spending time with family even more so. Eating while with family is a landmine of emotions.
I’m not saying that your own family cannot or will not support your goals. But, most families have certain traditions that will be challenged by your healthier eating. If the only thing you will eat at grandma’s Thanksgiving dinner is a small portion of turkey and a salad that you brought, you might raise disapproving eyebrows. If your meat-crazy family finds out that you have embraced a vegan lifestyle, they might suddenly think that you have become an alien from another planet.
Your particular weight loss goal and how you plan to get there should be between you and your journal.
What if you can’t avoid telling your family about your goals?
♥ Instead of telling them that you will lose “50 pounds by December”, you might say a more generic, “I’m eating healthier”.
♥ Instead of telling them, “no more junk food”, you might say “I am eating more fruit and nuts”.
♥ Instead of explaining your whole philosophy on where, when, why and how you eat, simply say “no thank you”.
Sometimes, the very environment you live in makes it harder to reach your goals. In that case, I suggest joining a support group of people you don’t know. These people couldn’t care less if you avoid alcohol or dislike their world-famous pie recipe. Some of them might become your biggest supporters, since you share common goals.
Strangers also cannot hurt your feelings so much as family can. If my husband said I look chubbier, I would feel more discouraged than if some stranger made the same comment. Most of us try our best to please our loved ones. Achieving your weight loss goal is all about pleasing yourself.
Have you had a loved one discourage you from attaining your weight loss goals? What did they say or do?
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