How Do I Get My Partner To Lose Weight?

Wanting our partner to lose weight can be a very touchy subject to approach. It is very easy to shut someone down immediately when you bring up a subject like this. Can you get your partner to lose weight, though? Yes, it is possible, but it's something to approach very carefully. Really, the approach you take with your partner is a vital first step, and it will pretty much determine how any discussion you have with each other on the subject going forward will go. So, how do you get your partner to lose weight? There are several important points that need to be considered, such as: consider how you really feel about them, and why you're really doing this. Watch your approach - again, so important! Be prepared to join them on this journey. Encourage them, don't shame them. Don't withhold intimacy, and don't punish them for setbacks. Celebrate the small victories, as well as the big ones. Be aware of your own issues, and don't project them onto your partner. Be patient and enjoy the journey. Keep reading for more on these points because, InstantHookups has got some great suggestions.

Consider How You Really Feel About Them

Why are you really doing this? Do you really love your partner, or are you in love with the idea of some perfect version of them? Do you still love them for who they are, in spite of them gaining some weight? It's important to consider these questions because the answers are going to determine a lot about whether or not you should move forward with this. It's important to consider the difference between wanting someone to lose weight because you like the way that they look better when they're thin and wanting them to lose weight because you have genuine concern for their health. Love handles and 5 - 10 extra pounds shouldn't change the way you see your partner, if you really love them. If there's a serious issue though and it's affecting their health and/or their quality of life, then that is a completely different story. So, take a good look at your reasons and consider them closely. If your partner is carrying a few extra pounds, they're healthy, and they're happy in their own skin, then maybe the issue isn't them maybe it's you. Think things through carefully and be honest with yourself. If your concerns are purely superficial, then chances are that the person who needs to make some changes is you. If they're genuine, then it's completely understandable that you approach them.

Watch Your Approach

This is a very important point that needs to be taken seriously. How you go about this first step can have a major impact on how they react to everything associated with it going forward, so be cool in your approach. The best way to try approaching them at first could be to simply suggest that the two of you take up a physical activity together. Maybe it's walking or running every night. If that's the case, and the two of you can stick with that together, then you probably don't ever need to directly address the weight concerns, and honestly, if you don't have to do that, then don't. If you can get going on a physical activity together on a regular basis, just keep doing that and don't mention their weight. You will have dodged a potential bullet there. If you do need to take a more direct approach, then it's wise to try asking how you might be of help to them with this, rather than coming down on them. Let them know that you're concerned for their health, and that you're willing to do whatever you can do to join them, and help them along. Then, join them on their journey, and do it together.

Don't Withhold Intimacy

This is a pretty big deal when your partner is dealing with issues about how they look. They're still going to want to know that you love them for who they are, and that you desire them. Even if they're not looking their best, they want to know that you're still in this relationship with them, and that you love them. Giving the impression that you're disgusted with them and don't want to be intimate is never going to encourage them to want to bring out the best in themselves, so make sure they know that they're still in a safe place with you. You will ultimately be their biggest support system through this journey, so stand strong for them, and don't make them feel like they have to do this to earn your love and physical affection. You will only succeed in making them question what they are worth to you. Continue being intimate with them, and loving them the way you always have. Remember, as things progress they're only going to continue getting much, much better!

Be Aware Of Your Own Issues - Don't Project

If you have issues that have to do with yourself, such as your own image, your worry about how you're being perceived by being with a partner who's overweight, whatever the case might be do not project those issues and feelings onto your partner. You will end up discouraging them, embarrassing them, and probably making them feel terrible about themselves. Remember, this is a time where you need to be humble with your partner, and help them from a place of genuine love and caring. If you're more focused on what other people think, or the issues you have with yourself, then you're going to project that onto them, and they're going to end up resenting you for it. Leave all of that at the door, and be there for your partner. Be secure enough in your own relationship that you can tackle this with your partner and be there for them as they go through these changes. Do it together!

Join Them On The Journey

Do things together when you're heading on this course. There is so much you can do! Join a gym together, take up walking, running, or biking together, grocery shop and cook together, so that you can also work on your meal prep for coming weeks together. These little things will make such a huge difference in how your partner sees your perception of them, how they perceive themselves, and ultimately, how they perceive you. Subjects like this can make or break a relationship in some cases, so if you're willing to walk with them on this journey and do make changes together, chances are that it can actually strengthen your relationship. If you're pushing them to go it alone then they're probably going to feel pressured and could end up resenting you. You don't have to play the role of a boot camp instructor to help them find their way. Be a partner through this, and be a cheerleader rather than a critic. Which brings us to the next point.

Encourage Them - Don't Shame Them

Chances are that if your partner is struggling with their weight, they're probably not feeling the best about themselves to begin with. Don't make it worst by shaming them, or trying to make them feel guilty about their choices, or the way they look. This is going to get you absolutely nowhere. You're likely to push them to the point where they don't even want to listen to you anymore, and they dread the topic altogether. They don't need your criticism, they need your support and encouragement at this time. Encourage them every step of the way as they find their footing on this new path. Be a support for them, rather than a source of negative reinforcement. It's always true that you'll get further with someone when you use support and encouragement, than you will if you're being pushy and relentless. It takes time to make changes, so be there for them to lean on when they go through their changes, and particularly when they hit roadblocks and plateaus, which often happens to people on their way to weight loss.

Don't Punish Them For Setbacks

As mentioned, roadblocks and plateaus are bound to come about, so don't punish your partner if they fall off for a bit or they experience a setback. Timing plays a major factor in all of this as well, so if they've got a lot on their plate, it isn't a good idea to keep pushing them for results. You will only contribute to their current stress, and they're very likely to lose motivation. When setbacks happen, adjust the schedule accordingly until you both reach a point where you can continue to make more progress. Cheer them on again once they're back on their feet and make sure that they know you're behind them. The road to weight loss is rarely ever a straight line for anyone, so be willing to go through the peaks and valleys that you're sure to hit while going through this process. It is sure to make them want to keep going, and they'll want to achieve this with you, if they know that you're behind them, cheering them on and you have their back.

Celebrate The Small Victories

On the road to weight loss, it's important to celebrate the small victories, as well as the big ones. You don't need to go over the top, but you can definitely show your support by celebrating every pound lost with them. When they catch onto a new exercise, be excited for them, and when they master it, be even more excited. It really can be an exciting thing to go through with someone, and as you and your partner make your way on this journey, every accomplishment is going to be a very important one, so make sure that you're celebrating all of them together, and looking forward to celebrating the the next accomplishments that are sure to come, as well. Each milestone is an important one, so let it be important! Make sure that you tell them how good they look. Go shopping with them when they drop sizes and need to buy new clothes. These are really important milestones along this journey, and you will be really glad that you took the time to celebrate them with your partner.

Be Patient

This is not going to happen overnight, no matter how much you might wish it could. It's simply not possible, and it's also important to realize that this is ultimately going to need to be an entire lifestyle change. Sure your partner can lose the weight, but if they haven't taken the time to do it properly, and make lifestyle changes in the process, then they're likely to end up back where they started, and feel like they've failed. Take the time necessary to let this journey play out the way it needs to, making and maintaining positive lifestyle choices as you both go along, so that the great results can be maintained, after the goal has been reached.

Enjoy The Journey Together

Have some fun with this! This is going to be a great journey for the two of you to take together and it has the potential to help grow your bond as a couple, so relish it! Go through the ups and downs, keep encouraging your partner, work towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle together, and heading on a new path with one another. This is a truly exciting time and it's likely to be one of the biggest things that you have the chance to accomplish as a team! We hope that these words of advice have been helpful to you both as you get started!