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It
is a very sensitive issue particularly
if you are fit. The second part
of the complication is that it is
never easy to hear things from someone
close to you. People tend to
take things too personally, even if it
is in their best interest, when it
comes from someone they love.
Thus, when a partner is gaining weight
and you realize that s/he is not doing
anything about it, or not even
realizing it, you have to
act.
Not only in the interest of good
health, but also because you want to
be attracted to your partner.
(Related articles:
How to tell your overweight wife to
lose weight and
dieting for overweight husband)
Tips
on how to help your partner if she or
he becomes overweight/obese
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The first
thing that you have to do is to
tell your partner that s/he has
a problem. See if you can
find a third party to do the job
for you, though. Your
family doctor is the best person
to do that. Most people
listen to their doctor's advice
and then you can simply promise
to help without any negative
comments.
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If you are
fit
and exercise regularly, you have
to indirectly talk about the
benefits of a
healthier
lifestyle and ask your partner
to join you for the fun of
it. Do not say that she or
he has to
lose weight because
she/he is likely to get
defensive.
-
To the extent
possible, try to
make change in
the meals in your home.
See how you can make them
healthier.
-
Similarly, try
to change your lifestyle.
If everyone in the household
basically watches television and
does nothing else, it has to
change.
-
Socialize more
with friends who are into a
healthier lifestyle.
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Finally, be
supportive all along,
particularly when you see that
your partner is working on
it. Threats of not finding
her attractive (this is very
important for men to understand
that even perfectly good looking
women are very conscious about
their bodies and when they put
on even a few extra pounds they
get extremely self-conscious and
lose their self
esteem) should never be
made. These will be
counter-productive.
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