Getting Support
Supportive relationships can help people cope with challenges and achieve their personal goals. You may be anxious to tell people you’re working on losing weight. But, by keeping quiet and not telling them what kind of support you want, they won’t know how they can help.
TIPS FOR GETTING GOOD SUPPORT
• Tell friends you’re working on reaching a healthy weight.
• Tell your family and friends about the kind of support you want (more on that later).
• Team up with a friend who’s interested in health and physical activity.
• Avoid people who try to “talk you into” eating situations that make you uncomfortable.
• Find a weight loss role model to inspire you and keep you on track.
• Talk to the OPTIFAST® clinic staff about questions or concerns. We’re here to support you!
IT’S OKAY TO BE ASSERTIVE
Using assertive language means telling people how you feel in a clear, honest, and respectful way. It works better than being mean, hostile, or aggressive.
• Use “I” statements such as, “I need your help keeping tempting foods out of the house.”
“I” statements are built on mutual respect and compromise.
• Avoid “you” statements such as, “You need to get that junk food out of here. You’re sabotaging my diet.” “You” statements often sound blaming and mean-spirited.
• After you’ve identified the type of help you want from your support group, use “I” statements to tell then about the support you want.
SUPPORT STYLE CHECKLIST
Think about your weight loss efforts and decide what kind of support you’d like. Complete the checklist to identify the people who’ll be part of your support system and the kind of support you want from each of them.
Place the initials of each person next to the type of support you want. You can put as many initials next to each type of support as you want, or leave items blank if you don’t want support in that area. People to consider on your support list include:
• Mother, father, step parents
• Brothers and sisters
• Grandparents
• Aunts and uncles
• Cousins
• Friends
Getting Support
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SUPPORT
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INITIALS
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Never mention weight, food, or my diet
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Ask me how my diet and exercise program are going
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Compliment my successes, but ignore my setbacks
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Observe my eating and activity and remind me when I'm about to slip up
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Put food out of sight after we're done eating
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Stop eating around me
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Don't pressure me to eat or “just have a little taste”
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Put less food on my plate and/or let me serve myself
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Respect the food choices I make
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Stop telling me what to eat and not eat
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Stop blaming me for being overweight and comparing me to other family members or other thinner people
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Keep more healthy foods in the house
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Keep junk foods out of the house
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Change the way you cook—make healthier options
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Offer to exercise with me
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Support my decision to buy the equipment or supplies I need to exercise
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Praise me when I take time to be active
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Tell me when you notice a change in my appearance
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Don't mention changes in my appearance
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Don't give me food gifts
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Give me more time and affection—make an effort to say nice things to me
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Support my lifestyle changes and choices
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Respect/support my new goals
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Energy In
My Eating Challenges:
My “Energy In” Goal for the Next Week:
Energy Out
My Activity Challenges:
My “Energy Out” Goal for the Next Week:
OPTIFAST® Program materials may not be reproduced in any form without the prior permission of Nestlé Health Care Nutrition, Inc.
All trademarks are owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland. ©2017 Nestlé. All rights reserved. OPTI-10109-1017
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