How do you support a friend who wants to lose weight

[cabbageroses]

but won't actually do it?

I have a friend who is miserable as she is probably 2 stones over weight. She constantly moans abotu this and makes very half hearted efforts for a while which get her nowhere.

I have tried suggesting things she should do- and maybe joining WW online, but she just poo-poos it and seems utterly negative and actually "tells me off" in a lighthearted way for bringing it up.

when she mentions her weight again, I am not sure how to react at all.

I would gladly support her but I get the impression that although she moans she is not really wanting to do anything .

Nothing really.

Chances are, that when she moans about her weight to you, she wants to hear 'honestly, you're fine/you look lovely' etc...a bit of reassurance. Instead she hears 'yes, you're a bloater...now get yourself to Weighwatchers'. I know that's not what you mean, but it's very likely that's the message she's hearing. Which in turn makes her feel worse and probably leads to more comfort eating.

I say this from bitter experience of being in your friend's place.

You cannot motivate someone to lose weight if they aren't ready to...she has to find the motivation within herself. That's when your support will be needed and appreciated.

Its a hard one. I agree with Lucy that she doesn't really want to go through the effort of being on a diet, she would just prefer if the weight disappeared, so is probably looking for you to say, no need.

That being said, I personally would never do this (ie tell someone no need if there was).

If she mentions it again, then maybe suggest you work out together, and do a diet together.

When it really comes down to it, you can't do anything. Just like someone wanting to give up booze or smoking it has to come from them.

I would suggest working out together - go swimming, find a class that's fun like dancing, or what about signing up to do 'race for life' in a few months? You can just walk it so no pressure :)