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Read up on any weight loss program and there it is staring at you in the eye " you need family support " you are advised to start on the program only if your family is behind you! You need that emotional support and backing and it is especially important that they don't put up a fight against your efforts! Did you know that if you are obese the chances of your husband becoming obese also increases? And what about your siblings? Well.... in their case the danger is more!

How do you get your family to help?

Well, obviously you first have to let your family know that you are concerned about your weight. Convene a kind of family meeting or be ready to discuss it at the dining table. Take them into confidence. Tell them your plans to shed weight and ask for help. You need their cheerful support, not their animosity or antagonism.

Reserve a space in your store cupboard or take a complete shelf for your diet requirements. Keep everything you need for your special diet in there and remember to label the shelf with your name. The refrigerator could do with a like treatment.
If you are cooking for the family, don't be tempted to keep tasting your preparations at different stages. Also, never finish off leftover food even if wastage makes you feel guilty.

See that the family eats only at the dining table and not carry food around " especially to areas frequented by you. This would defeat your purpose totally and make you succumb to temptation.

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You have to be persistent in your desire to achieve your goal. Never get demoralized if your weight plateaus at a certain level which is bound to happen. Keep changing your diet to make it more interesting and be regular in your workout. See if you can tempt the family to join you in eating the healthy food and maybe follow it up by going with you on walks.

Try to get your husband to join you. But don't force him if he is not inclined to do so. But do keep updating him about your progress. If you have high cholesterol, let him know how your healthy diet and exercise have reduced the levels. Once he is aware of the positive results, he may be tempted to join you. But until then, let him be.

Being invited out to someone's house for dinner is tricky. It is better to let your hostess know that certain foods are taboo for you. At least she will be prepared if you refuse a second helping! You could also offer to bring a dish along " and since you will be making it, see that it is a healthy salad that you can always eat safely.

Again, select the menu properly at the restaurant if you are eating out. Include plenty of healthy salads and lighter dishes that do not use much oil. Instruct the chef to go easy on the oil and other fatty substances. Once you take over the ordering, you can ask for safe, healthy alternatives. Let the family be fully aware of your moves so that they begin to encourage you at every successful stage of your weight loss program.