For those of us who do not live alone, family and significant others are an important factor for healthy weight loss plans.

Whether you are trying to lose 10 pounds for your high school reunion or your doctor told you to lose weight because of a health condition, family can have a big impact on dieting.

Let’s just assume that you have a healthy and well balanced diet in mind, not a crazy weight loss plan that involves something like “eating only grapefruit” or “milkshakes for every meal.” Obviously if you have a crazy, dangerous fad diet in mind, your family is not likely to approve.

Once you do have a good plan for weight loss, you need to get your family on your side. Do whatever it takes to convince them that you need to follow this diet. Tell them what your doctor said and explain the facts and your goals. Hopefully they will be supportive.

If you want your family to also go on the diet with you, try to focus on the positive instead of the negative. Don’t tell them how fat, ugly and unhealthy they look and how they need to lose weight. Instead, simply enumerate the health benefits that losing weight will give them and you. Ask them (do not tell them) how much they would like to lose and come up with a plan that all of you agree on.

Now, healthy diets do not need to be expensive. A well-balanced diet does not need to include special food that costs a lot. In fact, it would be best if your family just stick to what they like to eat in your house. Simply change the recipes slightly to make them healthier and study up on the proper serving sizes to eat.

Go grocery shopping with whoever prepares the meals in the house. Choose lean meats, nonfat dairy products, whole grain breads and lost of fruits and vegetables. You might even save money by not buying unhealthy fatty or sugary snack foods.

Whatever type of food you eat in the house, there are healthy ways to diet. It doesn’t really matter whether you eat Chinese, Thai, Italian, Indian or American food in the house. Simply cut down on the servings of fat and unhealthy food items.

The amazing thing is, you can actually eat whatever you want. There’s no need to stop eating your favorite food at all. Healthy weight loss diets means that you pay attention to the total number of calories you consume each day. You can still lose weight by eating your favorite foods. Just make sure that you burn more calories than you consume.

What about social occasions such as parties or eating out?

This is definitely a problem for some. What if you are in your aunt’s house for her forty-fifth birthday and she hands you a heaping plateful of fatty food? Don’t panic! You don’t really need to eat the entire thing, try to gently explain that you are on a diet and why. Eat the stuff she gives you but don’t finish the whole thing if it’s way too much for healthy eating. Add some salad or fruit to your meal. Drink water instead of soda.

Plus, don’t be too preachy. You don’t want to be “that guy” who is always lecturing other people about their health. Pay attention to what you eat and not what other people eat. It’s really none of your business if your cousin ate two servings of pudding, so don’t embarrass him by telling him to stop eating. It’s a social occasion, relax.

Frankly, if your aunt spent the whole day slaving over a hot stove to cook a feast for her family, then her family (including you!) should be appreciative. Compliment her on her cooking and tell her you loved the food. Going on a healthy diet does not mean restricting yourself to only certain kinds of food. Eat whatever they serve but don’t eat a lot.

Remember that it is the total number of calories you eat each day that counts. Even if you do go over your daily calorie limit, one day won’t have that big an impact on your healthy weight loss regimen.

Author Bio: When you follow a Healthy Weight Loss plan many things can play a role in your success like your Family. It is very important to have the help and support of the people you love when you are on a diet as that can help you lose pounds more easily and faster. Healthy Weight Loss and your Family

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Healthy Weight Loss, Family Support, Diet, Nutrition