Latenight30 saidHey All,
My best friend is trying to loose weight. He says he is tired of being heavy.
He has recently started weight watchers and I hound him about.. did you go work out?
Once he does get the motivation or I drag him to excersise where should he start. I'm not saying he is bed ridden he just isn't as inshape as he wants to be. When you are bigger, should he consult with a Dr, about what his body can and can't do?
I just want him to be the best he wants to be. He's my best friend.
That being said, here's my take.
1. Doctors are often nuts. Pick your flavor.
2. He, and only he (Mr. Fatty) can help himself. Coddling him will only make him weaker. He needs to step up and realize that he can do it himself, any Real Jock, or any military veteran, can tell you that you are way more capable than you might imagine of doing almost anything. If we have a weak part, we make it stronger; we work it.
3. He needs NEGATIVE as well as POSITIVE reinforcement. Animated positivity is a sure-fire way to failure. Bad behavior should be noted, as well as good behavior.
Chewey_Delt, note that the unmentioned person that is fat, didn't even pose the question. You said, "This guy has clearly started taking at least initial steps to make himself a better person, and is reaching out for help in doing that. That's not a weakness, that's a strength. He knows where to go to get help, and that's a good thing." and we do NOT know that's true. We only know what Latenight30 said above. The way I read it is that he is only doing the bare minimum possible, and only when he's is pushed. That's a sure fire plan for failure. It won't be until the fatty takes control and gets his butt vertical that he'll come close to success.
Negative reinforcement like "I thought you were tired of being a fat ass?" serves a role in his recovery as well, every bit as much as "You look like you're feeling better."
Being artificially positive / politically correct is one reason folks fail. E.g., look at all the fat kids in our public schools because no one will take a leadership role.
It's essential to have both positive and negative feedback to the sick person.