Written by Jordyn King BS, MS

Starting your health journey can be a little overwhelming at times and could impact your mental health. Other times, people can comment on your health journey negatively or positively. 

FIRST THINGS FIRST…TAKE CHARGE! 

Take charge of your own health journey. You as an individual are focused on you in your own health care choices. We all know that there’s no quick fix in discovering your own weight loss or whatever your health journey may be. Everyone’s health journey is unique and different. Each individual‘s health journey is about making changes to your own lifestyle habits and assuming the role of a learner. We can all empower ourselves by taking control of our own health and making constructive and healthy changes on how will will do this. 

Here are 5 Tips for Dealing with People who comment on your Health Journey:

1.Educate Them or Yourself 

It can be frustrating when people constantly comment on your process of your health journey. One of the best ways to take charge of your own health journey is through education. Expanding your knowledge by taking a course or even joining a support group of individuals who can relate to weight loss can encourage a positive health journey. Familiarizing yourself as an individual with how to approach people with the positive thinking throughout their own health journey is crucial. Often times, people may not feel in control of their own health circumstances especially when it comes to their fitness and overall healthy lifestyle. The more you educate yourself about your body on how it works and how you react to those health changes, the smarter your health journey choices will become. Keep in mind, the more you know the condition of your health the healthier your future is going to be throughout your health journey.

2. Positive Thinking 

As my favorite quote goes “You Are The Gate Keeper to Your Own Success”. Whatever your health journey means to you, it is in your hands. Thus, you have the ability to your own successes. Positive thinking doesn’t necessarily mean you have to keep your head high and ignore all life unpleasant situations. Positive thinking is the act of approaching certain situations and making the choice that leads to great success. Positive thinking can help with stress management and can improve your overall health practice by overcoming negative self-talk or others commenting on your weight or body image. Focusing on positive thinking can be simple but it does take time and practice. Surround yourself with positive people who make your life positive so you can become the gatekeeper to your own success. 

3. Listen 

We as individuals live in a society where often weight loss is perceived as a “good” and weight gain is perceived as “bad”. This fundamental assumption can be inherently flawed. Remember to listen to your body; the more familiarized you are with your health journey, the healthier you will become to reach your goals. Listening to your body is a skill to tune out other and tune in the way your body talks to you. Maintaining long term weight loss can be challenging since we are all unique and different. If someone comments on your weight through some constructive criticism or acknowledges your hard work through the transformation of your body and weight loss; they are most likely giving you a compliment in the best way they can. You can always listen to what the individual has to say but you don’t have to take it to heart. You can listen to positive thinking or negative thinking but above all, listen to nothing but your own advice. 

4. Establish Boundaries 

If you’re having troubles for someone in your life who does not support your health journey establish boundaries with that person. Eliminate the word “failure” from your vocabulary and other people surrounding you with negative thoughts. So often we think, if we indulge in our favorite dessert we have failed. The most important thing with continuing on with your health journey after you have indulged is not letting that one dessert throw you off and having a feeling of endless guilt. This is part of the process. Remember self-care is at the heart of your health journey; you are on a path to take better care of yourself and no one else can tell you different. If someone approaches you with a negative comment you can always just establish boundaries with that person. Come back at the person with a compliment, cut it off and change the subject. Individuals are not able to tell anything about a persons health, happiness or life circumstances based on their weight or body shape. Body image issues and diet culture impact can affect both men and women. Thus, be aware of who you are surrounding your self with and make sure you are tuning people who can support your health journey.

5. Provide a Support System for Yourself 

One of the best ways to support someone in losing weight is simply by asking how or letting them know that you are a source of support. Get to know what you want for your heath journey and set the goals that are manageable for you. Be willing to help yourself if your body needs rest or healing times. It may feel lonely to make these health choices for yourself. Be confident in your strength and skills to provide a better support system for yourself. If you think someone may not be supporting your health journey; it’s not that they don’t support it, they just don’t know how. Start with being open to them about your health journey and asking them why (bring up the topic and see where it leads too). Make sure you are surrounding yourself with positive people who you can depend on to get the helpful advice and feedback you need. Surrounding yourself with individuals who may increase your stress levels and make you doubt your ability to manage your stress in unhealthy ways is not a good support system. When you’re feeling down or having less enthusiastic days, your support system of positive people will help you be motivated and inspire you to carry-on. When you’re in a state of mind that is generally optimistic you’re better able to handle every day stress in a more constructive way. Provide a support system that lets you surround them with you and your health journey such as going on long walks or meal prepping together. 

Remember, your health journey is based on your worth and your value. They do not come from your appearance or the number on the  scale. Your values lie in the kindness that individuals extend out to you and the positive relationships you have with your loved ones through a support system. Remember, Set your own goals and be clear on what you were aiming for. This will give you a clear direction in your life and how you will overcome obstacles for your health journey. 

If you are interested in a long-term weight loss solution, check out The Millennial Nutritionist’s 3 month weight loss program. Through calorie tracking and sustainability lifestyle changes, many clients have successful weight loss during the program and after. Get started today!