Build a support network


You can reach a healthy weight on your own, but getting support can help
you over any 'trouble spots'. Family and friends, trained professionals or
other people who are trying to achieve a healthy weight can help:

  • They can keep you motivated when times get tough
  • They can be the difference between success and failure
  • They are someone to share your successes with and to give you a pep
    talk when you feel you're going to slip
  • They can give you practical support: someone to exercise or swap
    recipes with.

Our top five tips for dealing with a slip-up

1. Stay positive

What's done is done. There's nothing to gain from beating yourself up over a mistake made. Negative feelings could turn your slip-up into a much bigger thing; you may feel like ditching the plan entirely.

  • Keep your slip-up in context
  • Stay positive
  • Remember: there is nothing to stop you from continuing with your healthy weight goals where you left off.

2. Find out what has gone wrong

Think about why your slip-up happened. If you know, you can stop it happening again.

Maybe you ate unhealthy foods because you were bored or upset, or you missed your evening walk because of something on the telly. Find the reason why you went off-track.

3. Plan your strategy

Think about what you'll need to do differently next time to avoid making the same mistake.

Next time you're bored, could you phone a friend, read a book or take a walk instead of snacking? If you don't feel motivated to do any exercise in the evening, perhaps you need to buddy-up and find a partner who will do it with you.

4. Back to business

There is no need to dwell on the slip-up now that you have a plan in place to deal with it next time you are tempted. Move on, and expect that things will work better for you this time.

5. Getting more support

Are you having regular slip-ups?

  • Look again at your motivations for losing weight
  • Think back to why you wanted to lose weight in the first place
  • Try to keep these reasons in focus
  • Review your goals: are they unrealistic? Can you change them slightly to better suit your lifestyle?

Having support is also really important for success. Try to get your close family and friends on board to support you.