How will you react if your partner tells you they are trying to lose weight? Is there a right way to respond? You may be unaware of it, but what you say to them can lead to their success. Or not.
People have different reasons for losing weight. Most do it for the health benefits, while others feel more confident with the extra pounds off. No matter, anyone who has been on a weight loss journey knows the endeavor is a difficult one.
The weight loss process is full of ups and downs. Some days it’s easier to keep on track. On other days it’s a struggle to stay motivated. And when your partner is feeling discouraged, there are words of support you can say to them to help them follow through with their goal.
Why Words of Affirmation Matter
There is a common misconception that weight loss is purely physical. The truth is weight loss starts with the right mindset. Diet and exercise will not work if the mind is not into it.
One sure way to create the right mentality is through words of affirmation.
Affirmation helps your partner overcome negative thoughts by replacing irrational fears and self-doubt with determination and confidence. When you frequently say words of support to your partner, you help them create a positive mindset.
How to Support Your Partner in Their Lose Weight Journey
Be your partner’s number one cheerleader by applauding them for achieving their goals. Don’t find faults in what they miss or dwell on the targets they miss. Instead, highlight the things they are doing right.
Become an active part of their weight loss program. Consider working out with them or trying their new diet. Indeed, establishing healthy habits with your significant other forges a stronger relationship.
There will be days when your partner feels defeated, especially if they reach a weight loss plateau. Let them express their frustrations but don’t judge. Active listening is an effective way to cheer up your partner.
Lastly, focus on a healthy lifestyle and not just weight loss. Let your partner know you care about the overall person, no matter their weight.
70 Affirmations and Inspirational Quotes for Weight Loss
When your partner feels positive about themselves, they are more likely to make healthy decisions that result in sustainable weight loss. Encouraging words are fantastic tools that help them stick to their goals.
Here are 70 words of affirmation to boost your partner’s self-esteem and motivate them to succeed in their weight loss journey.
- “What can I do to help?”
Ask your partner what you can do to support their weight loss goals. They might want to discuss their diet plan with you, or they might be looking for a workout buddy. Others might need a listening ear when they’re feeling down.
- “It’s great that you are striving for better health.”
Focus on the bigger picture. Wellness is a way of living. Remember losing weight is about a healthier lifestyle and not fitting a specific body type trend.
- “Don’t beat yourself up about it. We can try again.”
Yes, slip-ups will happen now and then. Your partner probably missed gym or binged on a bag of potato chips, but don’t let these undermine their previous weight loss efforts. Every day is an opportunity to make a better and healthier choice.
- “All your hard work is showing. I can see you’re getting stronger.”
Celebrate small victories to boost your partner’s confidence. It’s not about the weight loss process getting easier. It’s about getting stronger physically and mentally to overcome the challenges.
- “I will always find you attractive, whatever your body size. But because I love you dearly, I want us to live a long, healthy life together.”
The encouragement to lose weight should come from a place of love, not reproach or criticism. The most important aspect of shedding off the extra bulk is health and not just looking good in a particular outfit.
- “The salad we had last week was delicious. Do you fancy having it again for dinner?”
If your partner is trying to lose weight by cutting off on some junk food, don’t tempt them to eat anything that isn’t in their diet plan. On the other end of the spectrum, don’t be the food police. Rather than outright telling them what or what not to eat, make a suggestion.
- “Where do you want to eat out?”
Most people on a diet have a planned cheat day when they can eat whatever they are craving, but it doesn’t mean they can overindulge. Stay sensitive to your partner’s dietary needs and stick to a healthy alternative as much as possible. Better yet, let them pick the place to eat.
- “You look stunning.”
Focus on giving general compliments to praise your partner’s overall appearance. Telling them that they look more beautiful because they’ve lost weight can be detrimental and counterproductive to their progress. Choose words that assure your partner they are attractive regardless of their size.
- “Do you want to go on a walk?”
Suggest fitness activities you and your partner enjoy, such as swimming, biking, dancing, or playing sports. Studies show that couples who do physical activities together usually increase the duration and intensity of their exercise.
- “You’re doing so well. We should celebrate.”
Congratulate your partner for achieving small goals along the way. The reward doesn’t have to be food related. Consider other ways of celebrating your partner’s success, such as treating them to a movie, paying for a spa session, or writing them a love note.
- “Tell me about your weight loss program.”
Learn as much as possible about your partner’s plan, such as their diet and workout routine. It shows them that you are genuinely willing to support their choices.
- “You can do hard things because you are strong, hard-working, and dedicated to improving your health.”
Shift the focus from losing weight to becoming healthier. You don’t exercise to look good but to improve mobility and become stronger.
- “Do not let failed weight loss efforts in the past define you. Let go of old habits that are no longer serving you. I’ll always support you if you want to try new things.”
Assure your partner that you believe in their capability to succeed. They may get frustrated, especially if they have been trying but failing to lose weight for a long time. But don’t give up on them, no matter how disheartened they seem.
- “The number on the scale or the size of your clothes have nothing to do with your worth.”
Let your partner know that you love and accept them for the person that they are. It’s not their weight that defines their value.
- “Healthy choices may not come naturally to you, but we can work together to make them a habit.”
You and your partner are a team. Let them know that they are not alone in their endeavor to live a healthier lifestyle.
- “Don’t be too hard on yourself. Have fun! If this plan doesn’t feel right, we can look for another one that works better.”
Remind your partner to take their time and enjoy the process. If the weight loss program stresses them out, it’s probably not a suitable approach for them.
- “You can do it! You got this!”
These affirming words are simple, maybe a little cliché, but they are powerful. Letting your partner know that you have faith in them makes a difference in their weight loss journey.
- “Don’t rush the process. Healthy weight loss takes time, effort, and consistency.”
Sustainable weight loss and lasting results don’t happen overnight. Tell your partner they are on the right track, but the positive outcome may not show immediately. They have to be patient and consistent.
- “Listen to your body and let it rest. Do not punish yourself with a restrictive diet or excessive exercise.”
It takes discipline and dedication to lose weight. But if your partner is becoming obsessed with losing the extra pounds, they may end up causing harm to themselves. Remind them the body also needs to recover from strenuous activities.
- “I want you to know that you are worthy of being loved even if you are not at your ideal weight.”
Love and respect transcend body size. Take every opportunity to tell your partner that you love them no matter what. They’ll never get tired of hearing it.
- “You are beautiful.”
Yes, keep the compliments coming because there is no such thing as overkill when giving your partner the ego boost they need to succeed in their weight loss journey. Then, again, don’t attach too much value to weight. Focus instead on their being healthy.
- “Overcoming difficulties makes us stronger, so don’t give up when things seem hard.”
When your partner feels discouraged, a little push will help. Never judge them for their shortcomings, but be honest and open if they ask for your opinion.
- “Don’t compare yourself to others or measure your success based on other people’s success.”
People shed pounds at different rates, even when their weight loss program is the same. Your partner probably knows this but still needs the reminder once in a while.
- “I’m so proud of your progress.”
There is no shortcut to healthy weight loss. Assure your partner that you’re always with them at every step of their journey.
- “I’m impressed by how you challenge your body to do hard things. I admire how you take care of yourself with healthy choices.”
Let your partner know that you notice their effort and hard work. It proves to them that you see the big picture and care for long-term results.
- “If you need someone to talk to, I’m here. I’m better emotional support than a bag of chips.”
Some people resort to binge eating to cope with self-doubt and negative emotions. Let your partner know you support them physically, mentally, and emotionally.
- “I enjoy being active with you. It also makes me feel stronger and healthier.”
Assure your partner that you genuinely enjoy getting involved in their weight loss plan and that you are also reaping the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.
- “You don’t have to deprive yourself of the foods you love. Moderation is the key.”
Who says your partner has to stop eating their favorite dishes? Tell them it’s okay to indulge once in a while as long as they don’t let food control their decisions. You can also search for healthier versions of your partner’s favorite food.
- “Don’t give up when things get tough. I will help you push through the pain, so you can come out stronger.”
Affirmation is not just praising and comforting your partner when they are down. It is also nudging them gently but firmly when they are about to give up.
- “Thank you for introducing me to healthier eating habits.”
Whether or not you yourself are trying to lose weight, be grateful to your partner for making you a part of their life choices. Working together as a team yield better and more lasting results.
- “Don’t compare your results with those of others. This is your own journey. You focus on your own progress.”
Comparing yourself to others is counterproductive. Remind your partner to concentrate on their own growth. After all, everyone is unique and doesn’t lose weight the same way and at the same pace.
- “Whenever you struggle with negative emotions and intrusive thoughts, know that you are stronger than you think. I’m always here to support you.”
Self-doubt is often the downfall of those trying to lose weight. Remind your partner not to undermine themselves. They are so much more capable than they think.
- “I admire that you’re losing weight for yourself and not because you want to fit into someone else’s standards.”
Some people get pressured into losing weight because of unrealistic beauty standards. Affirm your partner’s goal to become healthier because of the benefits and not because society wants them to fit a specific size.
- “Can I join you at the gym or will you rather join an exercise class with me?”
Suggest fun activities you can do together instead of insisting that your partner exercise. Be their workout buddy. It’s a great way to bond and build a stronger relationship.
- “Can I try your diet dishes?”
Volunteering to try the food in their diet plan is one way to show your partner you sincerely support them. It will make eating healthy choices exciting and not forced.
- “Can you include running in your exercise routine? It would be lovely to spend time with you.”
Ever considered going on a workout date? Doing fun activities together strengthens your relationship and promotes a healthier lifestyle. Dates don’t always have to be about eating out.
- “Plateaus are part of the progress. They test your perseverance.”
At some point in their journey, your partner may encounter the dreaded plateau, where they stop losing weight despite sticking to their diet and exercise routine. Be there for them when this happens.
- “Don’t thrown in the towel now. Think about how far you’ve come.”
If your partner is so discouraged that they are about to give up, help them remember how much they have achieved. They wouldn’t want to put waste all their previous efforts.
- “Thank you for introducing me to this healthy lifestyle. Like you, I feel much more energized and healthier when I eat nutritious food and exercise.”
Acknowledge the positive changes happening to your body after participating in your partner’s healthy lifestyle journey.
- “Let’s set small, manageable goals.”
Encouraging your partner to do things slowly and one step at a time is better than pressuring them to hit a nearly impossible goal. Healthy weight loss is not an overnight process.
- “I know you’re struggling losing weight, but I really admire your dedication. Think of the rewards: better health, more energy, more confidence.”
Never lose sight of the long-term outcomes. It’s a long and challenging process, but the results are worth the effort and hard work.
- “Losing weight is, above all, having a healthy mind and body.”
Losing weight is not a trend. Help your partner remember that it is a choice that leads to a sustainable healthy lifestyle.
- “Focus on feeling more capable and more confident in your own skin.”
People have different ways of motivating themselves to lose weight. Solely focusing on ridding of the extra bulk can be harmful. Pay more attention to getting stronger and more confident.
- “Weight gain does NOT mean you failed. It’s a motivation to work harder.”
There may be times when your partner will falter, including gaining weight instead of losing it. While it is discouraging, it is not the end of the journey. Find out what’s causing the weight gain and work on it.
- “Instead of aiming for perfection, work towards a stronger, fitter, and healthier version of you.”
There is no such thing as perfect. Assure your partner that their flaws – bumps and all – make them human and relatable.
- “Let’s make our exercise routine fun.”
Working out is not a chore. Look up ways to make your physical activities enjoyable.
- “I’m loving this healthier lifestyle. I’m glad we’re doing this together.”
Affirmation is best paired with action. Let your partner know that you are a team and you’re in the journey together.
- “Be patient with your body. It will take time for it to learn new habits.”
Your partner will not see results immediately, and adopting healthier habits takes a lot of practice. To some, this is dispiriting. Remind your significant other that patience and consistency are vital to their weight loss.
- “I like that you’re working on changing not only your body but also your mind.”
Healthy weight loss is holistic, sustainable, and long-term. Living a healthy lifestyle is a lifetime choice.
- “Your daily small accomplishments will eventually lead to you hitting that one huge goal.”
Remind your partner to be proud of their tiny victories. Do not diminish their value because they are small. Remarkable changes always start with little steps.
- “If you think discouraging thoughts, you would be discouraged. Tell yourself that you can do it. I have faith that you can do it.”
One way to fight intrusive thoughts and baseless worries is to assure your partner that you believe in their capability to succeed. And don’t just tell them this out of lip service – genuinely believe in them.
- “When you feel like giving up, remember your motivation for starting this journey. Your goal is to be healthy, not to be perfect.”
When your partner loses track, remind them why they are on the journey. What motivated them in the first place? Better health is often the primary goal for weight loss.
- “I’m with you throughout the process. I learn and grow with you.”
It’s very reassuring to your partner when you tell them you are with them during the entire weight loss process. Studies show that people with a support system are more successful in losing weight than those who do it alone.
- “You have complete control over your body and what you do with it.”
Refrain from telling your partner what they need to do to meet their goals. They should make decisions for themselves.
- “Your health is more important than being thin.”
Get rid of the superficial reason for weight loss. It is a journey toward a healthier lifestyle.
Positive thinking goes a long way. You can support your partner’s weight loss by sharing with them motivational and inspirational quotes on confidence, determination, and good health. Here are some of our favorites.
56. “Moderation. Small helpings. Sample a little bit of everything. These are the secrets of happiness and good health.” – Julia Child
57. “Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning.” – Thomas Jefferson
58. “Happiness is the highest form of health.” – Dalai Lama
59. “I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.” – Joyce Meyer
60. “The greatest wealth is health.” – Virgil
61. “The greatest of follies is to sacrifice health for any other kind of happiness.” – Arthur Schopenhauer
62. “The first wealth is health.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
63. “Food is not the problem. It’s what we do with food that becomes the problem. That’s why we need to learn to keep everything in our lives – especially our eating – in proper balance.” – Joyce Meyer
64. “Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what? Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.” – Mark Victor Hansen
65. “The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.” – Steve Furtick
66. “The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.” – Oprah Winfrey
67. “A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success.” – Elbert Hubbard
68. “Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands – and then eat just one of the pieces.” – Judith Viorst
69. “Change can be hard at the beginning, messy in the middle, but what happens at the end can be beautiful. It’s worth the effort.” – Robin Sharma
70. “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
The Takeaway
Words of affirmation can help your partner form positive beliefs and the right mindset to reach their weight loss goals. But remember that losing weight is more than just looking good. It is about gaining more confidence, having more energy, and choosing a healthier lifestyle.
If your partner needs a pick-me-up, go over your list of affirmations. And know how powerful your words are.
