Genna Hymowitz, PhD, is a psychologist at the Stony Brook Medicine Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center in New York and Director of the Bariatric and Weight Loss Psychology Program in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. She is an Integrated Health Fellow of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. She provides evidence-based interventions for weight management. Her research focuses on biopsychosocial factors related to chronic medical conditions, including obesity.

Support, whether from professionals or those close to you, can make the difference in succeeding in healthy weight management or struggling to stay on course. As a psychologist at the Stony Brook Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center, I have studied many factors that can affect weight management. Here’s what I see in my research and experience.

Why Is Support Important for Weight Loss?

I see support as a pivotal part of a weight loss program for the following reasons:

The research my team and others are doing suggests that individuals with more support might be more likely to stay engaged in a weight management program and maintain their weight loss.

I see support as a pivotal part of a weight loss program.

What Are the Downsides of Not Having Support?

In my practice, I see that negative social interactions can undermine efforts to lose weight. It’s easy to feel isolated if you don’t have adequate support, which can lead to people giving in too soon because they become discouraged if they aren’t seeing weight loss.

Without knowledgeable, professional support, someone might turn to unhealthy fad diets rather than using evidence-based guidelines. They might easily buy into weight-loss myths, such as the idea that exercising more always leads to weight loss.

They might miss out on helpful information and resources or awareness of medical tools that can help with weight management.

How Can I Handle People Who Are Unsupportive?

Family members and friends who are not supportive make it harder to stick with dietary changes. I have some patients who want to eat more healthfully, but their families expect them to make separate meals, which can add to the challenge.

I often see situations where family members insist on keeping snacks like cookies, chips, or candy out on the counter, so you have to walk past them anytime you go into the kitchen. That would make it difficult for most people to consistently make the healthiest choice.

Reflection can help you limit the ability of a negative comment to dictate your behavior. Notice the comment, then stop and take a deep breath. Stay in the moment and take stock of how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking, and only then choose your next action.

In my practice, I see that negative social interactions can undermine the effort to lose weight. Wherever you find a lack of support, it’s important to advocate for yourself.

Where Can I Find Support?

You can get support for weight loss efforts from many reliable sources, such as:

If you choose online support, be aware that the information may not be accurate. However, the Internet can be a good place to follow like-minded individuals through a social media page or an online group focused on hiking,biking, or otherrecreational physical activities.

Tips to Help You Through Weight Loss Efforts

Here are a few more tools I recommend to support healthy weight management:

Support can come from trained healthcare providers with the expertise to help you address difficult issues or from family and friends who have your health and well-being at heart. If you are working on weight management, take the time to find the support you need and deserve.

As told toNancy LeBrun

1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Spreckley M, de Lange J, Seidell J, Halberstadt J.Primary care-led weight-management intervention: qualitative insights into patient experiences at two-year follow-up.Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2023;18(1):2276576. doi:10.1080/17482631.2023.2276576

1 Source

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Spreckley M, de Lange J, Seidell J, Halberstadt J.Primary care-led weight-management intervention: qualitative insights into patient experiences at two-year follow-up.Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2023;18(1):2276576. doi:10.1080/17482631.2023.2276576

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Spreckley M, de Lange J, Seidell J, Halberstadt J.Primary care-led weight-management intervention: qualitative insights into patient experiences at two-year follow-up.Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2023;18(1):2276576. doi:10.1080/17482631.2023.2276576

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?