SALT LAKE CITY — When it comes to losing weight, counselors and dietitians say it’s important to surround yourself with people who will support you. But, which people are the right people?

It’s always good to have the support of your family and close friends when starting on any major goal such as losing weight. A recent blog from Intermountain Healthcare points out how family members can help a dieter cook healthier meals, or even exercise with the person who wants to shed some pounds.

“It’s nice to have somebody who is family or close to you who can be a cheerleader,” say Lou DePasquale, president of Attainment Life Coaching.

However, DePasquale says the people closest to you might not be the best people to rely on. Their feelings for you could cloud how they motivate you.

“People think, ‘oh, if I have a family member, a spouse or a co-worker [that I respect], they’re going to hold me accountable.’ Sometimes, that’s not true,” DePasquale added.

DePasquale recommends people find a third-party, not necessarily a professional coach, but someone who can keep their personal emotions out of the process.

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“[You need people] telling you what you need to hear as opposed to what you want to hear,” DePasquale said.

He also says people need to think very critically about their own strengths and limitations before starting a weight loss plan. What may have worked well for one person may not work well for you. DePasquale says one successful method is to break down your overall weight loss goal into manageable chunks.

“That’s the only way to really make a true change and understand that it’s going to be implemented for not just 40 days, but something that’s going to be long-term,” DePasquale said.

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