what can i do to help someone very obese?

Question

i'm worried about my friend that is obese.. he's 15 and he weighs nearly 300 pounds at 5'10... i try and talk to him but he always avoids it.. i feel really bad and i am really worried about his future. what could i do to help him? his mom refuses to get him a gym membership because she feels he wouldn't use it.

Answer 1

at 15, he probably wouldn't use a gym, or he'd be using the one at school already. He is likely embarrassed by his appearance and doesn't want to work out in a group setting like a gym. Ultimately, you can't help him, he has to work this out for himself. You can encourage him by inviting him to go for long walks, or if he will wear swim trunks, to go swimming. Keep encourageing him to join you in cardio type activities, like bowling, walking, horseback riding, skate boarding, roller skating, that sort of thing. Do not refer to his weight again, or you will drive a wedge between you when he probably needs a freind most. But remember, you can do nothing to change him, he has to want to do that for himself.

Answer 2

You asked the right man!! Well, you don't need have a gym membership, you can do it the old fashion, and more-efficient way, of diet and excersise, Well, start him off with some cardio, and deffinately a better diet, have him take vitamins, and lower his sugar intake, for, the more sugar you eat, the more you crave, also, fiber, it makes you eat less, and cleans out you arteries/lowers cholesterol. Now, for excersise, try more of a cardio routine in the beginning, then work your way more into body building and weight lifting as you go on, try going for atleast 5% of his body weight per month, until he gets to a desirable weight, that will be good!!

Answer 3

Kudos to you for caring, that shows true friendship. Sometimes people don't want to hear it that they need to lose weight even though they may know that they need to. If you have tried talking to him about it and it's not working, try talking to his parents. See if there's anything that they could do to help. Maybe offering to exercise with him or joining a gym with him. Most people are more apt to go at it with someone else than alone. Your friend may be scared and not really know what to do or where to start. Just by offering to be there for him and join in on the activities with him is a start. If nothing else works, try talking with your school counselor, he/she may have some ideas that you could try. You don't need to give your friends name, just tell them you really need help since you are really concerned for your friend and his health. Please, whatever you do, do not sound demeaning or come across like you are putting him down when talking to him, that's the last thing he needs right now. Just tell him you are concerned and you are willing to help and join in on exercising with him, not only will that benefit him but it will for you too.

Good luck to you and your friend!!

Answer 4

You are a great friend. Okay, forget the gym. He is too embarrased to go most likely. Now, he doesn't want to talk about this I guess. It really sucks being fat , you know? Especially as a teen? He really needs to want to lose weight on his own, no one else will or can do it for him. One day he will wake up and decide it is time. Just try to get him out of the house and keep him active. Call the Montell Williams show..

Answer 5

In many of our lives, food is a comfort food, it is like a friend that comforts us during difficult, stressful, and sad times. Food maybe playing this type of role in your friends life. Being a teenager is difficult and adding overweight to it can be hurtful.

Your friend may not know that food plays this role in his life so of course you all are thinking that a good gym and a good diet will do the trick for weight lost when it will not. Because food plays this role in his life, he will be starting one diet fad after another trying to lose weight and not understanding way he continues to binge (overeat).

Instead of a gym, if would be best that his mom uses her health insurance and get some counseling for her son to find out what maybe bothering him that he is or may not be aware of.

It will not be easy for your friend to give up food because it would be like telling him to give up his best friend when he needs him most. As you may have read in many of these "Yahoo" questions under "diet and health" losing weight is not an easy task nor keeping the weight off once lost.

Best of luck to you and your friend.

Answer 6

You obviously really care about your friend and that's great. He needs help,and knowing that someone cares about him is going to help him a lot. Unfortunately, you can't help him lose weight until he's ready to admit he has a problem. My suggestion is, offer to go to a meeting of Weight Watchers with him. If he just goes once, he will probably start to get the help he needs. And with you to support him through it, he'll make it. Hopefully he'll learn good eating habits for the rest of his life. You are a good friend.

Answer 7

How sad for your friend. It must be so hard being in high school and being so overweight.

The problem is that unless he wants your help, you can't help him. He might even be embarrassed by you bringing up the subject.

You're a good friend to care so much. I'll tell you what. Ask him to email me through Answers or at my website below and I'll help him for free. I work with many teens.

Kimmer

Answer 8

Your friend's mom is probably right--no one is going to be able to help your friend except himself. Especially if he refuses to talk about it.

Try not talking about the weight issue with him and instead try to involve him in activities that involve some physical exertion. Ask him to go for walks or bike rides with you, etc., but don't make it seem like exercise, just make it seem like two friends hanging out and having a good time.

Good luck! It's great that you're trying to help your friend! :)

Answer 9

Getting him interested in Weight Watchers, if you can.. he'd lose weight just following their plan, never mind adding exercise and drinking a million glasses of water..

It's not very hard to follow (their 'flex' plan lets you eat anything you want.. just puts a reasonable limit on the amount).

Good luck in getting your friend healthier - he's lucky to have you around!!

Answer 10

Hi, i have been a personal trainer & a bodybuilder for 25 years. I could give you a really good plan for your friend along with lots of good tips that will help her. You may contact me at;
[e-mail]