Diet talkincludes any conversation around restricting certain foods or exercising to lose weight and/or change your body shape.
These kinds of diet-related conversations usually mean someone you love is not feeling so great in their body.
So how do you communicate with compassion about a topic you find unpleasant?
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Asking questions can be a great way to gain insight into someones lived experience.
I’d love to know: What has been helping you feel good about the body youre currently in?
What does health mean to you?
What are things that help you feel good in your body?
Respectfully express your thoughts and feelings.
You dont have to create perfect replies to touch on all of the things.
Keep it concise and to the point, and who knows?
This can create a great opportunity for growth on both sides.
Here are some phrases that you might try:
You cant determinehow healthy someone isby how much they weigh.
It doesnt make me feel good when our conversations are about diets and weight loss.
There are so many things that are good for our health that havenothing to do with weight loss.
Offer helpful resources for rethinking bodies, weight, and diets.
Always ask before offering up information because they may indeed not want to hear it.
If youre interested in learning more, let me know and I can share some of my go-to resources.
I read thisreally great book that redefined how I saw health.
I can let you borrow my copy or send you the title if you want to take a look.
I actually discovered this new way of eating that is more about well-being over weight loss.
I feel so much more liberated.
Let me know if you want me to share some articles about it with you.
I do it all the time without any explanation.
Oh, were talking about how great youve been doing because you ate salad all week?
Cool, how are things going withwork?
What hobbies have helped you feel sane these past few months?
Have you beenreading anything goodlately?
What shows have you been watching?
Fully clock out of the conversation.
Self-preservation is incredibly important, and you should consider how youre going to feel based on your approach.
One day you may walk away, another day you may be sharing podcast episodes.
