Choosing a Weight-Loss Buddy: A Key to Successful Weight Loss

Do you ever really talk about what you go through in relation to eating, exercise, and weight? Would you be willing to share your weight-loss secrets with another woman? If you haven't tried this route before, you may find success with a friendly support system.

When you team up with another woman, you can bounce things off of each other. You can look to your weight-loss buddy for new ideas, and you can give each other added strength, confidence, and hope.

Finding a Buddy

You may already have friends who share similar challenges and hopes. That could be a good place to start. However, if your relationship is already well established and isn't one where you'd feel comfortable "going deeper" in your conversations or committing to a partnership in your goals, your weight-loss buddy could also be someone you don't (yet) know so well.

If you belong to a gym, look for like-minded women in a class. You might even ask the instructor if he or she knows of others who would like to work on weight loss with a partner, and the instructor could connect you. The beauty of a gym-based buddy is that you know she is geographically close to you, has already taken some of the same steps you have (joined a gym), and you'd have a built-in meeting place.

No gym? A mothers' group; church, mosque, or synagogue; public library or town pool; adult education center; or online support group (such as BabyZone's community board Diet & Exercise Support) are also potential sources for buddies. You might even check posts on Craigslist or other online bulletin boards in your community—or post your own—to find interested partners. You can meet for a walk or a cup of coffee, and see whether your goals and personalities align.

Here's how to partner up when you're ready to work on taking off weight:

• Decide how you will meet—on the phone, through email, or in person.
• Decide how often you will talk. It's good to set up a special time at least once a week and stick to it.