Weighing In on Weight

Physical appearance can be a touchy subject across the board. Whether you’re out to compliment someone on the success of her weight loss journey, or are eager to help someone out by advising him to head over to your personal trainer for a physical assessment, choosing the right words and the right moment to say them (or even the right time to just stay quiet) is essential. Although you may be coming from a place of sincere concern, commentary on one’s appearance can easily rub one person the wrong way, or be accepted as constructive criticism by another.

Before getting yourself involved in a tricky situation, read up on these short tips to make sure you always tread the line carefully.

The latest fad diet.
If you’re hooked on one cleanse after another, or are keen to speak about the wonderful effects that Paleo or Cohen has done for your body, make sure that you talk only about yourself and don’t egg someone on to join the bandwagon too. Unless you are positive that your friend or relative is actually looking for some advice, stick to your own truth instead of laying down what works for you on someone else. Remember that each individual is unique and what is effective for one body can have ill effects on another.

When someone asks…
Women are notorious for asking their husbands, boyfriends or even friends if a certain dress makes them look “fat.” There really is no right answer to this question, although one big no-no could be out and out, answering “yes.” Doing it as a joke can leave your friend’s ego, heart and mind scarred; saying it bluntly will be as damaging too, even if she asked for it. If you feel like an outfit isn’t doing your friend any favors, talk specifics—tell her that she would do better with a different cut because that would accentuate her legs or her tiny waist, rather than just leaving her with a one-word answer.

Assuming thin is in.
Just because most of what’s seen on TV, billboards and media highlights skinny as beautiful, does not mean that those who are preternaturally lithe love everything about the way they look. Telling that person that “they’re too skinny” can be patronizing when you mean it as a compliment, and can also be met as an insult when that person is trying to put on some weight. Instead of commenting on a person’s body type, why not compliment them instead on what you love about the way they look?

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