Sticky Situations: Is it ever okay to tell your partner to lose weight?

Is it ever okay for your partner to tell you to lose weight?

Woah I just felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. How dare someone I love tell me I’ve packed on a few pounds? 

I’m getting my back up and we haven’t even started to discuss this topic. 

So, let’s take the emotion out and look at the facts.

The Medical Journal of Australia found that obesity in Australia has more than doubled in the past two decades. 65 per cent of us are overweight and 29 per cent are considered obese.

There are too many weight-related illnesses to count.

BUT, and yes, it’s a weighty but, there is so much emotion associated with being overweight.

Is it putting too much pressure on your partner?

I truly believe there are so many reasons other than overeating that people are overweight. I think fat people are judged constantly. I’ve lost a stack of weight but I’m still classed as overweight. I’ve carried that stigma most of my adult life. I judge myself harshly about it so I don’t want to be judged in my own home. 

For me, the topic has to be treated with empathy, encouragement and there has to be boundaries.

The 9Honey superstars Shauna Anderson, Jane de Graaff and Jo Abi discuss what those boundaries should be in the video above.