How do I approach my brother about his weight gain?

Question

My brother (who is 32) has put on a lot of weight in the past two years.I'm beginning to get worried, at first it was slow, but now he is clearly overweight and unfit...I'm not sure how to bring it up without being rude..I;m just worried about his health.What should I do?

Answer 1

if there's a sport or physical activity that you know he liked to do in the past, and you enjoy doing it as well. ask him to go out and join you. get him up off the couch, away from a table, far from food, and go out to enjoy some fresh air and competition.  

Answer 2

Let's call your brother Bob. and let's call you Sally. Here is an ideal conversation.

Take him out to lunch. Slowly and discreetly bring up the topic of weight and food.

"So Bob, been to any good restaurant's lately?"

"Yeah, have you tried Wendy's?"

"Well, that's kind of what I wanted to talk about...You're recent weight gain. I'm worried that you might get health problems. Recently you have seemed to gain some weight. Is there anything wrong?"

"Well..."

And then he tells you what's wrong with him.

Good luck.

Answer 3

This always kills me, when people think they need to inform someone they love that they're getting fat, for their own good.  Do you honestly think he hasn't noticed?  Do you think he doesn't see it when he looks in the mirror?  Do you think he didn't have a clue why he had to go out and buy bigger clothes?  He knows he's put on weight; he can feel it every time he climbs a flight of stairs, walks up an incline, or looks at himself naked in the mirror.  He doesn't need you to bring it up, even if you think you're doing it out of the kindness of your heart.

Instead, perhaps you should try to find out what's going on inside his head.  Maybe he's depressed, or perpetually angry, or in love and deliriously happy.  People gain weight when they're sad, mad, frustrated, and happy--it could be anything.  If he genuinely seems ok, then let it go.  The desire to lose weight must come from within.  People can unintentionally be so cruel when they talk to others about their weight.

Answer 4

You should say I'm trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Even if your already at the right weight, you can still eat healthier. ask him if he wants to join with you. that way he doesn't feel like he's all alone and he has support. Good Luck!!