Hi there, IMO and I am not trying to be mean. This is what I would do... First let me tell you about myself, I always ate like a pig and even to the point where I had to throw it up afterwards. You are concerned about your wife. Good you should be! You need to give her some tough love, let her know you love her as a person but she needs to change and not tomorrow, right now. Even if she gets mad. Yeah everyone talks about how she is not a baby, but the fact remains is she does not know how to take care of her eating habits. You need to guide her as much as you can. If you truly want her to lose the weight then be that drill seargant. She will thank you later. I know I could only wish someone would of done that for me. start off small. Tell her to switch to diet drinks. Yeah I know they are not the greatest but I hated diet drinks but now I cannot tell the difference. BREAK the habits! Goodluck and I hope I didn't offend anyone but if I did. then perhaps there is a reason for it. I am in the process myself of becoming the new me and it's hard but I want it so bad!

as she's taking him for everything he's got in divorce court.

it's not what he wants.. she has to want to do it... you cannot change someone else.. they have to want to do it for themselves...

Definately agree with maleficent here. If someone did that to me Id be so mad that Id probably go out and eat my own weight in chocolate just to 'get back' at them! Now on the other hand if they told me they didnt like seeing me upset and asked was there anything they could do to help, it might just motivate me. You need to know that your partner loves you regardless of your size or shape, and the tough love approach doesnt really do that (not for me anyway).

I realise that you are concerned for your wife's health - but size 16 is not really a great deal bigger than average and clearly the recent scare was a bit of a false alarm.

The best thing that you can do is do all that you can to convince your wife that if her weight never reduced - or for that matter were to double or more - you would find her the most attractive person on the planet.

Next time you go clothes shopping with her - if she asks you to pass her something - pass her two items - the size that she last bought and the next size up. If she has got thinner she will not mind sending you back for a smaller size.

Consider shopping at shops that do not go down to size 8. There are lots of shops here (in England) that cater for larger sizes and cover size 16. They are designed to flatter the fuller figure so she may get a better choice of flattering styles. Size 16 would be a smaller size there.

I must admit that I got concerned when I was size 30 / 32 and I didnt know any shops near me that went above that size. I am sorry that you percieved that she felt fear at size 16.

Perception is a strange thing. I feel comparitively svelte now that I am between a size 24 and 26.

Others have suggested that you offer to take over the shopping and cooking. This is a good idea. Your wife may stick to the meals that you produce - but she is an adult and if she wants to supplement it or replace it - you should not try to stop her.

Since the doctor has suggested that diet and exercise is the key - you have a plan to approach the diet - so exercise is required to complete the set.

Not everyone wants to spend time in a gym. Not all exercise needs to take place at a gym.

It seems to me that your wife may prefer you to go out into the countryside. You could have a nice enjoyable walk looking at the views. The steps are just as valuable as those on a treadmill at the gym and you get the benefit of fresh air. You could both wear a pedometer and see how far you have walked. If you wish to keep records of exercise done you can jot down the number of steps and distance walked later when you get home. Pack a snack of fresh fruit and diet soda and you will feel like you have had a pleasant day out.

Retail therapy can also have it's benefits. The last time that we went shopping at a mall or in a city centre we walked for miles. Wear a pedometer and see how far you walk. If clothes shopping is inclined to be sensitive - you could offer to buy her shoes or something similar which has not really changed as she has got a bit bigger - e.g. jewelry, bags etc. Alternatively you could look for music she likes or something for the home.

Walking is a valuable exercise and can help people lose weight. I have lost 92 pounds this year following a strict diet and walking regime (although I still have as much to lose again). I was inspired by the weight loss of Charlie Walduck using this method which is described on

The Official Web Site of Dr Chris Steele as featured on ITV's This Morning.

Charlie lost 420 pounds in two years.

Best wishes
Margaret