February 19, 2017
Building Your Team
You’re motivated to keep working toward your goals, but are your friends in your corner? Do they cheer you on, ignore you, or sabotage you by bringing junk food to work? Whether you’re trying to lose weight or bounce back from a serious injury, social support is an essential ingredient in fitness! Here are some simple ways you can get your friends involved:
Plan a fun, healthy weekly activity with friends. If you usually go to dinner with friends, try getting them to do something new with you, like taking a dance class or going for a walk in the park. When you do go out to dinner with friends, choose healthier restaurants. HappyCow and Clean Plates are two restaurant directories that are great places to start looking.
Share your boundaries. Are you on a specific nutrition plan? Let your friends and coworkers know what you can and can’t eat, and write it down. Remind them that it’s OK for them to ask you several times. It’s great to have a “cheat day” or ot her system to let yourself splurge occasionally, but your “cheat” foods should be things you truly enjoy and pick out yourself, not stale doughnuts brought in by coworkers. People that truly care about you will respect your food choices.
Find one supporter. While a personal trainer or fitness instructor can be a great addition to your support system, it’s really important to also find one friend or family member who is truly on your side. Sharing your progress on social media is motivating for some people, but isn’t a substitute for a real human you can talk to about the ups and downs of your fitness journey.
ACE & NSCA Certified Personal Trainer
President
On the Mend Customized Fitness and Massage
