It’s not always easy to share with people that you’re trying to lose weight, especially if you’ve tried and failed before. But keeping your goals to yourself just makes you more likely to fail again. How can people support you if they don’t know you need it?
Tell me if this has ever happened to you: You’ve decided to lose weight, or get fit, or live a more healthy life and you’re doing really well. Then you go out with your friends, knock back a martini or 2, dig in to the giant plate of nachos ordered by “the table”, and split dessert with your friend because “she couldn’t possibly order one by herself, so if you don’t split it she won’t have any.”
Or worse, someone you live with insists on having chips, sweets, and other junk in the house at all times.
Share your goals
In the example above, it’s easy to get annoyed at the pushy friends insisting on encouraging bad habits, but is it really their fault? Unless you tell those around you that something has changed, they’re going to assume everything is the same.
If you’re trying to make healthier choices, tell your friends and family. You’ll be surprised at how willing people are to help you.
Ask for support
What do you need to be successful in your goals? Ask for it! Be clear. Be honest. And don’t feel badly about it.
It’s important to be open and honest with those around you. If you’re trying to quit soda, tell your coworker not to swing by with a 3 pm Coke. If you’re trying to eat more healthfully, tell your husband that some foods are going to have to stay out of the house for a while.
There is power in numbers
Even better than having people around who support you, is having people working toward the same goal as you. It’s energizing and motivating. So buddy up!
A fitness buddy can help you stay on track and be accountable to yourself. They will celebrate your successes and pick you up when you’re feeling down. If you haven’t talked someone about creating your fitness, do it now. You can go on this journey together.
Here are some ways a fitness buddy can support you that you may not have thought of:
- Work out together
- Swap recipes
- Cook for each other – You cook one night and share, they do the same another night
- Create a workout playlist
- Take a new exercise class
Edited to add: I’ve recently read a book, Secrets of a Former Fat Girl, in which she gives some fairly compelling reasons not to tell everyone about your goal. (Namely, you don’t want people shaming you every time you put something other than celery near your mouth.) Choose your people wisely. 🙂
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