THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT

Having the support of friend and family has been shown to be such an important factor throughout your health and fitness journey.  Being surrounded by people who  eat badly, drink excessively, smoke and don’t value exercise and fitness, makes your health and fitness journey more challenging, particularly in the early phases, when you are more vulnerable to peer pressure and giving in to temptation.

What to do?

Turning your back on friendships is never first choice.  I personally have some amazing friends who don’t value their health (at least not to the extent that I do).  Some I would describe as physical very unhealthy, but they’re good people, and great friends that I wouldn’t want to lose.   My advice to overcome the pressures imposed on you by friends who don’t share your desire to change and become healthy:-

1.       SPEAK TO THEM:   

      Be open about your decision to embark on a healthy lifestyle, your reasons, your goals, what changes you will need to make, and how they can support you. They will likely appreciate your honesty and want to support you.  If they don’t respect you enough to take you seriously, or they’re not interested, or you feel you can’t speak to them, perhaps they’re not such great friends, and you need to make the decision to spend less time with them, or distance yourself completely.   Chances are, good friends will listen, they may need time to adjust, but they will in time accept the changes, support you the best way they know how and even make lifestyle changes, themselves.

2.       MAKE NEW FRIENDS:  

      Make friends with people in the same boat as you through  for example, Sleekgeek.    Share your experiences, go to park runs, join a gym, join a hiking club or start your own activity with friends you meet.   The more time you spend with like-minded people to support you, to celebrate your victories and pick you up when you’re down, the greater your chances of success.    This is particularly important if you find that you are not receiving the support you need from old friends and family.

The important thing to know is that you are not alone and with a bit of effort, you can surround yourself with all the love and support you need to succeed.

LET GO OF BLAME

QUIT THE BLAME GAME!

There is very little in this world more destructive than blame, and it is sure to derail your progress. We all fall into the trap of blaming circumstances, situations, ourselves or other people when we fall short of the mark. Do these examples sound familiar:-“It was the festive season, I had no choice but to over indulge, I couldn't be a stick in the mud….” Or, I will start an exercise programme when my financial situation improves.” Or …“I hate myself for being so weak!” … Or “I have no time for gym.” … Or “My mom always said I was clumsy, so, she’s to blame for my lack of exercise and weight problems”. The reality is that ultimately your success or lack there of boils down to your decision to take an action, be it possitive or negative.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not undermining the challenges and the hard work that may lie ahead to let go of blame, and that people and circumstances may have caused real pain. The reality is however, that successful people don’t blame. Be it in business, relationships, or lifestyle choices, everyone that I know who is successful is able to acknowledge the challenges of the circumstances they find themselves in and the problems created by themselves, others or situations, learn from them, and take accountability for their own actions moving forward.

So, from today onwards, do something, however small to let go of blame, whether that requires the support of friends, this community, or professionals, or just being mindful that we hold all the cards- we have power over our own decisions and destiny, nothing can rob us of that power unless we choose to allow it to. If you find yourself saying, I had to eat the pie and chips because there was nothing else to eat, stop and remind yourself that eating the pie and chips was your choice, nothing more, nothing less-own it-it's an empowering first step!

And on that note, let’s stop blaming ourselves, that’s only going to reinforce a negative self-image and give you an excuse to fail! Acknowledge when you may have let yourself down, (but don’t beat yourself up about it), hell, you’re only human. Learn from your mistakes, do it differently next time, pick yourself up and keep doing the best you can.

Finally, remember, baby steps:- change doesn't happen over night, consistently making small changes over time, forming new habits slowly will, in good time snowball into something amazing.