Your social circle impacts every decision, big and small, that you make through the course of a day. Your social circle includes everyone that you come into contact with on a regular basis, including your colleagues, family, and friends. Does your social circle motivate you to maintain your healthy lifestyle or does it hold you back? If your social circle doesn’t share your healthy goals, you don’t have to find a completely new social circle, but you should consider following FitClub’s three tips below.
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Consider being the change your group needs. If you find that your time with your group too often revolves around junk food and alcohol, you can be the one to suggest a healthier alternative. Volunteering to prepare dinner at your house, suggesting an activity instead of a night in, or inviting others to join you for a Zumba class or in training for a 5K might be an easy remedy to your problem. You might even be surprised at the positive response you receive for suggesting a healthier alternative to your normal group outing. Perhaps even among your social circle is someone that is just waiting for a gentle push to a healthier lifestyle.
Stay focused on your own goals. Of course, not everyone in your social circle may be open to change and incorporating healthier foods and activities into your time together. Some might even resist your personal attempts to live a healthier lifestyle. It’s unavoidable that your social circle likely includes at least a few people that don’t share your passion for healthy living. If that’s the case, you have to create your own opportunities for a healthy balance when you’re together. Opening a dialogue with your peers can help you explain why your goals are important to you and how your lifestyle needs to change to achieve those goals. Even if your friends won’t join you in chasing your goals, they can at least offer support and help keep you accountable while you spend time together.
Create new social connections. Ultimately, whether or not we receive the support we need from our social group can’t be an excuse for not pursuing our goals. If your social circle can’t manage to offer either change or support, you may need to look to expand your circle to incorporate more people that have the same goals and healthy lifestyles. FitClub is full of likeminded people all interested in living a healthier life and getting fit. Group exercise classes, personal trainers, and even the member on the treadmill next to yours can be a great source of support and accountability. You can’t change a social circle that doesn’t share your goals, but you can expand it by getting to know your fellow FitClub members and spending time among healthy peers.
How supportive is your social circle? Do you find that some people are better able to help you succeed than others? What solutions have worked for you?
