Damaging Relationships

In coaching I get asked how to deal with non-supporting friends or family. What do you do when someone tries to sabotage your progress with unhealthy food or accuses you of being “obsessed” with making healthy life-style choices?

When you announce you are on a “diet” or joined a gym, suddenly all eyes fall upon you and your every move. Are you all talk or really serious? Sometimes people actually look for your failure, to justify their own! How do you deal with the people that want you to go out drinking or eat crappy food?

No matter how strong your will power, some situations are better avoided. Develop a success mentality… “ I can drink alcohol and eat crappy foods or I can take another step now to reach my goals.”

Truth is, when you make it to your goals, you will look and feel so much better you will be motivated to stay there.

Often our closest friends and our own family can be our worst obstacles. It’s hard when the people we love are negative influences. Yet their positive words can lift your mood when you are frustrated by the sweets you shouldn’t have eaten or the workout you didn’t do.

It doesn’t have to be either-or when it comes to your friends and family. If you ask them to help you stay on track, they may say yes. It’s also possible you might have to spend less time with them or set boundaries.

Often the “sabotager” knows that they too should be following your lead, but unlike you they are not taking action. Learn to not let them be in control your healthy lifestyle choices. You’re stronger than you think.

Make it a priority to ask for help. Find someone who knows more about how to achieve your goals than you do. If you think you have someone, but you aren’t getting the results you want, maybe it is time to seek out additional support.

You don’t need to go at this alone. If you have not already taken advantage of the 30 minute free strategy session I offer maybe now is a good time: http://bestbodymakeover.com/strategy.html

Your social support will always be there to keep you on track. It may be the person that got you to join boot camp at 5:30 in the morning, or the one who calls you up for a walk or tennis game on a Sunday instead of going to brunch. Support like that can keep you on track when you may have been likely to stray.

Social support can be the reason any workout or diet is successful. It is that powerful. While no one can eat or exercise for you, having an accountability partner or somebody with your best interests in mind will give you that edge.

Are the people in your life behind the actions you want to take to improve your health? If not, how are you managing this? What support system do you have in place that helps you? Just post your comments under this blog post.

Be well,

Lauren