Are Your Friends Helping Or Hurting Your Diet?
Henry Ford was on to something when he said, "My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me." Choosing your friends wisely - the group you hang out with on Saturday nights, or the co-workers you go out to lunch with - can have a tremendous impact on your diet success or failures.
After all, if you hang out with people who want to eat at Burger King every day, you are more than likely going to go to Burger King every day, as well. And if you hang out with people who like to exercise, you are more likely to exercise.
So, common sense tells us that if we want to reach our diet & fitness goals it makes perfect sense to surround ourselves with people having similar ambitions...at least for a while. And, there is a demand for this mind-set because working out together is fun. People like the camaraderie. When you and your friend are exercising together, you are more likely to follow through.
But a good friend is more than just an exercise or diet buddy. Beneficial pals will understand why you are trying to lose weight, and will be your loudest cheerleader every step of the way, whether or not they are trying to lose weight themselves.
Social support is crucial. there are scientific studies that suggest the importance of social support in recovering from disease states, so it makes sense that it would be important in health-maintenance states, as well. Besides, being overweight & unhealthy IS A DISEASE...QUIT KIDDING YOURSELF!!!
Let's be honest here...take a close look at the people you surround yourself with. Let's consider whether they are keepers or people you should keep away from, at least temporarily.
KEEPERS...You can spot the good friends from a mile away. When you are with these people you feel relaxed and free to be yourself. They accept you just as you are and you probably understand and accept them, as well. These are the people you need to spend time with...
- Do they understand why you are trying to lose weight?
- Do they offer their help whenever you need it?
- Do they listen to you when you talk?
- Can you communicate with them honestly and openly?
- Are they honest but tactful?
- Do they give you advise when you ask for it, but know when to back off?
PLEASE KEEP AWAY...Even if it's just for a while, some friends colleagues and even relatives who you may want to be with...well, AVOID THEM. AND BE ASSURED... the ones you feel closest to, or associate with the most, will usually be the ones who do the most to sabotage your success! Most times your good intentions to lose weight will make them feel uncomfortable about themselves and it's simply easier for them to undermine your efforts than to do something about their own dismal existence. BE AWARE OF THIS & WATCH FOR THE SIGNS!!! And YES...most of the time it will be done intentionally!!! Negative feedback can be very detrimental to your efforts. It's important to determine whom to spend time with and whom to take out of your schedule for a while...just until you get your weight, eating and exercise plans on track. Do any of these warning signs of a not-so-supportive comrade apply to your closest companions?
- A bad friend is not available when you need help - you are not a priority to that person. Your concerns are not his or her concerns.
- A bad friend is NOT a good listener.
- A bad friend is usually too wrapped up in other things to be bothered with your objectives and goals.
- A bad friend is dishonest - even two-faced.
- A bad friend is too dogmatic with advise - any way but his or her way is wrong.
- A bad friend will try to convince you that "one drink" or "missing one workout" will not hurt anything.
Obviously, I could go on and on...but I'll stop here...I'm sure you get the point. Besides...is there really such a thing as a bad friend? Again, let's be honest...if someone demonstrates any of these last traits are they really a friend?
So, should you ask a less-supportive buddy to step aside while you pursue your new lifestyle and form new habits? That depends on the degree of unsupportiveness and the degree to which you have other people in your life. If you feel like a person is really going to sabotage your efforts make an effort to find other people in your life who are supportive. They are out there. And they are worth finding.
Who knows? Maybe you'll meet some REAL friends!
Yours In Health,
Dr. Diet
You can contact
Dr. Diet
via e-mail with any questions at
drdiet@prodiets.com.
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