Congrats for making the decision to exercise and eat healthy. When you first start it is exciting and challenging. One of the challenges that you might experience is not having support from your friends and family. This can make it extra challenging to stick to your new healthy habits when you don’t have support. I have experienced this and have learned how it is possible when you are all alone.
Follow these tips and you will be sure to have success.
1. Be Honest
Tell everyone around you what you are doing. This way there is no confusion at what you are doing. This also gives people around you the option to either support you or try to tempt you. Those that support you might come along after a while. Those that resist don’t take it personally. It is really about them not you. They may not be ready to give up their bad habits. Just continue to stick to your plan and be an example. They may see your success and come along eventually.
2. It’s All About You!!!
You made this decision to be healthy. It is not fair to except others to want the same thing. So, don’t force those around you to change or get offended when they don’t. It is your decision so you need to own that and stick with it. There will be haters that can’t wait to see you fail so stick with you goals and plan. Prove them wrong and prove that it is possible.
3. Guilt
Don’t guilt others into changing their behaviors. Don’t be judgmental on their food choices of lack of exercise. No one likes to be judged and made to feel bad. This also will not help people change. They need to make that decision on their own. So saying things like “Do you know how many calories are in that bagel” or “Do you know what is in that hamburger?” is hurtful and makes people feel bad. There are ways of offering advise without being offensive and hurtful. If someone asks for help or advise give it to them but do it in a supportive and loving way.
4. Bring Your Own Food
When you go to a potluck or someones house for dinner don’t expect everyone to adapt to your new lifestyle. Bring your own food options for people to share. This way you have food that you know that you can eat and you can encourage others to eat it. I would also be upfront with the host and tell them what you can and can’t eat. This way they are not surprised when you don’t eat certain foods or bring you own food.
5. Food Snob
No one likes to be around someone that can’t eat anything and they are super picky when you go out to eat. This approach to food is too consuming. If your food choices are too extreme, they will most likely be too hard to follow and it won’t last. Following a way of eating that allows for some give and take is the best way. It also allows for you to choose when you want to indulge a little and you can plan for that.
Looking down on everyone and judging them will not win supporters. It will turn people away. Again, this process and choice is YOUR choice not everyone else’s. You can have to be ok with doing it alone and know why you want a healthier life.
6. Find Support
Finding a support group is key to being successful. If you surround yourself with others that adopt your lifestyle you will encourage one another and support one another. It will also making it easier to stick to your healthy new life. You can follow me on my FB Page or subscribe to my YouTube Channel to get support from me.
7. Eat Before you go
Eat something like an apple and nut butter before you go to an event. This will make sure that you are not starving and then end up making bad choices. I would not suggest eating a whole meal but eat some snack that has some protein, fats and carbs. This will make sure that you feel satisfied and that you aren’t going to over do anything. You want the will power to avoid all those temptations.
8. Know Your WHY
Know why you want this and why you are doing it. To loose weight is not a good enough reason. You have to have a reason that compels you to do this and keep it up day after day. Some days are harder than others, but when you have a reason that motivates you and keeps you going no matter what, then it will not matter what others say or what others think about your new healthy life. You will do it anyways.
Changing old habits and starting new healthier ones can be hard. But doing it without support of family and friends is hard. Know that your choices are your choices. Be honest and open with people why you are changing and what you want to accomplish. Most people will be supportive and encouraging. Plan and prepare so that you will be successful in social situations. Life is crazy and unpredictable. Having a plan and being prepared will help you in your every day life.
