Are You Trying to Get Healthy & Getting Flack for It? How to Get the Support You Need to Succeed!
If you think change is hard for you, be aware that it may actually be harder for your family and friends.
My lifestyle has changed slowly over a period of about ten years. I now consistently eat five to six small healthy meals a day, cheat at least once a week on something really bad, drink red wine, and try to maintain a fine balance. Even now, sometimes my family still does not understand. I get questions like, “What are you eating now?”,“Didn’t you just eat a few hours ago?”, “How do you eat so much and still stay thin?”, “Are you always going to eat like this?” The answer to this is a resounding YES. This is what I do for a living, what I am most passionate about and what my colleagues and I are fighting so hard against to make our country healthier. But there is a lot of resistance. Here are a few tips to help, so you do not feel alone along your journey.
1. Communicate in an open and loving way. To have healthy, trusting and supporting relationships we need to realize that relationships are 50/50. We need to ask for what we need and allow others to also communicate their needs and feelings. If feel you are being pressured by family to eat or drink more, say “no” politely and if it escalates beyond that, have a calm discussion about it after you have had some time to think about how to communicate in a rational way.
2. Find some support. This could come in the way of a therapist, lifestyle coach or personal trainer, an online tool, a meeting like Weight Watchers, a gym with members you feel comfortable with or even a morning workout buddy. It helps to be around people who are positive, have similar goals and may be experiencing similar battles. The key is to find people who will lift you up in life, support your goals and dreams and help you feel good about you.
3. Ask the individual who finds your change difficult to help. Ask for support from the person that finds your change difficult. They could be your go-to person should you hit a wall. Even better – ask them to do it with you!
4. Enjoy dinner with a friend. If you are going to dinner at a restaurant, split a meal. You’ll eat less and save some money. Share your knowledge about what is a healthy option and ask for the person’s thoughts on your choices for sharing instead of telling them why they need to eat the healthier option.
5. Take Control of Your Health. If a friend asks to get together for dinner and drinks to catch up, suggest a walk, coffee or breakfast instead. You’ll get some exercise, catch up and avoid unnecessary calories.
Here’s to you being happy, healthy and unconditionally supported!
Brenda
