Everything is better when you can do it with friends. You knew it in Kindergarten, it was true as a teenager, and even The Beatles even knew it as a fact: we get by with a little help from our friends. Why would it be any different when you are doing something so fundamental like improving your personal health?
Friends are the family we choose. They know everything about us, from our likes and dislikes to the most embarrassing stories that they politely pretend to forget. When you are setting out on a weight loss program, having the support of your friends can make a huge difference in your ability to focus, to overcome obstacles, and to ultimately reach your goal.
At least this was the findings of a team of researchers out of the University of Pittsburgh, who found that people who joined a fitness or weight loss program with friends were about 20% more likely to complete the program and reach their goal than were those who did it on their own. The group who joined the program with their friends had a valuable benefit that the others did not, which was ongoing support and accountability from someone they cared about. Of those who did participate in a weight loss program alongside their friends, more than 65% were able to maintain the weight loss results, compared to a mere 25% percent of participants who tried the program solo.
Teaming up for weight loss can help you make the most out of your weight loss program in Scottsdale, Chandler, Glendale, and Phoenix. Here are a few tips for getting your friends on board with your weight loss efforts:
- Be open with your friends about your desire to be healthier, and see how they respond. If a friend expresses a similar interest, suggest joining together.
- Don’t ask a friend to lose weight with you if they haven’t expressed a concern about their weight before. Doing this can push your own concerns over weight onto a friend, and this may cause stress in a relationship.
- Keep an open mind when it comes to weight loss plans and choose the best one for you. If you and your friend have different interests and want to try different weight loss plans, great. You can still encourage each other and work together.
- Set time aside when you and your friend can get together to talk about strategy and even exercise with one another. This will help with accountability.
Friends play a huge role in the weight loss process. Whether you are in need of emotional support, a physical boost to work out more or added accountability to eat right, talk to your friends and family members about the role they can play in your weight loss program.