8/27/10 Building Your Support Group

Whether it be weight loss, muscle gain, or training for a marathon; it is good to have supportive people around you to encourage your goals. You’re already on your way to starting your new workout program. You’ve hired a trainer, bought new workout gear and are ready to go. Since you have already accomplished the first step it’s important to build a positive support group as you continue throughout your journey.

Try these tips to help you along the way:

Share your goals

By sharing your goals people will expect them from you and will encourage you along the way – or tell you if you are not following through

· Share you wins – “I lost 4 pounds this week”

· Share your struggles – “ I don’t feel like working out today”

· Share your goals with your social network (Facebook, Twitter, etc)

· Share your workout – “I did 100 pushups today”

Surround yourself with positive people

Stay away from people that will encourage you to eat fast food or skip a workout and ruin all your hard work. If people keep encouraging you to go to the local Burger joint, stay away! Find your true friends that will help positively influence you along the way and are truly happy for your successes.

Workout with a group or partner

Find a workout partner, join a semi-private training group or a large group class like those held by ForwardFit. By working out together and building a social club with similar interests, people will be more apt to follow through on their similar goals. Also, you will be more likely to feel guilty for missing a workout and letting down the group or partner. You become accountable for each other!

Try these few simple tips to help you accomplish your goals, and good luck!

-Bill Waltzek