If you have a tight-knit circle of friends, you will know how important it is to have their support when you are trying to achieve something in your life. Just knowing that people close to you have your back when you are striving towards a particular goal can be incredibly helpful. If asked, you would probably be able to wholeheartedly say that you would do the same for those close to you as well.
One such time that you may be required to do so is when a close friend is trying to lose weight or to improve their fitness. This can be a tumultuous time in any person’s life, and it can often end up being your job, as a friend, to support your loved one on their fitness journey. Here are just some of the ways you can do so.
Be mindful of where you eat with them
If you have arranged to go out for food with your friend, consider carefully the restaurant you pick if it is you who is doing the choosing. For your friend who is watching his or her figure, suggesting dinner at Five Guys may not go down all too well. Or, stuffing your face with pizza and dough balls while they munch on a salad could be considered a little insensitive.
Food brings about much temptation, so try and cut back when you are eating with someone who is already restricted their diet. If you are cooking for your friend at home, find out prior what kind of food they are allowing themselves and try and meet these requirements, even if it means you have to buy ingredients you wouldn’t usually get.
Offer to work out with them
A great way to support your friend on their path to a healthier lifestyle is by offering to be their new workout buddy. Studies show that people who work out with a friend are more likely to stick with their regime and therefore see lasting results.
If consider yourself a bit of an expert and you have been wanting to coach your friends for a while, why not consider becoming a personal trainer? You can find personal trainer courses all over the country and many people find it easier training with someone they already know.
Be there for them when they need you
Exercising and changing your relationship with food can be challenging on a day to day basis. Your friend may have some days where he or she really struggles to stay on track, and days where they may even fall off the wagon completely. When this happens, you may need to provide some words of wisdom, or a shoulder to cry on.
Don’t be that friend who offers a night in with a tub of Ben & Jerry’s; your friend needs to stop seeing food as a comfort, so if you can, make some healthy snacks to binge on instead. Let them get out all their frustrations and then help them focus on getting back in the game – they will thank you for it in the long run.