Don't go at it alone

In my previous post I mentioned how having a support group is great for maintaining and increasing your motivation for fitness.

Today we cover how you and your support group can spread fitness like a virus. You will do this by encouraging other individuals who like fitness or desire to be fit into your group. Do not limit the size of your group. Build it up gradually. Remember you can be the catalyst for many starting a fitness program and/or maintaining one.

 

"Dr. Christakis mentions there are three reasons for this sort of relationship between us and our friends and how we impact each others’ lives. One is called INDUCTION which is where my behaviors impact yours. So I’m actually causing your change.

 Another it’s called HOMOPHILY - like birds of a feather they flock together – people who work out a lot tend to group together. So the first one is where I cause a change in your life. The other is where we just get together because we do the same things.

The third thing, it’s called a CONFOUNDING INFLUENCE where basically neither of the two above can describe why we’re impacting each other. 

So these are some explanations for this type of thing, but I’m a big believer in when we want to improve our lives the first step is not necessarily to do something, but it’s to notice. It’s to pay attention. And there’s a great quote in a book that I read recently, where the guy was just talking about, he was starting a family with his wife. And he just said a lot of people don’t pay attention in life.

The first thing is you have to understand how social networks play a role. You have to pay attention to our social network because it’s really, really important."

So surround yourself with positive people, workout together, encourage each other. Remeber the support group works both ways so be there to support and encourage your friends and this in turn is a great reinforcer of your commitment to fitness and health.

Best of health,

Bradley