The Keys to Success in Health and Fitness Week 2: Build Your Support Team

Just like our society needs teams of construction workers to build our streets and highways, individuals who are building their own roads to greater health and fitness almost always need a dedicated team to support us and help us stay motivated along the way.

However, many of us find that when it comes to changing our eating and exercising habits, we actually need to look outside of the group of “usual suspects” –our family and friends – when constructing our health and fitness support team.

Why? For one thing, the people who have known you longest are used to you being the way you are now, and change can make even the usually-supportive people in our lives nervous. Make no mistake, the journey you're taking to improving your health and fitness will almost certainly change more about you than the size of your jeans. When we commit to wellness we frequently change habits we've had for years – habits that the people around us have grown comfortable with and accustomed to.

Not only that, but it's also the case that as we start seeing results – from improved energy to enjoying our bodies more – our attitudes tend to change as well.

In addition to being uncomfortable because “the you” they know is changing, your current friends and family may feel some extra discomfort if they are still involved in habits that aren't in the best interests of their own health and wellness. If your sister is used to going out with you for French toast and eggs every Sunday after church and suddenly you're ordering an egg white omelette and a fruit cup, she might feel as though you're trying to send her some kind of “message” when all you're actually doing is taking better care of yourself.

Without meaning to sabotage your efforts, even your most well-meaning family members and friends may unthinkingly make your journey more of a challenge. Your sister might remind you (maybe over and over) how fantastic the French toast is at your usual breakfast place. Your book club may start telling you how much they miss those wonderful chocolate chip cookies you used to bring. Your spouse or partner and children may complain that you're not bringing home as many treats from the grocery store as they're used to having, or ask why Wednesday isn't lasagna night anymore.

I'm not suggesting that you should put up road blocks that exclude your family and current friends from your health and fitness journey. What I am saying is that these people may not be the ones you'll want to look to for your primary support.

That doesn't mean you have to travel your road alone! While each person who is working to improve their health and fitness is definitely on their own individual road, the fact is that there are several people right here in your own community who are already traveling parallel roads to yours. The people who have joined RydeOn! University, for example, as well as the regular members of other RydeOn! classes, are forming their own supportive mini-communities.

Outside of the RydeOn! community you can also find supportive people – the other people in your neighborhood who are going on regular walks, for example. And don't forget that there is a huge variety of Internet-based communities available where people gather virtually to help each other stay motivated toward their health and fitness goals.

The point is that your road to health and fitness can and ought to be a joyous one. It's also going to be a challenging road – and you don't need to make it even more of a challenge by worrying too much about why the people you love may not be as supportive of your efforts as you'd like them to be. Don't dwell on wondering why the people who love you may not be able to support you on this road – instead, revel in the new social circle of like-minded, mutually supportive people that you are building for yourself!

The people who love you will be with you for the long haul anyway, whether or not they are able to support you on your road to better health and fitness. At worst, they may grumble and complain a bit until they get used to the “new you.” At best, though, your success may inspire them to take their own health and fitness journeys, or at least to start thinking and talking about it – a true win-win for everyone!