It Takes a Village

I got a great comment from Jill recently:

“Over the past 6 years I have lost 80 pounds. I am struggling with the dreaded “last 10″. Due to a surgery and an injury I have not been able to exercise for the past 15 weeks. While I was doing all this sitting- I started a blog. I never knew that blogging could be so therapeutic. The community out here is so loving and supportive. I don’t feel so alone anymore. Thank you for being so honest(and funny) about your journey. I look forward to following your story and getting inspiration from you!!! Thank you!”

The fitblog community is definitely a good one! It’s a place to find support from other people going through the same struggles. Finding friends on Twitter and other blogs is a great way to find camaraderie. I’ve seen so many people on Twitter say something like “I need help getting motivated to do ____ (go to weight watchers, go for a run, go to the gym, etc)” and then that person is flooded with support. I think that’s awesome! Sometimes all you need is that little extra push from someone.

When I was 250 pounds I never knew that this community existed. I really wish I had. I wish I had known about the weight loss blog world. I think it would have helped me a lot and it might have given me good ideas on how to lose weight. Instead, I kind of muddled through it all by myself.

This is not to say that I didn’t have support. I had tons of support from most of my friends, my family, coworkers. I had a solid support system of people who encouraged my weight loss efforts, congratulated my progress and celebrated my successes.

The people that were not supportive, went by the wayside. I had no room for them in my life.

The ones that were supportive and awesome have stuck around! True friends! The risk was worth the reward! I’ve also met some great people through blogging! Some are internet buddies and some I’ve met in person and really enjoy spending time with!

Why it takes a village to lose weight: SUPPORT! Having support from friends and family keeps us on track in the day to day drudgery. Sometimes it’s hard to stay consistent in good habits but with people cheering you on, it’s easier. Working out is so much more fun when you do it with a partner. It doesn’t necessarily need to be working out in a gym–it could be hikes and walks in the sunshine.

So if you are struggling to find some motivation to lose weight, look to your friends.

• Join Weight Watchers for the community and accountability.
• Start a blog to stay accountable to yourself, and to network with other people trying to lose weight
• Ask friends to workout with you!
• Join a Running Club! They are usually free and it’s also a good way to meet new friends.
• Ask family members to join you in healthy activities.
• Join a chat group online.
• Join SparkPeople.
• Make friends at your gym, or better yet, make friends with a Personal Trainer!

There are always ways to find a positive, healthy group for support. You just have to look for it. 🙂

I’m lucky. I have tons of friends who are supportive and active. My friend Robyn likes to work out with me. Michael encouraged me to try cycling and now I commute to work and I’m training to do 100 miles! I am lucky to have the support.

QUESTION: Tell me about the support you get from your village.