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Friend or Foe: There Is A Weigh To Know
One reason you are not losing weight, could be that your social network (friends, family, co-workers) are getting in the way of your weight loss plan.
You have decided to commit to lose weight. The fridge is stocked with healthy food options and you are building physical activity into your daily life. Everything seems to be going well, but after a couple of months you notice you are falling into some old habits again. One reason you are not losing weight, could be that your social network (friends, family, co-workers) are getting in the way of your weight loss plan.
According to a recent study by the Harvard Medical School and the University of California, social networks can prevent you from losing weight. The study found that when someone becomes obese there is a 57% chance that a friend will also become obese. Further, there is a 40% chance that a family member will become obese as well. This does not mean that weight gain is spread like a virus, rather it can be affected by your social network. For example, you might find yourself in situations with your social network that impact your health such as Friday night drinks with friends, going out to an all-you-can-eat lunch with co-workers, half-price chicken wings, or eating an extra helping of a family favourite at meal time. All of these little things can interfere with your weight loss plan.
In most cases your friends, family, and co-workers are not trying to stop you from losing weight but they are not always trying to help you either. This does not mean you need to avoid them. The truth is, with the right mindset, your social networks can also be a powerful support when you are trying to lose weight.
Your social network can help you by supporting what you are trying to do. They can help you make specific changes (e.g., helping you grocery shop or making healthy choices when eating out), make some of the same healthy choices with you, help you deal with temptations, and stay on track.
If you want your social network to help you reach and keep your weight loss goals, communication is the key. You need to talk with them early on so they know you are trying to lose weight and that it is important to you. You should also learn to:
Just Say No. Just say “no thanks” to unhealthy foods. You don’t need to explain yourself. This might only make it harder to say no.
Take it and leave it. Many of us don’t like to waste food, but a lot of times the portions exceed what we should be eating at a sitting. You don’t have to clean your plate. Get in the habit of taking less rather than more. You can always go back for more if you are still hungry.
Look for patterns. Be on the look out for things, that make you want to go back to your old ways such as the candy dishes at work or all you can eat lunch buffets. Stay clear of those who try to make excuses for you to eat poorly or miss your daily physical activity. These people are not truly trying to help you meet your goals.
