The people you surround yourself with will be the biggest influence on your (fitness) life.

According to research, the people you habitually associate yourself with can determine as much as 95% of your success or failure in life. We are actually way more affected by our environment than we think. In the words of motivational speaker Jim Rohn: You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. These people affect what sorts of conversations you participate in, what lifestyle you follow, and your attitude and behavior about certain issues. Eventually, you start to think, behave and make decisions like them.

Therefore, it is important to hang out with the right people for healthy personal growth.

Check out these tips / practical steps you can take to improve your social environment and better achieve your goals!

*You’re the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.*

Maintain Meaningful Social Connections

Humans are social animals. We naturally seek relationships and friendships. No matter how independent we are, we cannot survive alone. In fact, studies have shown that loneliness literally kills. Social connections are important for a long and healthy life.

Furthermore, a person’s fitness or life success isn’t solely a result of his/her own feats. It is also through the help and support of others that allows him/her to realize his/her dreams. Think about it - anyone accepting an award will always credit their achievements to others. Even the most disciplined person can benefit from involving the right people in their lives. Particularly for fitness, finding like-minded people and working out together can create motivation that individuals cannot generate alone. This is especially so if there are shared goals as that can bring a sense of closeness and accountability. The journey will be far more enjoyable and sustainable in this way.

Some practical steps you can take:

1) Surround yourself with positive and encouraging people. Share with them your fitness or life goals so that they can be more understanding about your lifestyle choices.

2) Sign up routine fitness classes together with a friend or family member.

3) Find a community to work out together (e.g. spin classes, HIIT gyms)

4) Get a personal trainer.

*Working out together is more enjoyable and sustainable.*

Deal with Negative Relationships with Grace

On the flip side, negativity can drain away energy, deter you from improving, and might even cause you to give up on your dreams. There will surely be people in your life that put you down, and may be from people closest to you. For example, studies have shown that obesity is contagious. If you want to lose weight and eat right, it would be better to stay away from people who attempt to convince you that dieting and exercise is “stupid” or “unnecessary”.

The dream in your heart may be bigger than the environment you find yourself in. You will need to leave that environment in order to see your dreams being fulfilled. Detoxing your life from these relationships will allow you to become the person you truly want to be.

Nevertheless, it is important to recognize the difference between people who are negative in the long term, and people who pass negative comments merely once or twice unintentionally. After all, people make mistakes and change. It is also important to recognize the difference between negativity and feedback. Negativity puts you down, while feedback helps you to progress.

Some practical steps you can take:

1) Share your ideas and goals only with people who can provide constructive criticism.

2) Minimize interactions with people who are discouraging and bitter.

3) Stop participating in meaningless gossips.

4) Mute / unfollow social media posts which you think are toxic to your mental health.

*Negative influence will drain your energy.*

Be Open to New Connections

While you might be fortunate to have uplifting and successful people in your life, some may not have the right support system in theirs. Instead of blaming in on “luck”, you may need to be open to forming bonds with the right people. This can be crucial for your health and self-development.

Apart from connecting with like-minded people, we need people to challenge and push us to be better. We also need to learn from these people. Therefore, it would be a good idea to connect with people smarter and more capable than you.

Some practical steps you can take:

1) Find a coach or mentor

2) Join networking and support groups

3) Ask for help from experts in the field. Successful people are usually willing to share their experiences.

4) Read books or follow successful people on social media.

Conclusion

The fact of life is that people come and go. Some might hold us back, while others might propel us forward. We have to accept this fact and learn how to deal with it. This is done by constructing our own social environment. Although there is an element of chance, we should learn to take control and forge our own social bubble.

Remember - community is good for your health, but only if it is good community.

Do share with someone who needs to see this!

P.S. - still struggling with fitness? Drop me a message!