Get Healthy With Friends

Have you ever tried to lose weight or make healthy changes on your own, only to fall back into old habits sooner than later? Having a buddy makes all the difference in the world when it comes to forming new healthy habits! I’m Wendy Corr, with your daily wellness tip!

So often we decide that this time, we’re really going to go on that diet or start going to the gym, but then time pressures and scheduling conflicts arise and our well intentioned plans fall by the wayside.

This is just the situation in which a workout buddy or a support group can make a huge difference in your success!

In research published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, doctors at Brown Medical School and Dartmouth University found that people who had an exercise buddy who successfully lost weight were more successful at losing, too.

Here are three reasons why it’s a great idea to get healthy with others, rather than going it all alone:

First, working with someone else means you’re more likely to stay on track. When you know someone will be meeting you at the gym, or  when you’re meeting a friend for lunch, you’re both more likely to keep the appointment and to make healthy food choices! Accountability makes a big difference in your long term success.

Second, studies show weight gain—and loss—is contagious. In a Harvard study, researchers found that social networks play a significant role in the incidence of obesity, both positive and negative. In other words, people with obese partners, other family members and such are more likely to be obese themselves.  So connect with someone else who has the same health goals!

And third, you’ve got built in cheerleaders. When you have a friend or two who know from their own experience how hard it is to stay on a healthy course, they know the right words to say to help you through hurdles and to celebrate your successes!

So if you’re not currently working with others to get healthy, FIND A BUDDY! Or a group, or a team. The accountability, socialization and “peer pressure” make you more likely to be successful!

Thanks for tuning in to Wellness with Wendy! I’m a certified holistic nutritionist, a mom, an entertainer and a radio personality – so finding balance is the key to my life. I love sharing tips and tricks to help you live your best life – so for more health and wellness news and advice, follow my blog on mybighornbasin.com. See you again next time for Wellness with Wendy!