Support

The thought of losing weight can be an awfully lonely one.  It becomes easy to think you're the only one around you who wants to lose weight and nobody else will get it.

Believe me - I get it.  I grew up in an upper middle class white southern California beach town.  The gals I had the opportunity to go to school with put Barbie to shame.  I kid you not.

Maybe you're faced with the same kind of situation, no matter how old you are.  That feeling of being surrounded by skinniness while you're feeling like the Pillbury dough boy or the Michelin man.  (I personally feel like these characters times two when I try on jeans a size too small!)

Does this journey have to be a lonely one???  Let's hope not!  I could sit here and spout off a bunch of research for you, telling you that doing things with people up your chances of being successful, in whatever it is you do.  But let's make this a bit more personal.  Think back to something you had to work hard for, something you had to plan for... maybe school, a wedding, work project, or a billion other things.  What made it easier?  I'm going to guess one of your answers was: support.  The knowledge that there were people around you who were either helping you or encouraging you to succeed in your task.  This journey need not be any different!

I can already imagine the doubts being tossed my way.  "But Morgan, that's easier said than done.  I mean, it's embarrassing to talk about my weight troubles.  And while I'm clearly on the chunky side, saying that to somebody else makes it REAL."  I speak from experience, as I have said every single one of those words out loud, minus the talking to myself part.  Ssshhhh.

Seriously though, it is real.  Your journey to health is going to inevitably involve part.  Not only will it, but it should!  Some of the skinniest people out there are the most unhealthy!  Inspire people on your journey to a healthier life.

Family/Spouse
Get your family involved!  Who cares what they look like!  Everybody can use more activity and healthy foods in their lives!  "But mooooooooooom, I want my macaroni and cheeeeeeeeeeeeeese!"  Well, alrighty then!  Who says you can't have some mac & cheese?  Throw some salad on the table, add in some grilled chicken instead of those overly processed hot dogs, maybe even make your own "healthified" mac & cheese with reduced fat cheese.  There are sooo many options out there and many "diet" foods taste sooo much better these days.  Trust me, I would tell you if otherwise.  I have rather discerning tastes.

Friends/Significant Other
Well hey now.  I'm pretty sure your friends would LOVE to get involved.  Instead of going out for drinks EVERY SINGLE WEEK, go bowling one night or take a hike together or take a group exercise class together.  Must everything include high calorie pursuits?  NO!  Or if you have a significant other who does not live in the home, does date night HAVE to include a fancy meal out worth a billion calories?  NO! What about making a delightful, delicious meal at one of your homes, together?  Pop a couple of candles on the table, throw on some schmaltzy music and you are GOLDEN.

Co-Workers
Let me guess, everyone goes out to eat every single day at lunch and you feel obligated to join.  First of all, the calorie take - WHOA.  Second of all, pocket books have to be hurting.  Let's stop the caloric and moola hemorrhaging!  Suggest everybody bring lunch Monday-Thursday and Friday can be "treat" day.  Have a "Biggest Loser" style competition, seeing who can lose the largest weight percentages.  Have a challenge, such as who can walk the most steps during the workday or who can make the yummiest healthy meal or whatever healthy funness you can come up!

Online Communities
There are a ton of online communities in existence that are geared toward people with weight loss goals.  One free site is Spark People.  You can track your nutrition and fitness, join teams with your interests/goals, and chat with people on boards.  You can even blog about your journey and post pictures.  It is as interactive as you want it to be.  Another example is joining the community on a popular health industry professional's site, like Tosca Reno.  Her site is also free and folks who want to try "Clean Eating" can join the forums and discuss their game plans.  You can even plan out your meals!

YOURSELF
"But but but, Morgan, you said this would be better with other people!  I'm confused!"  No, no, of course I stand by what I said.  But have you happened to notice that you just may not be your own best friend?  Well fix that!  Would you ever say the things you say to yourself in the mirror out loud to someone else?  Things like... "Fatty!"  "Look at those disgusting rolls, who would ever want me?"  "Ugh."  STOP THAT NOW!!!  If you wouldn't say it to someone else, don't say it to yourself!

Take a chance.  Talk to someone about your journey.  Maybe, just maybe, they will provide you with more than you ever dreamed.

“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” ~ Emily Kimbrough