Who needs enemy’s when you have friends like yours?

I’ve given up on trying to find a topic this month as there’s just so many general things I want to cover in the hope that a lot of you will have experienced some of the points I want to mention. As I keep droning on about I’ve done some big weight loss or weigh gain myself, but what has really brought some of these points to light is my work as a diet coach. Recently I have embarked 11 people on a 6-week diet shred and its so far so good with them all, excellent progress has been made so far and targets are being met. My problem is not with these people.

WHY DO PEOPLE HATE THEIR FRIENDS DIETING!!! If your friend has made the decision to diet, why would you then feel the need to shit all over their decision and not be supportive. Think about your own experiences, have you ever looked in the mirror and just been unhappy with the way you looked, time and time again have you tried to eat better and failed at the first or second hurdle? Has this repeated failure or sight of your own appearance made you feel upset or deflated? The decision to get a personal trainer or nutritionist is therefore not a decision that is taken lightly, putting your food choices into someone else’s hands is a big deal, if your friend tells you they have made this decision, responding with “why! You don’t need to diet” will not suddenly fix all their insecurities and make them question if their decision is the right one! And! If you are out with your friend and they are trying to be healthier by ordering something better to eat or not drinking, that is their decision, just because you want to fill your body with what is practically poison doesn’t mean everyone else has to. They could be doing it for health reasons, have bad relationship with alcohol, or just want a break from hangovers, what they don’t want is an unsupportive friend nagging them and pressuring them into making bad decisions. Baffles me how people think its hilarious when they get their friend to give into drinking culture.

Whilst I’m on this, if you’re the fatter friend, and your less fat friend is going on a diet, be inspired, don’t start telling them it’s the wrong decision just because they’re ‘skinnier’ than you. If they are doing it properly with the help of a professional, they aren’t going to be ‘too skinny’ or even unhealthy for that matter, 6 packs are considered to be the epitome of health, do you know how little body fat you need to have in order to have a 6 pack? It’s a lot more then you think you have to lose in order to get one, trust me. I’ve been ‘too skinny’, I’ve also been TOO FAT, like proper massive. Not a single person said a word when I was so big I struggled to put my socks on in the morning, or climbing the stairs was like ascending to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, but almost everyone had an opinion when I was “too skinny”. Obviously, some people do suffer with eating disorders, but instead of judging their choices straight away, ask some questions, the people I’m working with are all on 5 meals a day, that doesn’t sound like someone who is borderline anorexic.

This isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned this next topic, and it won’t be the last, but why do so many people struggle to be consistent? Just because you’ve exercised 3 times a week for 3 weeks does not mean you’ve earned a week off. You should never take a week off from eating right either. And why does a bad week at work automatically mean no exercise and junk food? Or an alcohol binge? “I need a week off”, no you don’t, you need a slap and a kick up the arse, get to the gym and stop being lazy.

Outdoor classes have been going great, since the return of some normality back into our lives, working out alongside others has been such a breath of fresh air. I’ve loved being face to face with everyone, shouting at a camera just isn’t the same as seeing someone physically push themselves more when you give them encouragement. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has stayed with us now the gyms are back to normal. I like to think we have created a bit of a community of like-minded people, and touching on my rant at the beginning, we are all working to a similar goal.

Working to a common goal one of the biggest motivators for people, especially when we all start to make each other accountable. If you start a challenge with a friend you are so much likely to succeed! So, I’m going to put this out there as a little challenge to you all. Set a goal with a like minded individual, and then see it through! Let me know in the comments what it is you’re going to do, post it on Facebook with the hashtag #blogchallenge. This can be anything from run 100 miles in 30 days, set a new PB, or lose a set amount of weight, but see it through! Get on each other’s case and give them a hard time about sticking to it. A little competition never hurt either!

Big Love,

Aaron

Ps. please don’t get offended either I’m using the word fat, it’s the easiest way to describe someone with body fat, I’m usually more scientific with my language so I don’t mean obese, fat to me just means excessive body fat, for reference I consider myself very fat at the minute, but I can still put my socks on.