“Show me your friends and I will show you your future.”

Have you ever heard that statement?  My youth pastor was known for making that proclamation and it always stuck with me.  That little piece of wisdom has dramatically influenced how I make friends and whom I choose to place in my close, inner circle.  

Of course we interact with dozens if not hundreds of people every day, but the fact remains that the people we choose to spend the most time with, have the most influence on our lives.  Their values, beliefs, convictions and language add to the environment in which we live.  It doesn’t mean we lose our individuality, but the more time we are in their presence, the easier it is to be influenced by what they say or do.

While some people speak toxic trash, others speak life-giving truth.  

As you are running towards your 2017 goals, persevering, developing healthy habits and wiping out damaging behaviors, it is critical that you consider the people around you.  These individuals are powerful and have the ability to lift you up and drag you down.  

Attracting and inviting the right people into our lives won’t only encourage us, but has the power to bring out the best in us.  

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

— Proverbs 27:17

In my years of nutrition counseling, the individuals that experience long term progress were those that invited support.  They actually asked for it, sought it out and created relationships that promoted personal growth. They realize this was a journey that they could not walk alone and actually needed people to cheer them on.  These individuals realized that “Negative Nellie” made them feel hopeless and “Diet-Crazed Sally” rode a rollercoaster to nowhere and “Lazy Lana” was staring at the consequences of her inaction.  

These clients realized the power of the people around them and the power of those they allowed into their inner circles.  Surrounding themselves with positive people actually helped them persevere when the journey was tough. 

When I was working for an outpatient bariatric program, I co-lead monthly support groups.  I was always wowed and amazed as I would watch people walk in feeling frustrated, depressed, and out-of-control and leave an hour later feeling uplifted, encouraged, empowered and courageous.  It wasn’t me; it was the other patients that sat in those same chairs and offered support, ideas, empathy and a listening ear.  

Those positive, uplifting patients played a necessary and dramatic role in helping others stay on track, keep moving and not be discouraged by bumps in the road. This happened every single month.  Again and again. What a beautiful picture it was.

We all reach places of despair and frustration, when we feel hopeless and at the bottom of a pit.  We all get weary along the journey, wondering how many more steps until the future looks brighter.  We all need someone to relate, empathize and simply say that they care.  

We need people, uplifting people, to keep walking and eventually reach the future we envision.

Are you walking with any like-minded people on your health journey? Choose people that have a vision for their health and are constantly moving towards it.  Choose people that treat their bodies kindly.  Choose individuals that don’t follow the next diet craze and instead, pursue a healthy lifestyle that includes real food with the occasional treat.  Choose those that speak truth, affirm, encourage and uplift.

If you would like to find some health-minded individuals that can support you on your nutrition and fitness journey, here are a few ideas:

• Walk/Run groups– You can often sign up for these through sporting goods stores, meet-up groups and track clubs.  A simple online search can help you find groups in your area.

• Church/social groups– Consider attending or leading a book club or Bible study group with the focus on health and fitness.  This is a great way to learn, share ideas and find support!  There are several programs specifically designed for small groups including: 7 Pillars of Health by Dr. Don Colbert, First Place 4 Health, The Daniel Plan by R. Warren and D. Amen and M. Hyman, or Lifesteps Weight Management Program.

• Dietitian Consult– Registered Dietitians are excellent resources to help you assess barriers and formulate plans to achieve goals.  They can help you develop a customized meal plan, strategize difficult situations, and direct you to beneficial resources.  Many dietitians also lead support groups, grocery store tours and cooking classes to help take concepts and make them easy to apply.

• Health Coach Consult– These health professionals can help you identify and assess motivation, integrate health recommendations into your lifestyle and create healthy language to meditate on that empowers you to thrive.  Make sure you find a credentialed Wellness Coach; many Registered Dietitians have also received training and credentials in health coaching.

Remember that healthy individuals are those that not only talk the talk but walk it out.  Consider people that demonstrate consistency.  Having a gym membership does not make someone an exerciser.  People that value health and fitness regularly carve out time for these activities, demonstrating that they are a priority in their lives.  

I encourage you to write down a list of healthy behaviors you want to practice regularly and then look for these in the people you know.  If you envision a future where you have energy, vitality, a healthy self-image and feel good putting your clothes on each morning, invite some people along the journey that can see you there too!   

If you see something beautiful in someone, speak it.

— Ruthie Lindsey

Choose people that speak truth, cheer you on and help you go to the next level.  Keep your future bright.

TRUTH: Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.

Proverbs 13:20 (MSG)

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