You’re not alone: finding your fitness cheerleaders

Us human beings are social creatures. Life is, when it all boils down, about the connections that we make with the other people we share this planet with.

Some of us have more independent spirits than others do, and that’s great. But independence can only take you so far.

There are very few things in life that you can do totally on your own, and embracing a healthier, more active lifestyle is no exception. No person is an island.

If you want to make lasting changes to your lifestyle and stay motivated, then you need to surround yourself with people who will help you make that a reality.

Having the right people cheering you on and being in a positive, motivational environment can be the key to transforming your life.

So, if you’re serious about getting fit and staying that way, then it’s time you started either truly appreciating and nourishing the community of cheerleaders you already have around you, or taking steps towards building one.

To kick us off, let’s have a quick look at the kind of people that won’t be a positive influence on your fitness journey, before moving on to the kind of people that you do want to surround yourself with.

How to identify negative influences

It can sometimes be hard to decide whether a friend really is a bad influence.

People who reject a healthy lifestyle can sometimes try and make it seem like people who are trying to live well are boring, or need to learn to live a little.

I’m sure that you’ve got at least one friend who came to mind when you read that.

Someone who’s a negative influence on your fitness journey is that person who consistently tries to persuade you to just have one more drink, even when it’s clear that all you want to do is go home.

They’ll never be the one to keep you motivated and moving forwards or pick you up when you’re down, but will agree with you whenever you complain that a healthy lifestyle is all too much like hard work.

There’s no need to cut people like this out of your life, but you might need a little space from them whilst you’re finding your healthy feet and working on your self-control.

They definitely shouldn’t be the person you go to when you’re feeling down about your fitness levels or low on energy and wondering whether you should give the whole thing up.

Surrounding yourself with cheerleaders

Having people there cheering you on can be the difference between you continuing on your journey towards a healthier you, or giving up, turning around, and going back to your old ways.

Putting your energies into finding a cheerleader, or a whole group of cheerleaders will pay off massively, as it will mean that you adopt a whole new healthy way of life, rather than just going on a temporary health kick and quickly running out of steam.

After all, if your friends are all down the pub a few nights a week, you’ll want to be there too. But if your friends are all at an exercise class or out for a walk together, then that’s where you’ll want to be.

Whenever you waver or look like you might be about to take a step back, you need people that are there to remind you why you’re doing this, and give you a nudge in the right direction.

They have your best interests at heart and won’t be afraid to push you, even if you might push back now and again.

And you, in turn, cheerlead for them. It’s all about being there to support one another, rain or shine.

So, how can you identify a good cheerleader? Chances are you’ve got a few of them in your life already. Here are a few signs that someone’s going to be a great person to go on your fitness journey with.

•  They’re working on their own health and fitness.
•  They’re experiencing similar issues.
•  They’re all about congratulating, rather than comparing or competing.
•  The only person they’re trying to beat is themself.
•  They won’t let you give up.
•  They’re encouraging and supportive.
•  They’re a good listener.
•  They’ve got an upbeat, positive attitude.
•  They’re on a similar schedule to you, so you can do activities together.

If you feel like you could use a few more people that tick all of these boxes in your life, then a group training session (like those we offer here at Sean Salinger Fitness)  is a great place to start. You’re sure to find people who are in exactly the same boat as you and understand you.

Making new friends can be a slow process, but it’s worth making the effort and consistently reaching out. After all, some of your old friends who knew you when you were living a less healthy lifestyle might find it hard to understand this new version of you.

Find people who you can be accountable to, and who you can hold accountable. That way, when you commit to doing something, you’ll actually do it.

Watching them make progress will also motivate you to keep moving, and telling them not to give up will reinforce your determination to keep going, even when it’s raining outside or your energy levels have hit rock bottom.

Together, you’ll move forwards, make huge amount of progress, and have a lot of fun whilst you’re at it.

Who’s your biggest cheerleader? Leave a comment over on our socials @seansalingerfitness letting us know why they’re so amazing.