Time: < 30 Minutes
STEP 1: Determine what adjustments you’d like to make to become healthier, when you can do it, and how often you plan to do it. Is there one friend that you’d like to support you each day, or can you change it up so you can have different buddies on different days? Start small and work your way up to a larger commitment—if it feels like a chore or an obligation you will be more likely to reject it or not prioritize it in your regular routine.
STEP 2: Call the friend(s) that you’d like to spend more time with, or one that you KNOW will help keep you focused on your health goal. Let them know what changes you’ll be making and how you’d like to include them in your plan. If they are willing, GREAT. If not, keep calling until you have someone that will support you. Be sure not to place all of the responsibility on them—they should be there to encourage you, not to monitor you.
STEP 3: Write down your goals, the dates you’ll be meeting/calling to discuss progress, and share it with your friend(s). Post your goals where you can see them, as well as on social media…you can ask others to join you on your journey to health and wellness.
STEP 4: Make it happen. Take the steps you set out for yourself to be healthier. Keep top of mind what you must do to keep up the good work and why you want to be healthier (be around for your family, decrease pain, increase energy and/or confidence, lose weight, look and feel better, etc.) If the WHYs are truly what you want for yourself, your progress will impact various life areas, and motivate you to keep health as a top priority. Celebrate your successes in a way that energizes you.
