Synopsis
You will become like the people that you associate with. If your closest friends and family members are obese you can be as much as 171% more likely to be obese. On the other hand if you hang around active and health conscious people you are more likely to also be healthy. Be a good health influence to your circle.
Exercise – Who are the five people closest to you? Are they a good or poor influence on your health? Are you modeling health or illness for them?
Response
I am probably the most health conscious of the 5 closest people to me. I do actually get feedback that insinuates that my focus on health is unhealthy. Some of them think I’m overdoing it and they are wrong. I still eat cookies, pizza, and have sugary drinks. They just aren’t a staple of my diet. They are the occasional treat. I probably treat myself to them too often honestly. I still have a gut but these people tell me how skinny I’ve become. I’ll even hear phrases like “some people don’t have the genetics to get 6 pack abs.” I need to recruit friends that say things like “”If you want 6 pack abs it is attainable. It is hard, but it is possible.”
I actually met a guy a few weeks ago that really inspired me. He has an interesting backstory of being unhealthy. I met him the day after he ran a 50K with 7000 feet of vertical feet up Mount Diablo. He has also set a goal and is well on his way to run every paved inch of the Tri-Valley. If I were to publicize a goal like that my circle would try to have me sent to the hospital. I need to hang out with people like Mike. He also told me about a group of like minded runners called Brazen Racing. These people will push my limits towards health and not drag me towards weight gain.
Author – Brian Ahlering