I know. I know. We’re already more than a few weeks into the new year and so many of you set New Year’s Resolutions and you’re either excited about how well you’re doing or you’re feeling a little less than stellar because you have fallen short on your initial goal(s). If you’re looking for a blog that’s just going to hype you and tel you how great you are and you got this, you may want to stop reading. If however, you are looking for a way to support someone you care about with his/her resolution(s) and in turn it will most likely help you with yours (if you set some) then keep on reading.
Let them know they are not alone. I have clients of all different fitness levels, ages, backgrounds, financial means and so on and I can tell you no matter where they have come from they ALL benefit from having a coach and/or a strong support system. Some of your loved ones may not have the means to hire a coach (whether it be for fitness, nutrition, business, personal development, etc…) or they may not know how to go about finding the right one. This is where you can step up and help them stay on track with their goals. An example may be you have a friend that’s looking to stop drinking soda. I realize you may not be the expert, but you can ask them what their plan is and offer accountability to help they stay on track. You can shoot them a message, give them a call, hang out with them and ask how things are going, congratulate them when they don’t have the drink, when you go out with them don’t order one yourself and help them find rewards that are healthy each time they get one step closer to their goal.
Be a gym buddy. If you’re loved one is looking to lose weight, get stronger, tone up, whatever it may be offer to go to the gym with them and either workout with them or at least be there at the same time.
Share your story. I’m sure you may have struggled at some point with your own personal goals. Let them know how you overcame whatever obstacles you had to face to stay on track with your goals.
Be patient. Especially in the case of diet and exercise, you have to be patient. There is so much false information out there, quick fixes, fad diets, etc… and for those that may not have the knowledge you do, it’s very easy for them to fall into any one or multiple of these rabbit holes. Be patient with them and help encourage them to make healthy choices that will last a lifetime not just 4 weeks.
I feel if you keep the above ideas in mind when helping a friend, it will not only assist them in their goals, but by helping to coach them you are more likely to stay on point yourself. You can set up a competition with one another (even if your goals are not the same). Take the person looking to not drink soda any more. You may have a goal to get to the gym more often. Each time you go to the gym and each time your friend goes a day without soda you both get a point and at the end of the month see who has the most and then have the loser pay for a healthy meal out. However you decide to help, just know staying on track can be difficult, but with the right support system any one can achieve their goal.
Scott Keppel is the owner of Scott’s Training Systems, a world-class coaching facility in Chandler, Arizona. He is a nationally certified trainer through NASM and ISSA. His mission is to empower women of all ages and fitness levels. For more information head to scottstrainingsystems.com or check him out on Instagram at @stsnation.
