Week 7 – Building a Supportive Environment Outside the Gym

Mary wakes up early, throws on her workout clothes, and heads to the gym.

It’s a cold February morning at 4:50am.

There are only a couple cars on the road. Most people are snuggled up sleeping in a warm bed, waiting until they have to get up.

That was Mary before she joined the Small Group Program 6 weeks ago in January. Now she’s beginning to live differently and experience the positive impact lifestyle changes have on how she looks and feels.

Building a Supportive Environment

Aside from the physical changes she can see in the mirror and feel in her clothes, she’s motivated by the uplifting community of coaches and Sculpt Fitness members. It’s exactly what she needed to jump start her journey.

However, some people in Mary’s life don’t extend her supportive environment at the gym.

Friends poke at her nutrition decisions and how she’s “no fun” anymore and her family, especially the kids, don’t want to eat the same meals.

The lifestyle changes she’s made have highlighted how the people in her circle promote her previous habits, the old Mary.

Creating a supportive environment can be difficult, because we cannot force others to think, act or want the same as us. But, what we can do is explain how important our health and wellness is so that friends and family will be more aware of the work we’re putting in to better ourselves.

Those who truly care about us will support us.

Support can be a simple “You’re doing great” from a loved one or a bigger commitment like being an accountability partner.

Mary is the first person in her circle to make lifestyle changes that prioritize her health.

Being first is hard, because she is forging the way.

Her decision to be different is being noticed and with time her circle will see her transformation…and maybe be a little jealous too.

As Mary stays the course, she’ll either motivate those around her or push them away.

But we hope her circle decides to pull closer to her and experiences the positive impacts of exercise and nutrition

Creating a supportive environment starts within first — giving yourself the credit, encouragement and praise you deserve.

“If you build it, they will come.” – Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams

You have power over your environment, and more importantly, yourself!