Being a Good Influence

Yesterday my dear friend asked me to go pick up lunch with her and if I needed a lunch too did I want the local yummy Chinese restaurant. I looked over the nutritional information and said we could pick it up for her but I would need to hit a different spot for a healthier lunch. We headed off to grab our lunches and she said her boyfriend didn’t know how she could spend lunch with a health nut me and did I judge her on how she ate. She told him no, that  I don’t care what she eats as long as I can get a healthy alternative and that we have fun at lunch. This really made me think. I know sometimes we want to point at people’s dishes and go do you know what is in that? But should we?

Well I think most often no. Those of us working to live a healthy lifestyle need to set an example for others. Don’t force your lifestyle on your friends, they could find you either really annoying or rebel against that lifestyle. There is a person in my life that I am sure is annoyed with my lifestyle and she makes a point to tell me every time she breaks out a large bag of chips and eats them all. So don’t hassle other people. They will notice on their own what you eat, your lifestyle, and how that is affecting you. But be ready to be supportive and informative if they come to you with advice about fitness and health. Show them healthy recipes or alternatives and invite them to your workout class! People will only change if they want to, not when you want them to.

On the other side of the spectrum, if you have friends who are not supportive of your lifestyle and try to sabotage you, you need to have a talk. Sit down and politely inform them that your health is important to you and why. You can still go to dinner with your friends just ask for a restaurant that has options for them as well as options for you! Win, win. So enjoy your time with your friends, stick to your guns about your healthy, and be ready to be supportive if need be!

Just a thought to carry you guys through your day! I know I have been slacking on the Photo A Day, I plan to catch up tomorrow, I have had a migraine every day this week so I have been a zombie. Last night we made homemade pizzas and I didn't even get to eat them because my head had my stomach all kinds of messed up so I went to bed after my dear friends left! [But I brought left overs for today - win!]

Have you ever had a friend that you influenced, or even have they influenced you to go against your habits? If so, share!

Live, Love and Lift!

-Kiwi and Me

For tips, suggestions, questions, or if you just want to share your weight loss pictures and story - email me at: kiwiandmefit@gmail.com