It’s not exactly earth-shattering to say that dieting can be difficult. If you’ve gotten used to eating poorly, for example, it can be hard to start eating healthy. You may feel deprived. You may start wondering, what’s the point? Maybe you cheat, and you realize how much easier it is just to eat whatever you want.
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Or maybe you feel too lazy to get off the couch one morning. It’s the weekend, you tell yourself. I deserve a break. Then that break stretches into multiple days of not working out.
However, then you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. Or maybe it’s something you can’t catch, like your breath after you have to take the stairs at work. A lot of us have been there. I stayed in a hotel last week whose elevator kept going out. Going up and down 11 flights of stairs taught me a valuable lesson. Well, two valuable lessons. 1, I love elevators. 2, I’m not as in shape as I thought.
If I had to carry the burden of my fitness journey on my own, I might give up. I have given up before, as I’m sure you have, too. Luckily, I’ve found people who can help me shoulder the burden. I belong to a couple of Facebook groups where we share recipes, share challenges, and just share in general. Having people who understand my struggle has been invaluable to me. Not only do we have people who will listen and who will answer questions, but we challenge each other, literally. We have challenges every month, like No-Cheat November, where we encourage each other to be better.
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I chose an online support group because I eat a particular diet, so it’s easier to find people online who eat like me than searching for them in real life. Plus, I can check in anywhere, anytime. You might find that beneficial, too.
However, if your diet or fitness goals are more traditional, you should be able to find a group in your area. For instance, if you have issues with overeating, many areas have Overeaters Anonymous meetings. If you don’t, there might still be a group you can join. An excellent resource is often your local hospital, as hospitals often run wellness programs.
Dieting is, no kidding, hard. That’s why it’s so important to have people who have your back. Whether they’re little avatars on a screen or real people in front of you, we need support. Some people may be able to go it alone and if that’s you, great. But for most of us, it helps to have a team. Don’t be afraid to find yours.
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