Success is much easier to attain when you have a support system. A support system not only motivates you through the tough times, it cheers you on when you succeed and sometimes make it much easier to succeed. Here are five great ways to create a system of support to achieve your goals:
1. Family
Family is quite likely one of the easiest support systems. They’re always around, they love you unconditionally and they want you to succeed. Extended families are always great for asking status type goals like, “So have you dropped those ten pounds you were trying to lose?” Moms can be great for the compliment goals, “You look great today.” “You’re exercising goal is really paying off.” Children are excellent for calling you on your slip-ups: “Mom, did you eat the last cookie?”
Husbands and spouses are there to hold you when you mess up and cheer for you when you succeed. All family members can help you attain your goals by providing you with an environment of support. For example, if you’re quitting smoking and your husband or family members smoke, they can try to quit with you, smoke outside, and never offer to pick up a pack for you while they’re out.
2. Friends
Friends are superior support systems because they challenge you to succeed. They make you laugh and keep you focused on being positive about your goals. Even better, friends can join you on your quest for a healthier life. Why not create a walking or exercising group and join each other three times a week for laughter and fitness? If you’re all striving to lose weight, you could schedule weekly phone calls or meet for coffee to discuss your trials and successes during the week.
3. Online
Online support groups, forums and chat rooms are fantastic. In fact they’re so successful, there are chat rooms devoted to helping people meet and attain their fitness and weight loss goals. In addition to chat rooms and social networking support, there are a variety of tools available online to track your success. For example, there is a fitness tracking application that is a Google plug-in. You can use it to track your mileage if you’re a runner, cyclist or swimmer, or you can track your weightlifting goals. It allows you to track the statistics of your workout and how you felt afterward. There are also similar weight loss plug-ins.
4. Programs
Most weight loss programs offer some kind of support system. Weightwatchers offers meetings, Jenny Craig offers online and in office support, and Curves offers support with their fitness programs. Sometimes program support is the best kind, because other people in the program are going through the same kind of struggles you’re going through and it’s easier to hear advice from them.
5. Journal
When in doubt, you can always count on yourself. Journaling your successes can help you stay motivated. When you’re having a bad day or struggling to stay with it, you can read your successes and stay motivated.
