There’s a team behind your health choices—are they fueling you or draining you?

We’ve all got people in our inner circle who might be considered ‘toxic’.

Today I’m sharing 5 ways to deal with the people in your life who might be standing in the way of you hitting your fitness goals.

This topic was featured on a recent episode of the Crunches and Cosmos podcast. You can listen to the full episode right here:

I remember sending my older boys to camp in the summers and having a little anxiety about how they’d act when I picked them back up.

How they acted, reacted, their body language and words…I could tell if they’d been lifted up or down by the kids they’d spent the most time with during their time away.

Before you start to ask yourself what kind of camp I was sending my kids to, let me tell you this was church camp ya’ll.

So, what’s my point? Just because we’re all grown up it doesn’t change the way other people affect us.

Have you heard that you’re the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with?

Think about that…

I remember listening to an audio book years ago that was REALLY long and the narrator was British and my internal monologue became British for weeks.

The experiences in that novel (and the words I was so deeply focused on) took up residence in my head.

Do you ever watch certain shows on TV and then have nightmares about them? (I’m SOOO guilty of this.)

If I watch Vikings or The Walking Dead for more than 2 episodes in a row (I’m a binger) then you can almost bet on me having a nightmare that involves zombies or Vikings killing me or someone I love.

So, I have a point. I hope you’re still with me.

The things you pour into your mind through physical experience, or just hearing or seeing it affects you down to the core.

And this principle applies to every area of your life.

But specifically for your body and health I want you to understand that you’re in charge of the ingredients you pour into your life.

Are the things you’re seeing, hearing and experiencing HELPING you meet your health and fitness goals? Or hindering it?

I truly believe that caring for your body is one of the (if not THE) most important parts of a good life. Because your body was created to carry you through this life. It’s where your mind and spirit make their home. You’ve got to have a strong outside to have a strong and thriving inside.

The network of people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on you and your choices. In fact, this article points out some interesting studies that suggest your friends could be making you fat!

So, here’s what I want you to think about:

Is there anyone in your life that’s a constant drain on your fitness routine?

Is there someone that makes you feel guilty about taking the time to workout?

Is there someone that sabotages your workout schedule by always trying to plan something when you’d normally be exercising?

Is there a person that makes fun of you (teases you) about ‘your little workouts’?

If you answered yes to any of those questions then here are your options:

–>>Do nothing

–>>Ask yourself if you’re allowing that person to contribute to a little self-sabotage? This is on you. Take steps to fix it.

–>>Talk to this person and explain how their behavior is affecting you and ask them to please stop.

–>>Avoid this person and find someone else to spend time with.

–>>Recognize how that person is affecting you so that the impact is minimized. Don’t allow them to bring you down anymore.

Some people are just toxic.

We all have friends and family like that.

Don’t allow these people be a drain on your life. You can still love them but don’t give them permission to bring you down with them.

If someone loves you then they will NOT want to screw with your workout plans.

You only get one life and one body to live it in guys. Remember that. Take charge of your health and happiness. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and fuel the goodness in your life. And make sure you’re being that person for those you love, too.

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