Support is the Key

Any time you take on a challenging endeavor, a big factor in your success is your support system. That support shows it's face in different ways. And everybody has different needs when it comes to support. Today I would like to talk about my support system and what helps me. These examples are from my weight loss plan, but I think they can apply with any situation you may face.

First and foremost, my biggest support is my partner, Lori. She is behind me 100% in my efforts to lose weight and participate in a triathlon. She also keeps me balanced so that I don't burn myself out. She cooks my meals and makes sure that they are healthy and nutritional. Lori wants to lose weight herself and we have a competition going at home to keep it fun. We joke about who did better on nutrition that day or offering a challenge to stay on track. Lori is the bomb and I just wanted to call her out on the support and let everyone know about how great she is.

Other ways to get support are through the people in our lives. Working out with friends or coworkers who are also working towards similar goals helps you both reach the goals, build relationships and have fun. Running into neighbors and acquaintences at the gym and sharing a smile or a word of encouragement is another example. Talking with others with similar goals and struggles definitley help out. Support also comes from the countless people you know who can help you with encouragement as well as those you'll run into along the way and who will have an encouraging word or gesture.

Surround yourself with positive and motivational resources, people and media. I have been watching TV shows and reading magazines and newspaper articles relating to others' success stories with their weight loss or their first triathlon experiences. I am going to be volunteering for the racing association that sponsors many of the local races to get exposure to the experience and network with others. I started listening to podcasts related to weight loss and triathlons. For where I am in my journey, I have found two great resources: Motivation to Move and Zap120.

And now, to update my progress, I spent an hour in the pool today working on the things my swim coach taught me such as strokes, breathing patterns and keeping moving when I get tired. It was a good workout and definitley had me huffing and puffing. Tomorrow will be the last day I workout this week. Talk to you then.