Hi there,
Welcome back to ‘Hey Coach Darren’ – the weekly advice column where I’ll be sharing my top three tips on a different topic each week, inspired by real-life scenarios from our current members (and you)!
This week, we’re exploring a topic that many of us face at some point in our fitness journey – how to motivate and support our friends in starting their own health and fitness journey.
One of our FitTRAC members shared a heartfelt concern about encouraging her childhood friend to embrace a healthier lifestyle, especially now that they are living in the same city. She’s looking for ways to inspire her friend to exercise without hurting her feelings or seeming overbearing:
“Hey Coach Darren, I’m really excited and hopeful because my childhood friend just moved to Redwood City! I desperately want her to join me at FitTRAC!
Over the years, we’ve had multiple conversations about health and fitness. She’s often expressed a desire to lose weight and get fit, but she’s never taken any concrete steps towards these goals.
Our last conversation about fitness didn’t go as I hoped however; she seemed a bit hurt and off-put by the topic.
I really want to help her start exercising and reach her health goals, especially now that we’re in the same city. However, I’m concerned about how to approach this without offending her or making her feel pressured.
How can I encourage her to start on this path, showing her the benefits, while being sensitive to her feelings and past reactions?”
Your concern and empathy are commendable. I want to help you (and your friend), too. Here are three tips to gently encourage your friend to join you in achieving fitness goals:
Lead by Example and Share Your Journey: It’s often more impactful to show rather than tell. Share details about your own fitness journey, emphasizing the positive changes it has brought into your life, both physically and mentally.
Discuss how you’ve navigated challenges, the improvements in your energy levels, and the excitement of achieving personal milestones. Your own journey, filled with its ups and downs, can serve as a relatable and motivating example for your friend.
Be Sensitive and Supportive: Approach the conversation with understanding and patience. Be an active listener, acknowledging her feelings and concerns. Offer reassurance and support, emphasizing that her journey is unique and personal.
When she feels ready to start, be there as a source of encouragement, celebrating even the smallest achievements and offering a shoulder to lean on during challenging times. Your support could be the key factor in helping her feel confident and motivated to take the first step.
Invite Her to Join a Joint-Friendly Fitness Class at FitTRAC: Oftentimes, the energy and camaraderie of a group setting can be very motivating! Invite your friend to join a Joint-Friendly group fitness class at FitTRAC!
Being part of a group can help alleviate the pressure and focus on individual performance, making the experience more about community and enjoyment. Particularly because our culture is one of support and togetherness, not competition.
Also, all of our training sessions are progressive. So wherever your friend’s current fitness level is – that’s OK – we’ll meet her there and ensure she’s doing things that are appropriate for her and sustainable. And that last part is important – once she is in an environment that she feels she can be a part of, it’ll be that much more likely that it becomes a sustainable habit!
In conclusion, the path to fitness is more joyous and attainable when shared with a friend. Your approach should be rooted in empathy, support, and shared experiences. Remember, it’s not about pushing someone to change; it’s about inspiring them to see what’s possible!
Stay tuned for next week’s ‘Hey Coach Darren’ where I’ll be sharing more valuable tips to help you become happier, healthier, and stronger.
Stronger Together,
Coach Darren
P.S. Do you need help with your health and fitness? Just hit ‘Learn more’ and I’ll be sure to give you some tips in an upcoming ‘Hey Coach Darren’ blog post.