FITNESS WITH AN UNSUPPORTIVE FAMILY

You have people that care for you right? But, do you ever get the feeling they love you ‘just the way you are?’ On the face of it that’s heart-warmingly sweet, but when you look a little deeper – it could be holding you back, or worse… limiting your quality of life.

Maybe you’re a lone wolf with no one who seems to care… my thoughts and experiences in this blog cater for you too my friend (see you do you have one friend!).

My entire working life has been about health & fitness in one form or another. In addition to work, I also competed as a 400-metre runner for over 25 years – and not once did any member of my family watch me run. Why? They would rather chew their fingers off than watch or participate in sport.

Here’s the thing: It never bothered me, even as a kid.

Why? Just because YOU are passionate about something, or have a set goal in mind (like getting leaner, stronger and athletic) – you have to accept that you cannot, and should not try to convince anyone to support you in your goals.

I get that sounds counterproductive, but it really does work out for the best in the long-run.

”YOU CAN LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, BUT YOU CAN’T PREACH HEALTH INTO PEOPLE.”

 
Life and healthy relationships don’t work that way.

The best thing you can do is simply be transparent and open with your friends and family, so that any time they show an interest in what you are doing you’ll welcome them in joining you in a training session or ‘getting their hands dirty’ when you are preparing a healthy, refuelling snack or meal.

If that curiosity happens – NEVER use it as an opportunity to sell your goals and beliefs to them, just be normal and your natural passion will come through.

You see: The pursuit of health, fitness, goals, world-domination are self-driven actions and intrinsic desires that require one person, and one person only to make them happen – YOU.

IF YOU NEED SUPPORT, YOU CAN DEFINITELY SOURCE OUT LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE, BUT THAT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY BY DEFAULT.

In addition to the comments I’ve made so far, also remember that some people – even those that love you like crazy, may simply not support you because they have their own underlying issues and insecurities that come off as being uninterested in what you are doing for yourself.

This is more common than you might think.

I truly believe that being prepared to chase your goals without the expectation of support from friends and family is the best way to achieve your goals without distancing yourself from those you love and care about.

One goal does not fit all. You and the rest of your friends and family are allowed to have your own goals without the fear of losing the valued relationships you’ve built simply because your goals and lifestyles are not in line with each other.

Don’t feel like an outlier. Simply accept that support shows itself in many forms – even if that’s giving you the freedom of running 400-metre races in different countries for 25 years without once ever asking how you got on – It’s cool with me, so let it be cool with you. ☆