Peer Surroundings and Weight
I read an interesting article in Newsweek the other day called Why Women Lose Weight—or Don’t. One thing that I found very interesting about this article was that when people normally hang out with overweight people, they tend to gain weight. When people hang out with healthy people, they tend to be more healthy as well. It’s amazing the effect that your circle of friends and acquaintances can have on you!
The article suggests that the reason this happens is because when you hang out with either group, you start to consider what you see to be normal. So if you consistently hang out with people that are overweight, you may start to see this as normal and accept it and become it.
So what does this mean to you? Well, it may explain some habits! We tend to have similar habits as those we spend the most time with. This is something to keep in mind if you’re trying to make changes. Part of you is going to be honestly sincere in the desire to change. But another part of you is going to be very resistant to this change. Does this mean you need to run out and change friends? Probably not. But you’ll have to be more aware of the habits that you have accepted and really be disciplined to make changes.
Recognize that habitual voice for what it is. Then make the conscious decision that you are making other choices now. This takes some work, but if you keep working at it you’ll get the hang of it.
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I think that could be true if you spend every second of your day with your partner, or at least a significant amount of time with them. I also think that larger people tend to gravitate towards each other; my best friend is overweight and she has only dated guys that are on the heavier side.
I can understand what you read about and are writing about. I have a lot of overweight friends and i have become a bit overweight over the past few years of hanging around with them. In my eyes peer pressure and external surroundings are the main cause for overweight and obesity.
I believe there is much validity to this statement. It’s the old “birds of a feather flock together” thing.
If you truly want to improve your life and the people you are around do not want to do the same, then pursuing your goals will often lead to your old set of friends falling away, and a new circle of friends forming around you!
It’s usually not a thing to hurt anyone, usually though someone who weighs in heavy with fat isn’t usually interested in climbing a mountain with you!
James
Interesting point. Similar to the main points of the law of attraction. If you really want something (ex. to lose weight) then you need to motivate yourself and imagine yourself being really thin and WANTING to be thin. If you are consistently hanging around overweight friends who don’t share the same passion and enthusiasm for losing weight they can (and will) bring you down. Keep this in mind when hanging out with your friends if you are REALLY serious about losing weight and getting into shape.
I agree with you people hang out with healthy people, they tend to be more healthy as well.
That’s interesting and I see how it could be true. People who are overweight probably aren’t eating properly or overeating, and if you are hanging out with them, there’s a very good chance you would do the same.
Plus, if they are not very active, you are not going to be very active by hanging out with them.
The same principle applies in many different aspects of life - If you want to be successful financially, hang out with financially successful people.
Barb