You've Got a Friend In Me!

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one!" ~C.S. Lewis

Just like the Toy Story theme song states..."You've got a friend in me!" Oh before I get to the crux of my post, allow me to share some highlights of a Toy Story 3 birthday party my sons and I attended. MY coworker Rose planned the best party EVER for her kids:

Here's the birthday girl dressed as Jessie... TOOOO CUUUUUTE!!!!!!

...And the birthday boy dressed as Woody...ADORABLE!

Check out the party swag!!!

 

Several  months ago I attended a Weight Watchers meetings that tops my list of favorite meetings. The topic, Let's Buddy Up, focused on finding a weight loss buddy. In short, the leader expressed the importance of sharing your weight loss endeavor with a buddy going through the same life changing experience. 

Buddy benefits include:

• "friendly" competition between two buds helps to fuel workout motivation. When training for my first 5K I ran with my cousin one day, and the partnership helped to push me to run farther and faster.

• Buddies provide comfort & encouragement during times of despair, as well they help you celebrate your weight loss accomplishments.  

• According to Weight Watchers, members with support lead to greater weight loss success resulting in 3 times the weight loss than a member with no support. 

So, "Where do you go to find a weight loss buddy?"

Blogger

I immediately  thought about my Blogger buddies and how you encourage me through thick and thin (no pun intended). When I threaten to quit blogging or skip my Saturday weigh ins, your comments often talk me of the ledge, so to speak. And I thank you kindly for providing unconditional support.

Of course I piped up and told ALL WW meeting members about the fabulous support found in the blogosphere. Followers come and go, but a few of you remain loyal and return again and again to gratify my sometimes over weaning ego...don't judge.

Meetings 

Weight Watchers' meetings provide many opportunities to connect with a weight loss buddy.  Typically, I run in/out of meetings quickly and never make time to socialize. Surprisingly, a WW member, Jen (who by the way lost an amazing 100 lbs),  contacted me on Facebook (another great buddy source), and coincidentally she and I worked together back in the day (10+ years ago) at the YMCA. 

The best thing about a WW buddy, if either one of us misses a meeting, we can message each other with details of the week's meeting topic. 

Friends & Family

Another place to find a weight loss buddy...friends & family.  BUT BE CAREFUL with this option. Buddying up with friends and fam can be a catch 22. Sometimes jealously abounds when one person proves mores successful by losing more weight or losing faster than the other person. 

Despite the dark side of working together with friends or family, they can serve as a catalyst  to help keeping  the weight off by encouraging each other to stick to the plan.   Fellow bloggers and non-bloggers, I want to introduce you to some of my supportive friends & family buddies :

My biggest cheerleader...MY MOM! She helps by sometimes preparing my meals and helping out with healthy lifestyle change expenses (e.g. purchasing exercise equipment). 

God's Favorite Shoes, a fellow WW trooper...we attend different meetings but we cheer each other on (to the best of our ability).

The Kinder Team... especially Katie who made a waist line friendly cake for my birthday last year. And you too Brenda & Solmary for participating in the Weight Watchers 5K with me! Thanks ladies.

How bout a few other suggestions to find a weight loss buddy:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Gym
• Park or where ever you work out

Now that I gave you some ideas of where to find a buddy...so

...What do you look for in a buddy?

In my case, I need to connect with someone who can share my pain. My buddy needs to know what it feels like to hit rock bottom...crash & burn, only to rise from the ashes like the Phoenix. I need a buddy who relates to the day to day struggle of fighting the good fight.


More specifically, Weight Watchers offers a few  tips for creating a successful partnership.  On your buddy search look for a partner who:

• shares goals similar to yours (i.e. weight loss, fitness, etc.)
•  exercises at a similar intensity 
• provides support  and not jealously if they gain and you lose
• resides in close proximity. An online buddy works, but studies show a face to face partnerships prove more successful.

Unfortunately, some people embarking on this weight loss adventure lack the support from friends, family, and the online community. To that I say..."YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME!"

So, do you already buddy up? If not, I challenge you to find a suitable weight loss partner!