How do your friends impact your wellness journey?

[Rodale Wellness] wellness in action “You are never strong enough that you don't need help.” —César Chávez [Rodale] Dear Wellness Seeker, For some of us, losing weight is a big priority; but for others, it's an excellent side benefit of just becoming healthier versions of ourselves. As we move forward with Rodale Wellness, you'll hear more of our team's weight loss stories, and we will share your inspiring stories, too! Regardless of whether your path involves weight loss, you never know how thinking about someone else's challenges could motivate you to make a change on your journey — and that includes your family and friends. In fact, your friends and family are critical elements of your wellness journey. What kinds of words would your social circle use to describe you at your healthiest, happiest best? "Glowing," "joyful," maybe "energized"? Which friends and family members are your biggest supporters? Do any derail you from your journey? Do any need your help to get started down their own path to living a fuller, healthier life? Today, we share how you can be a positive influence on your social circle's wellness and, by extension, your own. [Join us on Facebook] and tell us what tactics have worked for you! [Rodale] The “Nudge Factor”: How to Be Persistent, Not Pushy By Walter Willet, MD, DrPH, and Malissa Wood, MD, authors of [Thinfluence: The Powerful and Surprising Effect Friends, Family, Work, and Environment Have on Weight] The nudge factor is a major consideration when dealing with friends and other valued relationships. After all, the line between encouragement and alienation can sometimes be thin. Below are a few tips that may help you approach your friends with suggestions for how to incorporate healthy habits into their regular routines, without seeming too pushy. 1. Lead by example. So often we hear the phrase "Actions speak louder than words." Be patient and focus on yourself and your own actions first. As you become more mindful of how you adjust to take on the unhealthy norms within your social group, you will begin to learn how to avoid them and improve your own habits. Once your friends see the results of your lifestyle changes, they'll be asking you for advice! 2. Savor food with gratitude. If you can do just one small thing to start, it can provide the momentum you need to get on a healthier lifestyle path. The same principle applies to those in your social circle. Don't try to encourage someone close to you to completely overhaul their life; they'll be less likely to adopt these changes, and the chances that they will misinterpret your actions as judgmental are high. Instead, try starting small. Introduce a minor change to your usual routine — for example, meeting at a new deli instead of the cupcake shop where you always meet. If she asks, tell your friend that you made the change to satisfy your own curiosity or that you had heard good things about the place. If you frame your healthy choices as things you are doing for yourself rather than as suggestions or direct advice, you will be offering your friend the chance to take her own initiative. 3. Push less, praise more. If you get a friend or two to do something healthy for themselves, be ready to encourage them. Whenever you can, point out the progress they have made. Focusing on what they are doing right, rather than what they still need to improve, puts a positive spin on your influence, which is likely to give them incentive to keep on the right track. Remember, you can always e-mail us at [wellness@rodale.com] to tell us what we can do to help you, or come [join our Facebook group] to talk to other wellness seekers just like you. Yours in your wellness journey, Gail Gonzales [Rodale] Recommended for You: Tone It Up Are you ready to sweat, tone, nourish, and empower your way to your fittest, fiercest, most fabulous body and life? Katrina Scott and Karena Dawn, the founders of the Tone It Up fitness and health brand, have taken the world by storm with their fun, energetic, girlfriend-to-girlfriend approach to getting in shape. To them, being fit isn’t just about looking smokin’ hot in a bikini but a whole-body, whole-life way of being that starts with respecting your body and taking care of your beautiful, amazing self, inside and out. With their 28-day program that incorporates brand-new fitness routines, delicious recipes, and mental and spiritual practices, you’ll transform your body, your attitude, and your life to bring out the gorgeous goddess within you! In just 28 days, Katrina and Karena will help you get: FIT. With daily fitness challenges, workout plans, healthy-eating tips, and delicious recipes, you’ll be on your way to the strong, sexy body you’re after. FIERCE. You’ll align your mind and body through visualization exercises, daily meditations, confidence-boosting tips, and dares to move outside your comfort zone. FABULOUS. This is the fun stuff: beauty, friendship, inspiration, joy, and all the things to give you that unmistakable glow so you radiate from the inside out! Tone It Up is a registered trademark of Tone It Up LLC. [Order Now] [Tone It Up] Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? Don’t miss a single newsletter by signing up at [RodaleWellness.com/Join]. It is a state of mind. A way of life. [Unsubscribe] [Manage Your Email Preferences] [Privacy Policy] Customer Service Dept., 400 South 10th Street, Emmaus, PA 18098 © 2017 Rodale Inc., all rights reserved 10788