The Power of Two

By Kelly McElrea –

Recently, I had lunch with an old friend who also happens to work as a personal trainer. She was my first fitness trainer in Toronto and she helped me achieve great results. As we caught up, I found it so motivating to speak to someone who has such positive energy and who is so passionate about health and wellness.

Looking in her fridge was so impressive, it was packed full of veggies, fruits, egg whites and whole grains. It was naturally very low glycemic and designed for healthy living. As we talked about her diet she suggested that I start training with her again and enter a fitness bikini competition she was planning on entering.

I remember thinking if she had asked me to do this 2 years ago when I had 6 pack abs I would have jumped at the offer! While I still consider myself healthy today, I knew that I was not in the shape I once was and somehow the competition seemed so much more daunting than it would have once been. While it was not something I felt I could do at that time, I thought about how amazing it is to surround yourself with people who enjoy a healthy lifestyle and who can motivate you to do the same.

I walked away from our lunch feeling motivated to once again take my health to the next level, strive to eat even cleaner, and to increase my work out schedule. Thinking about the competition, I knew with her guidance and clean eating that anything is possible.

In the next few days after our meeting, I wondered about the keys to a successful wellness program. As I looked at my background, I realized no matter what my health goal was I always had the best results when I partnered with a buddy.

There is something about having a friend doing something at the same time as you that is very motivating. You do not have to live in the same home, you just have encourage each other, share tips and yes, sometimes gripe about the things you are finding challenging.

Most importantly you have someone you are accountable to on your journey. This is why programs like Weight Watchers work, you have support and accountability. In my early 30’s when I found myself 40 lbs over weight, I started on my health journey and I did it with my mother. Had it not been for her I could have found myself 80-100 lbs overweight today. Instead, I got her involved in the process and she lost 20 lbs, I lost 40 lbs and have kept it off.

What was our secret? Following a simple system:

• eating well
• exercising often
• being accountable to each other

I feel the power of my success went one step further, I not only shared the journey with my mother, I shared it with my friends and with my co-workers. To my surprise as I spoke about my wellness journey many others spoke up to tell me that they had once lost 20, 40, 80+ lbs. The support I received was phenomenal but most of all it was motivating and made me believe, if they can do it, I can do it too!

Guess what? I did!

The changes that came with my weight loss were incredible. I not only lost weight but my confidence grew along with an amazing support system. I found myself exercising harder than I ever had in my life. I joined a gym and got a personal trainer. Once again, the power of two!

She helped me take my new look and take it to a whole new fitness level. Due to my new discovered confidence in my athletic ability, I found a Running Room and started to train for marathons. Never in my life did I think I would run a marathon. I not only ran one marathon, I ran several, but do you want to know why? Because I had a support system cheering me on and I had others running with me encouraging me every step of the way.

My tip for today is no matter what your health plan is, find a friend to go on the path with you. Perhaps you are struggling to lose that 5, 10, or maybe even 30 pounds plus. Maybe you hate to exercise alone but have a ton of fun doing it with a friend. Perhaps you just want to eat clean and need someone to share tips and recipes. Whatever your wellness goal is grow your support system. Find someone who wants to make the same lifestyle changes as you and work together!

You will be amazed by the results you can achieve together. If you want to take the power of two a step further, tell your family about what you are doing, and get them on board and excited about the changes you want to make. This will not only be a great gift for you, it could be a great gift for others in your life who want to make changes but do not know how or do not want to go it alone. One thing I’m sure of is, with support you increase your chances for success!

As you embark on your wellness journey remember the Power of Two, find a friend and have fun with your new healthy lifestyle…together!

Kelly McElrea is a passionate Wellness Educator and Business coach with a zeal for helping people to reach the health and wealth they aspire to achieve. She specializes in health at the cellular level and has a proven system to help people boost their energy, cut cravings and look and feel amazing! Website: http://www.kellymcelrea.usana.com/.