I am a speaker on the areas of human potential, peak performance and personal development and I’m also an exercise physiologist. I have always advocated that you are a product of your environment.

An example of this can be seen in the military; people in the military hold themselves to the highest possible standard but when they leave they generally go back to mediocre lives. While they’re serving they will endure anything because they are around others with that same level of hardcore discipline.

What I am getting at is, no matter what environment you are consistently sujected to, it will gradually become part of who you are. If you don’t have the support of your peers then it’s unlikely that you will become outstanding while they remain mediocre, miserable or fat.

My advice is two-fold: surround yourself with a core group of friends that live by the standard you wish to hold yourself to and for those you do not want to “dump”, such as a well meaning family member with low standards for life, you need to become a leader and do so by example. Walk the walk, don’t just talk the talk. Soon others will want to have a piece of what you have, not because you nagged them to but because they have seen what it’s done for you.

If you want to lose weight or avoid obesity, then join a sports team, walking group, fitness centre, martial arts club etc. This will ensure a certain amount of your time is spent around fit and healthy people, or at least people who are aiming for this lifestyle.

Well that’s just my two cents on a topic I am very passionate about. Well done on a great post.

Chris Lyons.
http://www.endlesshumanpotential.com