I know we’ve all heard the phrase “you are what you eat”, the same holds true for the people you surround yourself with.

The more time you spend with someone, the more you become like them. It makes sense, right? I mean think about your group of friends, the people you spend the most time with.

Do you find yourself saying similar phrases…even when you’re not around them? Or maybe you tell similar jokes or watch the same type of movies.

Think about it…

If you read my blog last week, then you know my word for this new year is Discipline-and I’m using that word to help me achieve my goals for the year.

Believe it or not, just because I chose discipline as my word-did not mean I was all of a sudden disciplined.

I actually have to train myself. I’m actually going to have days where I fail, and I’m going to have days where I feel like I’m Rafiki lifting baby Simba up on Pride Rock.

And already this week, I definitely struggled lifting Simba up.

Making lifestyle changes are HARD. And this week we not only have Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras, but we also have Valentine’s Day- the holiday known for chocolate boxes and wine.

(Both of which are things that are not allowed on my current nutritional plan.

And both of which, are also things that I definitely love and am currently missing)

I’m sure you’re wondering, how do I do it?

For me, it is essential that I have accountability and proper coaching. I know that if I do not have someone who is checking up on me when I miss a gym session, or assisting in my macros and meal planning for the week-that I would give up. I would fail.

I need that accountability, that community.

I find that surrounding myself with a group of people who have similar goals and values to my own-I work harder to stick to my goals. I’m encouraged, motivated, and I also have a group of people to lean on when I fail.

For me that is EVERYTHING.

I truly believe that it’s important to surround yourself with people in all areas of your life-who do sign with your values, maybe they have similar goals-or at least in some way they support your goals and give you that encouragement.

Even God calls for us to come together as a community: He wants us to worship together, study His word together, learn from one another and to love each other as He loves us. As a Christian community we encourage one another, we hold each other accountable, we pray together and carry each others burdens. No one is alone.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near

Hebrews 10:24-25

I know for me, when I am not at church or surrounding myself with the Christian community-I do feel alone. I struggle. I feel like I’m missing a part of my life. That’s why for me it is so important that I surround myself with those who do love the Lord and study his Word.

I don’t believe that God made humans to struggle through life on our own. We are each gifted with different strengths, which when brought together in a community can be built up and used for so much good. When people come together, when we lend a hand, and encourage others up-we are stronger.

At my gym we have two sayings that we learned at boot camp that I see being lived out every day:

When you win, I win

Stronger together

The community at my gym truly lives these things out, and because of that-everyday we are growing stronger. Everyday we have a win. And even when it’s hard, we push each other through and encourage everyone to finish.

Be it at my gym, church, workplace, or even social hour- I really think about the people I surround myself with. I think about the community I put myself in based on my beliefs, my goals, and how I choose to spend my time.

I want you to think about the community of people you have. Do you have one? What kind of community is it? Is it one that’s encouraging you to reach your goals? Is your community aligned with your values? Are they holding you accountable?

Just think about it. Only you can make the change.