The Power of Community in Fat Loss and Confidence Building for Women
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The Power of Community in Fat Loss, Fitness and Confidence Building for Women
As a personal trainer, I have seen first-hand the power of community in helping women achieve their fat loss and confidence goals. It is not just about the workouts or nutrition plans - having a supportive group of like-minded individuals can be the missing piece in the jigsaw.
The Role of Community in Fat Loss and Confidence Building
Fatloss and confidence building are not just physical endeavours, they are emotional and mental as well. Women over 35 face unique challenges in their journey to a healthier lifestyle - from hormone changes, to the growing demands of a career, their kids, and the reality of aging parents. It is the perfect storm that can throw your health and fitness journey off course. Having a community of like-minded women who understand your struggles and can offer support and encouragement can make all the difference.
Studies have shown that social support is a key factor in weight loss and weight maintenance. In a study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, researchers found that women who participated in a weight loss program with a supportive group lost more weight and maintained their weight loss better than those who did not have social support. Another study found that social support was a predictor of success in weight loss programs for women.
Community support is not just beneficial for weight loss, it is also crucial for building confidence that we can achieve our goals. When we surround ourselves with positive, supportive people, we are more likely to believe in ourselves and our abilities. This can lead to increased self-esteem and confidence, which can translate into all areas of our lives.
5 ways to max out community benefits for your health and fitness
1. Find like-minded individuals: The first step in building a strong community is finding like-minded individuals who share your goals and values and who are on a similar journey.
2. Be vulnerable: Building strong connections requires vulnerability. Sharing struggles and challenges with a community, and being open to receiving support and encouragement is game-changing. When you are willing to be vulnerable, others will be more likely to be open and share their own experiences.
3. Celebrate successes: Celebrating successes, no matter how small, is important when you are on a solo fitness journey. But when you are part of a group and able to celebrate your own and the achievements of others it creates a brilliantly positive virtuous cycle and reinforces the idea that success is possible.
4. Hold each other accountable: Accountability is crucial in achieving fat loss, fitness and confidence goals. Being part of a community helps keep you on track and motivated by checking in with each other regularly and offering support and encouragement.
5. Being supportive to others makes you kinder to yourself: when we lift others up by offering words of encouragement, sharing experiences, and being a positive force we are also lifting ourselves up. This positive talk for others seeps into our own psyche as well.
PlayGround - fitness bootcamps and community support for Brighton women
These are the very reasons I have created PlayGround - an in-person bootcamp and supportive community designed specifically for women over 35.
It is so much more than just a fitness and nutrition coaching program - it is a community of like-minded women who are committed to achieving their fat loss, fitness and confidence goals.
PlayGround challenges women of all fitness levels, while the supportive community provides the encouragement and accountability needed to achieve results. Our members connect in person, online andthrough through social events, offering support, encouragement, and accountability.
In addition to our in-person workouts and supportive community, we also offer nutrition coaching and guidance to help our members achieve their fat loss goals.
I believe that fitness should be a fun and supportive experience, and I’d love you to join our community and start your journey to a healthier, more confident you.
Go on - unleash your inner twenty-something!
You can find out more and book into PlayGround here.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology: examined the effects of group-based weight loss treatment versus individual-based treatment on long-term weight loss maintenance in overweight and obese adults. The study found that group-based treatment resulted in significantly greater weight loss maintenance than individual-based treatment.
Journal of Health and SocialBehavior: examined the role of social networks in weight loss andw eight maintenance among women. The study found that women who were more socially connected were more successful in losing weight and maintaining their weight loss.
American Psychological Association: social support is a key factor in successful weight loss and maintenance. Specifically, the survey found that people who have a support system are more likely to adopt healthy habits and maintain them over time.
About Katy Harkness
Katy founded PLAY Fitness & Coaching after she made changes in her life, which saw her lose over 20kg and become the fittest she has ever been.
As Katy became more interested in health and fitness, the algorithms shared more and more misinformation.
Becoming frustrated with unrealistic goals and standards being set, that are often not healthy, Katy left the advertising industry where she had a successful 20+ year career, to help create the change she wanted to see in the health and fitness industry and to support people to make the sustainable, long term changes they wanted to see in their own lives.
