It’s Better Together: 6 Things To Try This February With A Health Buddy

Did you know, a study looking at the spread of obesity in social networks showed that if you have a sibling or partner who becomes obese, your chances of also becoming obese increases by 40% and 37% respectively? This is most likely due to a change in what you view as normal when it comes to healthy behaviours. Alternatively, a study looking at ways to improve weight loss found that people who have a ‘buddy’ are more likely to achieve their health goals than those who do not. Here, the researchers found regardless if the buddy was a romantic partner or pal, both were equally effective in the participants’ health plight! 

As such, to help you pick up and maintain healthy behaviours in 2022, we’re challenging you to enlist the help of a buddy to do these 6 things during February (and hopefully for the rest of the year) to help you become your happiest and healthiest self.  

1. Prepare your meals at home and include more veg

Restaurants and takeaway meals are often larger and laden with calorie dense oil and butter. Therefore, cooking at home means you can control what’s going into your meal and the serving size you dish up. Even if your meal isn’t necessarily the healthiest, it’s likely better for you than its restaurant or takeaway equivalent! To maximise the benefits of cooking at home, set yourself the small goal of serving up some extra veg with each meal. Whether it’s salad, roast veggies or shredded veggies hidden in your meal, the extra fibre and nutrient boost will make you feel good from the inside out!

2. Fit 30 minutes (or more) of movement in everyday

The key to feeling great is getting some exercise in! This doesn’t have to look like an intense HIIT workout everyday, a walk around the park will suffice! Not only will you feel fitter, but regular exercise will also improve your mood from all those endorphins. Meeting a friend to exercise with will also hold you accountable, particularly if you have planned to meet at a particular time. 

3. Drink 3L of water everyday

Ok, we know this one is kind of boring. But seriously, our bodies are 60% water and we are continuously losing it throughout the day from breathing (our exhales are around 6% water vapour), sweating and going to the toilet. Being hydrated allows our brains to function optimally and our skin to glow (plus plenty of other health benefits)!

4. Check in with each other everyday

Known for hitting snooze and skipping that morning workout? Or, maybe you’re constantly tempted to order takeaway? Whether you’re working out and cooking together, or simply just checking in with a text each day, knowing that you have someone to report to can be seriously motivating to keep you on track!

5. Try a sport or exercise out of your comfort zone

Now that you have a health buddy, this is the perfect opportunity to encourage and motivate each other to try a sport or workout you may have never tried alone! Other than improving your strength and fitness, trying a new sport is a great way to meet more like-minded people and build your confidence!

6. Go for a walk with your buddy once a week

Not only will this help you with point 2, going for a walk with your buddy is a great opportunity to socialise – important for health and happiness! In fact, socialising reduces feelings of loneliness while increasing our sense of happiness and wellbeing. Additionally, it improves our memory and cognitive performance, and may even help us live longer!