Deep down we all want to be fit. I want my clients, family and friends to experience the joy of fitness. One important thing that can be very helpful in your effort to stay in shape is to surround yourself with other active people.

This is crucial, because research shows that obesity is “contagious” and that when we eat with other people, their food choices affect us — how much we eat, what we eat, and how we feel about it. We are always making decisions based on other people’s thoughts, actions and habits, which is why it’s so important to surround ourselves with people whose values and habits support our healthy lifestyle.

When our friends feel down, it’s hard not to feel the same way. If your family loves to eat, you may find it hard to say no to certain foods.

If your friends are constantly on and off the weight-loss rollercoaster, you may not have the support you need to exercise on a regular basis.

Habits are definitely contagious. Surrounding ourselves with active people who enjoy healthy foods and living healthy, makes us more likely to make the same healthy choices.

I feel incredibly blessed to have friends and clients who are into fitness and healthy eating.

I often call my girlfriends “ride-or-die chicks” because they join me in all my fitness craziness.

We go for beach and hill runs, workouts in town, even classes overseas.

Throughout the week we talk about our home-made lunch menus and give each other ideas for the following week.

Sometimes we even bring each other treats that we’ve made — a few weeks ago my friend brought me a spelt cookie. Healthy living is definitely a lifestyle for me. I tend to find and hang out with people who have the same interests in life that I do.

It’s not always possible to convert our friends into having healthy lifestyles, but we can all lead by example. As you begin living a healthier lifestyle, remember you owe yourself nothing but the best. Stay encouraged and B-Active For Life.

•Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than a decade of experience. Check her out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/B.ActiveForLife