You eat right and exercise. You get your flu shot. You even drink cod liver oil because it is the world’s best source of omega-3 fatty acids AND vitamin D, all together in one foul cocktail that you burp until lunch. Preventative care is your middle name. But there is one healthy living tip that you may not have heard. A tip so powerful that the evidence supporting it is even more compelling than than that of cigarettes causing cancer or obesity causing heart disease, according to Drs. Willcox, Willcox and Suzuki, authors of the famous longevity study The Okinawa Program.
It turns out that the number one factor under your control in regards to how long you live (and probably how worth living that long life will be) is: a positive social community. All this time you thought you were just loving your friends and family because they’re great people but it turns out that love fest is doing you a lot of good as well.
Recently I was asked by the delightfully accented Jamillah Knowles of the BBC (you like how I just drop that into conversation? I WAS ON THE BBC!! I might have business cards printed up saying “Charlotte, proprietress of The Great Fitness Experiment, BBC interviewee.” I’d put it on my resume if I still had one.) about my best tip for keeping your healthy living resolutions. My answer? The Gym Buddies. Listen to the whole podcast (of me sounding hilariously awkward and repeating the word “absolutely” way too many times) to learn more about fitness community building!
Not only are my peeps good for making me run faster sprints and lift heavier weight and sweat a bigger, nastier puddle in Turbokick but they have also been known to circle the wagons when I have a wardrobe malfunction and laugh with me when I might prefer to be crying. The healthful benefits of having a close circle of loved ones extends far beyond the gym though. Research has shown that people who have at least 6 close social connections but poor eating health habits live longer than those who eat clean and exercise but have 3 or fewer relationships. Of course those who live the longest have both healthy habits and a strong social network.
Friends have been getting some bad press lately (remember the whole “your friends make you fat” furor??) but they might just be the best thing that’s happened to you. So, in an effort to expand my circle of beloveds, I have finally (been assimilated by the borg) and joined Twitter. Wanna follow me? (Did that feel any less pathetic reading it than when I wrote it?) Or just curious to see if I can limit myself to a measly 140 characters? Click on the “follow me” birdie at the top of the page! (I will be moving it to a less obnoxious place on the sidebar in a week or two.)
How have your friends influenced your healthy lifestyle? Do you know any centenarians?? And if you tweet, what’s your username so I can follow you too? (Again, with the creepy!)
I just joined Twitter recently and still haven't quite figured out what it's for. User name: CrabbyMcSlacker. Great to see you'll be on there too!
And that's an interesting study about community and longevity. Perhaps I should be a lot less Crabby and cultivate more friends!
Oh and congrats on the BBC interview, that is AWESOME!
Congratulations on being on BBC! That's a huge huge honour. REALLY exciting. I love the BBC.
Yay will absolutely be following you on Twitter 🙂
I'm all about the positive community (hello, happy healthy blogosphere!); I made a promise to myself sometime last year that I was going to cut out the people in my life that impacted me negatively and include more positive people that I get something from and who get something from me. I think that everyone is much better for it. There's all kinds of give and take and positive encouragement and support on everyone's part.
Heh. I was interviewed by the BBC a million and a half years ago (back when "blogging" was knowing as "online journaling") and I put up a copy of the broadcast because I was so excited!
My twitter name is @dianepatterson. I only sometimes blog about exercise — mostly about how totally wonderful I feel once I've conquered by natural sloth and actually done my workout.
Augh. "Back when "blogging" was KNOWN as "online journaling…" I know how to write, I really do.
Congrats on being on the BBC!!
My friends absolutely affect my fitness activity and level. I would say that they were far more into fitness before I was … but would always talk about how a good run was soothing to the soul. Eventually I got into the habit of running as well and absolutely identify with the calming effect it has. We motivate each other now and make sure we each get our daily or near daily exercize. It seems like your Gym Buddies have the same motivational powers! By the way, I LOVE your blog!
This is true, which is why I spent the time to eliminate the negative doorknobs in my life and now am surrounded by drive, motivated and pretty damn chill individuals.
The difference has been massive.
ok SERIOUSLY? PRINT THOSE CARDS.
I totally would.
xo xo,
Ima Child, who loves the twitter now but took her…a year to discover and uncover the aforementioned loveage.
When you get those cards printed, can I get one? That would be awesome. Maybe someday I'll be able to add something like that to mine. Right now it reads: "Financial Coordinator (pining to be a published author)"
Congrats again on the BBC thing. Jealous!
That's a great study and information! I have a retired Air Force colonel friend! He and his wife are in their 90's! Wonderful, positive, social, active, intelligent couple. They have had a lifetime of triumph and tragedy, but they have maintained a positive attitude with all of it!
You know, I read a study several months ago that found senior citizens with a good group of friends were healthier and less likely to die than their lonely peers. I think there's a lot to be said for having a support net of friends.
Also: congrats on the BBC interview. So cool.
I'm notsuperhuman on Twitter. I'm already following you!
You totally need those cards 🙂
I totallya gree. Positive friends who really care for you make a world of difference in dealing with everything, including your health. I've been overwhelmed with the kindness of friends and family lately. For me, they remind me you're worth it and make you want to be a better person.
congrats on the bbc! that's really exciting 🙂
and i'd totally buy into the community and longevity relationship. even if it doesn't help me live longer i think my strong positive relationships will make life more enjoyable. always a good thing 🙂
Great that BBC listeners get to hear your humor and take on the world.
Hope I can download that podcast to my iTouch and make you my own "gym buddy" today while I work out.
I've been on Twitter for years (3) and seen it move through so many changes. Have a question? @me
(@debroby).
I just listened to a TED talk that shared the same conclusion re: good social networks. I've been looking for one since I graduated college almost 8 years ago. I don't wanna die young just because I can't find friends!
I just listened to a TED talk that shared the same conclusion re: good social networks. I've been looking for one since I graduated college almost 8 years ago. I don't wanna die young just because I can't find friends!
I just listened to a TED talk that shared the same conclusion re: good social networks. I've been looking for one since I graduated college almost 8 years ago. I don't wanna die young just because I can't find friends!
CONGRATULATIONS on the BBC!! I'm officially impressed! (I was impressed before, but only unofficially. ;D)
I'm on Twitter. But I never log in. I think my twitter name is Marste. But it's been so long, I'm honestly not sure. *wrinkles nose* If I can figure out what my d*mn name was, I'll follow you.
Congrats on the BBC! How cool!
This is a great study & I have read more about this too. So interesting!
I have not succumbed to Twitter. I already don't get anything done with just the blog stuff I am doing! Let me know how it impacts your time…. I don't have a iphone or blackberry either so not sure how that effects it either. I am so out of it! 🙂
Having friends who eat healthy and workout regularly definitely make it easier to live a healthy lifestyle. They understand the challenge of fitting in workouts with a busy life. When you have friends who aren't health conscious, it's frustrating when they make comments when you order a salad/healthy dish when you go out to eat or how you're "always working out." Even though they're little comments, it can make you feel alienated. It's so much easier having friends who are supportive.
Congrats on BBC! That's so exciting!!
i completely agree—fitness peeps made all the difference in the world to me. (currently seeking peeps. Anyone, anyone?)
and huge congrats on the BBC interview!
and yes, I'm following/stalking you on twitter. I am an addict, but then again, I have no peeps in real life. 🙂
and where do you find these pics/ graphics? I love them!
(and you)
and there are way too many "ands" in my comment!
Yay about the BBC interview, from a long-time UK lurker! Very exciting!!! And not a trace of awkwardness that I could detect. Just maybe a couple of noises-off from your kids?! 🙂
Reading this post late. Loving your tweets. Found my new fave blog through a re-tweet from you called @tremendousnews. Crack UP!
Love the wedgie analogy! 🙂 hee hee
PS would you email me the link to your podcast? I was being lame and couldn't find it!