"Spotting the Warning Signs: The Top 5 Clear Red Flags of 'New Body Envy!'"

Your new look is garnering new attention, but at what cost?

Within the past 5 years of becoming certified in fitness, I have been a coach and a witness to my clients achieving greatness. I must have seen thousands of pounds shed, hundreds of inches lost, and helped the truly diligent discover their abs again. It's a great feeling to be able to set out for your goals and crush them. Unfortunately, not everyone cheering for you in your corner are actually looking forward to your success. In fact, they may have secretly been trying to sabotage your progress right under your nose.

At least 90% of the gym members you will see on average will encourage you to get fit, even if you've never been introduced. Most people in the gym are more focused on their next set, what music will help motivate them through the pain, and how good their pump looks. It's a very uplifting environment when compared to most other social venues. I can't remember the last time that I was encouraged at a lounge to be my best self, just saying.

These are not the people who you need to worry about. It's the people at home, at your job, and even your gym buddy that you signed up and started doing those Zumba classes with, that will be the ones to cheer for your downfall. The moment that they see the initial glow of someone who has taken the first major steps to their body recompositing is when the chips usually start to fall. Emotional health and mental stability fall within the realm of fitness, but if neglected can create the opposite effect for someone who is more focused on the results as opposed to the process. For someone who is looking to get the most results in the least time (and in most cases, also with the least work put in) possible, it can be offensive to them to see your progress develop beyond theirs, especially if they suffer from body dysmorphia, such as myself. Here is a short list of some of the clearest warning signs:

1) Jokes made fun at your expense for doing the right thing. It can really be a mind-bending experience the first time that you hear a comment made about your positive changes put in a negative light. This is added with a multiplier effect when it's made by someone that used to encourage you. It may feel like a light poke to humble you at first, but this type of behavior tends to grow with more malice over time. If you see it, do NOT ignore it.

2)Encouragement to cheat. In some time, you may hear some comments like, "you've done enough, what more do you need?" or " you can afford to have that extra 'insert indulgence here,' it's not gonna take away from what you got!" This is most recognizable depending on the source of the comments. If you have someone who isn't making supporting your new positive journey, or even worse, trying to stray you off your path, it's best to limit your interactions, at least in terms of fitness. You don't have to lose someone completely, but when the subject of health and fitness pops up, make your opinions and presence scarce.

3) Quietly distancing themselves. The upside of working out with a friend is that you will support each other's newfound journey. The downside is that if your friend loses motivation, you could end up working twice as hard to not only motivate yourself, but someone you care deeply for. This connection is something that a less motivated person will blatantly use to their advantage to throw you off course to keep the status quo. If you are clever and witty enough to clear that hurdle, then you might end up losing someone who was supposed to be your war buddy in the trenches. Do your best to not become a casualty yourself.

4) Spotlighting any of your shortcomings. If you are a "glass half full" personality, you may just rub it off as a little bit of shade meant to motivate you. But sometimes you may have to look a little deeper to see if it's meant to deflate your bubble. If you've lost 20lbs in four months, then keep your eyes on the first person that will shame you for that one moment you got caught on a late-night ice cream binge. When your small negatives begin to outshine the large positives, use that newfound stamina and run as far and fast as you can. They won't be able to catch up anyway.

5) Clinging to ideas of the "old" you. There will always be people that run from change. It's scary, unsure, and stressful. The true issue is that this goes for positive and negative change alike. You may begin to be resented by the friends that don't keep the same habits you've now embraced as the "new" you. Even an alcoholic leaves his closest friends after his 12 steps if he doesn't want to trigger his old habits. There's no difference in fitness. With this sort of change, the best course of action is to stay the course of action and do not look back.

The journey to a stronger, healthier, and better you will come with adversities to conquer. The physical strain of muscle building along with the mental sparring against your own mind will be a challenge that molds you from a thinker to a doer. Macros and proper rest are all contributing factors but your resilience to leave behind someone close is never easy. Just know that it is your journey and yours alone. And whoever is supposed to be on the winning side with you, will be.