Jon Stanton

One of my favorite songs when I was growing up was Michael W. Smith's "Friends." You've probably heard it at some point, even if you don't listen to Christian contemporary music regularly. "Friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them..." Ring a bell?

I am so blessed to have wonderful friends in my life. Some of these friends pray for me, some yell at me (when I need it), some console me, but all of them have helped me conquer my weight problem somehow in their own unique way.

My best friend lives in another state, and I know he not only prays for me, he's probably one of my biggest "fans" - rooting for me and telling me how great it is to see the changes I've made over the past year and a half. Recently, I've been dealing with some "issues" (or as another friend will know - "situations") and have relied on his advice, counseling and support even more than usual. He even texted me with a recently broken arm during a particularly difficult "session." Thanks, Luke - you are one in a million, and I don't know what I would do without your friendship.

When I first started losing weight, my friend Char helped me by being a walking partner. She would probably laugh and say that she needed it as much as I did, but not only is that not true, she wasn't at a place at that time of wanting to walk for any other reason than to help me. Char and I walked many miles all over this state - rain, sun, cold, blizzard - you name it, we were out there pounding the pavement. Thanks, Char - you helped keep me motivated in those early days, and I will be forever grateful.

Just tonight, my friend Claudia and I went for a walk on the rails-to-trails behind my house. Claudia, her husband Mark, and their daughter Emily are relatively new friends, although I've been an acquaintance for quite some time. We found a common love of cruising (the ocean, not women...) and have become very good friends ever since. Claudia is the type of friend who isn't afraid to tell you what you need to hear, but in a way that helps improve you, not devastate you. Not only is she fun, and almost always positive and upbeat, she truly cares about what I'm going through, and is a great listening ear. Additionally, Claudia and Emily are my "gym" buddies - we do aerobics together a few times each week and have a blast.

I could keep writing and come up with paragraph after paragraph about all the friends I'm blessed with, but at some point, you would probably say "ENOUGH ALREADY!" Here's my main point...friends are necessary to successful weight loss. Surround yourself with them. Find friends that will encourage you, support you, and not bring you down in your weight loss goals. Find a friend that will pray for your success. I often tell people when I speak that a significant part of my success is directly related to my faith, my family and friends. Tune in tomorrow (or the next time I have time to write) to hear about my family. In the mean time, go take a walk with your friends!