Monika: How important are role models for weight loss?
We met you through our SHEKO community on Facebook. In the group, you motivate others and share your successes – and they are simply fantastic. Let's start from the beginning: Where did your desire to lose weight come from?
"I have a very active job. I work in landscaping and gardening. Last year, I noticed how much harder everything was becoming. I got out of breath quickly, always needed a lot of time to recover after work, and felt that I used to be fitter. At the same time, my sister lost some weight. She then became my role model, so to speak."
So having role models is important to you?
"I think it's incredibly valuable to see how others are going their own way. It can be inspiring and motivating. Especially when you're also exchanging ideas. I find that really helpful."
Monika's feeling that exchanging experiences with others can help in pursuing one's own goals is not just her personal assessment, but is scientifically proven. A study published in the "Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology" found that people who lost weight together with friends had greater success and were subsequently better able to maintain their desired weight.
Weight management is easier in a group.
As we mentioned briefly earlier, you're also part of our Facebook community. What are your experiences in the group?
"The community was really crucial for me. I've tried to lose weight twice before – but I didn't have any support from others. When I decided to make a change again recently, I was initially unsure whether I could actually do it. But then I discovered the group and suddenly felt more motivated than ever before."
Our SHEKO community on Facebook is a group where over 8,500 members exchange ideas in a friendly and respectful manner. They share their successes, give valuable tips, motivate each other, and talk about their personal experiences. It's important to us that a genuine sense of community develops here. It's not about anyone being supposedly 'better' than others, but about celebrating our individual progress together.
You too can easily become a member here . Just send us a request and you'll soon be part of the community.
