Who you eat with can affect how much you eat. Cornell University Food and Brand Lab recently confirmed the theory that people are less likely to stick to their diet and more likely to overeat when dining with someone who is overweight, regardless of how much or how healthfully the overweight individual is eating.

This is true - when I sit down with myself I always overeat but when I sit down with a skinny person I am always feeling anxious about them watching me eat. This kind of influence works both ways though - I currently work with Cassandra who is a bad ass Jiujitsu Blue Belt competing in ADCC in Singapore next month and we will be following how she prepares for her competition and what it really takes to change your state of mind whether you are a new gym starter, a serious competitor like Cassandra or a pizza lover like me - how do we control what we do to become the best version of ourselves we can be.

Cassandra and Tea Bird Tea are going to explore what makes her stick to her routine and what might inspire you to start sticking to yours! Can hanging out with someone as focused as Cassandra really turn your life around? Well admittedly I have stopped drinking alcohol, started working out again and she purposely doesn't buy me sweets when I ask her too - and I have lost some kilos - hmmmm maybe there is something in the idea that spending more time with more positive people causes you to follow a happier and healthier life!

Studies have also shown that we are more likely to overeat when our companion is overeating, even if that person is not overweight. Cornell found that people take the most of the food that is placed at the beginning of the buffet, so you can make better choices by taking a full tour of the line before serving yourself and noting where the healthiest options are. Want to learn how to stop overeating around family and friends? Try these nutritionists’ tips. (NPR)