“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending!—Carl Bard
January is now coming to a close, and for many of us those fitness goals and resolutions made only a few short weeks ago have already become a distant memory.
We may have had the best intentions to become fitter in 2015, but those resolutions are too often something we’d rather forget we made to begin with.
So we become discouraged and quit exercising due to lack of motivation or boredom.
So how do you stay motivated?
There are many reasons why people tend to give up so quickly in the pursuit of fitness but
stats have shown that individuals who work out with a partner have a higher probability of reaching their personal fitness goals.
Some of the many benefits of having a workout partner include accountability and encouragement.
Unless you happen to be a highly self-motivated, your chances of sticking to a long-term fitness plan without a partner are much lower.
Think about how working out with a friend or partner can make your workout time go by more quickly.
When you’re able to chat with a friend it makes the time fly by and make your exercise time more enjoyable.
Exercise should be fun, and the more fun your workouts are the more you’re going to look forward and be committed to them over the long-term.
Scheduling time together to work out also increases the chance that you will get your workouts done. It’s easy to opt out of a work out because of a busy day or make excuses, but having someone who is counting on you makes it like less likely that you will cancel.
In addition, having a positive partner to work out with can help you to succeed in supporting you and encouraging you in your commitment to achieve your fitness goals.
What should you look for in a good workout partner?
First, you need to have compatible schedules. If your schedules do not coincide it it’s not going to work, plain and simple.
Ideally, you and your workout partner should share similar goals and the same level of commitment to achieving those goals.
It’s important to have someone who you can count on, be on time and won’t cave in on days they don’t feel like exercising.
They also need to be able to call you on making excuses and know you will respect their time as well.
What if you don’t have a close friend or significant other to recruit? Consider hiring a personal trainer. Personal trainers can provide structure and accountability, keep you motivated and accountable.
