Have you tried many times to get fit but soon lost enthusiasm for your fitness class? Are you always looking for excuses to avoid going to the gym? Your mistake may be to have tried going it alone; it's so easy to convince yourself not to go to the gym. However, if you find yourself a fitness buddy you'll have someone to encourage you. These are some of the ways a workout buddy can help you get fit - and stay fit …
Your workout buddy will do wonders to help keep you motivated. They can be your fitness cheerleader who will give you a boost when you're doing well, and encourage you when your enthusiasm is flagging. Of course, you can do the same in return. Both of you will encourage each other through the times when you're tempted to give up or let your fitness efforts slide.
If you work out by yourself, it's all too easy to talk yourself out of going to the gym or for a run. However, when you've made arrangements to meet up with your fitness buddy, you're far less likely to want to let them down. Your buddy will encourage you to get off the couch and go for a run instead.
If you lose interest in working out because you get bored, buddying up can make all the difference. You'll enjoy your workouts much more if you have company; this is why many people prefer classes to working out at the gym. Your friend will help make the workouts fun and keep your enthusiasm going.
Imagine doing a marathon; you wouldn't be very motivated if you were running on your own. Where's your incentive to do better if you've got no-one to beat? But if you're trying to beat other competitors, you've got reason to push yourself that little bit more. While your workouts won't be that intense, some friendly competition helps spur you on.
As I've already mentioned, you're more likely to stick to arrangements you've made with someone else, whereas if you're doing something alone you may find excuses not to go. Besides, knowing that someone else is involved with and monitoring your fitness regime gives you motivation to continue.
Everyone comes to a point when their fitness regime doesn't seem to be having any effect or their weight loss has stalled. Your fitness buddy will be invaluable when you hit this point; they won't allow you to be discouraged. They'll encourage you to keep working on your goals, and cheer you on when you're doing well.
Many women feel self-conscious at the thought of going to the gym on their own. They feel as though everyone will be looking at their not-very-gym-ready body and criticising it. If you go with a buddy, you'll be paying more attention to them and not worrying about other people. It's also often safer to run in company.
So find yourself a fitness buddy and work towards your fitness goals together. Put the fun in fitness!