Rely on Yourself--Not on Your Workout Buddy

When you're working toward a long-range fitness goal, it helps to have someone with similar goals in mind who's following the road with you, i.e., a workout buddy. This person goes with you on runs or walks, carpools to the gym, shares healthful recipes, etc. This can be very helpful and motivating, helping you stay on track. But I caution you not to depend on this person too much in order to achieve your goals, and vice versa.

Why? What happens when one or the other of you can't go for a run, can't make it to the gym, gets sick or simply gives up? Are you going to leave it up to your buddy to decide if you get to exercise on any particular day? I don't think so!

Even though having a buddy can strengthen your resolve, don't use him or her as a crutch. Have a backup plan for when they can't join you: either go by yourself, go to the gym or do a tape at home. Going to Plan B should be as automatic as flipping a switch--and you should do it before you lose your motivation for the day. Incidentally, Plan B is also good if your exercise schedule should get messed up, the weather turns bad or you're just not feeling up to whatever you had planned. Instead of doing nothing--and getting no closer to your fitness goals--modify your plans. Do 30 minutes of exercise instead of 60, try a lower-level exercise tape or reduce your exertion level to match how you feel. At least you will have done something productive that will help you feel better.

So embrace that exercise buddy, but don't get too attached that you're lost without her. You're learning a valuable lesson about self-reliance that applies to the rest of your life, as well.