It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right
You crawl into bed and set your alarm for 5am.
“I am committing to 6am bootcamp and getting my day started on the right foot!”
You drift off to sleep with determination on the brain, anticipating a great morning workout. However, 5am rolls around and suddenly that determination is nowhere to be found. In place of the lost determination is a mound of excuses:
My bed is too comfy.
I’m nice and warm.
I need more sleep.
I’ll exercise after work.
No one will notice I’m not there.
But what if someone did notice?
Having an accountability partner can be the difference between making excuses and getting your sweat on. Below are some great reasons why you should consider getting a partner-in-crime for the gym.
You have a cheerleader. The right accountability partner will encourage you, pray for you, and push you past the limits you set for yourself. Just when you think you’ve got nothing left to give, your partner is there to remind you there’s a little bit left in the tank.
One is the loneliest number. No one likes to be stood up, so when your accountability partner commits to meeting you at the gym at 6 p.m., you better be there. It’s just plain common courtesy and respect.
The struggle is real. Who will understand you and the struggles you’re having in (and out) of the gym more than the person working right alongside you during a workout? Misery may love company, but no one can build you back up more than the partner who “gets it.”
Sharing is caring. Opening up about your goals with your partner will help to keep you accountable on a few levels. Sincere trust between one another can develop by being vulnerable and sharing your goals. In turn, your desire to work harder strengthens simply because you don’t want to let your partner down.
Have a little fun. Working out solo can be satisfying, but sometimes having another person battling it out with you can make exercising more fun. Add in a little friendly competition, and you might even see results a little faster!
Choose wisely when deciding who you’d like to hold you accountable in the gym. Stay away from someone who will negatively enable you (“Let’s grab some ice cream after our workout!”). Pick who you know you can depend on when the road gets a little bumpy, and you better believe it will get bumpy.
And don’t forget: your partner will expect all the above from you, so be ready to give and take!
