A Little Help from Your Friends
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-03-21 16:53:45.453762-05:00
Do you like to do things with other people? Or maybe you enjoy doing activities by yourself, like exercising. Either way, involving others by making them aware of your healthy goals and habits can help you be successful in reaching your health and fitness goals. Whether it's starting a new exercise program or making changes in your diet to support weight loss, getting a little help from your friends will only help your process.
If You Build it…
A support network—friends, family or exercise instructors—can help you stay motivated and stick to your fitness program. For example, a supportive family member may pitch in or take over some tasks of yours so you have time to be active. Or friends may ask how you're doing, praise your efforts, or give you that nudge you need so you don't skip your 30-minute walk.
You can build a support group simply by talking to people in your life and asking for their support. Make sure they know about your physical activity program so they can encourage, motivate and be involved with you. Who knows – you may even inspire them to get active as well!
Take a minute to consider how you can build your support structure:
- Find a colleague who will give you reminders when you need them; for example, just having someone to ask if you're taking a walk can help you stick with it!
- Seek a positive friend who can give you a little encouragement when you need it.
- Ask a family member to join you for a walk before or after your meal.
- Get a health and fitness tip from your fitness instructor. Just ask!
Activity Partners
AARP's walking programs have shown that if you grab a buddy to walk with, you are more likely to stick with your program. Being active with a partner or a small group of people can help you stay motivated and make your workout more fun! Maybe you already have some buddies to exercise with in your support circle, but there is always room for more. Finding someone with similar fitness interests and goals to work out with can be simple.
Use these tips to find some health and fitness buddies:
- Speak up. Talk to people you know. Ask what they do to stay active. Explain what you do or what you would like to do. Talk to friends, family, co-workers, people in your community. Don't be surprised when you find people who are interested in walking or exercising with you.
- Check online. There are lots of websites for active-minded people. For example, you can search for exercise partners online at Craigslist. Just select your city; then under the Community section, select "Activities."
- Choose carefully. Find someone on whom you can rely – someone whose company you enjoy and who shares similar fitness levels and goals.
- Consider joining a walking group, bowling league, fitness or dance class. This is an instant way to find people with mutual interests who can join you and help you commit to an activity plan.
Make Your Buddy System Work
Once you have one or more activity partners, use this checklist:
- Plan ahead. Choose the time and location of your workout and schedule it.
- Hold each other accountable. Commit to each other to show up and stick to your activity plan.
- Have fun and keep it fresh. To avoid boredom and continue challenging yourself, try changing your path, lengthening your workout, or building the intensity. Choose a new activity or combine a few. Invite another "guest" buddy.
So buddy up and don't be shy! Let people know about your physical activity routine and goals so they can support you and maybe even join you.
AARP Resources
Starting a Walking Group
Walking in a group can motivate you into physical fitness. AARP gives you tips on how to find a walking group and how to start one.
Make Walking a Way of Life
Walking is something that most people can fit into their routine almost daily.
Sticking with a Fitness Plan
Starting a fitness program is not always the hardest part. Sometimes sticking to the program that you started is the hardest.
Books
Find these books online at Borders.com.
Fitness After 50
Walter H. Ettinger, Steven N. Blair, Brenda S. Wright, Human Kinetics Publishers, April 2006
Walking Magazine The Complete Guide To Walking: for Health, Fitness, and Weight Loss
Mark Fenton, The Lyons Press, March 2001
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