Establishing and maintaining new exercise habits can be a challenge, but the journey can be made a lot easier when you’re part of a team that’s working toward a mutual goal. So get your partner on board with your fitness goals, and get moving together!
Ongoing motivation
The biggest benefit of getting your partner involved in your exercise goals is the added motivation it can bring. Heading out for a jog or making your way to the gym might be easy for the first couple of days when it’s new and exciting, but as time goes by, you might find that motivation dwindles. When it does, having your partner talk you into taking a walk together or doing a few quick strength drills might be just what you need to get you back in the game.
A positive influence
When the person you spend most of your time with is more drawn to candy and late-night TV than a heaping bowl of fruit and walking through the park, it can be hard for you not to fall into the same patterns. Making exercise goals together might be just the kick you need to shake off those old habits and establish some healthy new ones. You’ll each have your ups and downs along the way, but having someone to support you can help get you back on track.
Consider taking on a new challenge together, such as a Tough Mudder >>
Opportunity to clear out the junk
A good fitness routine begins with a healthy diet. Whether you want to run a little faster or lift a heavier set of weights, you have to give your body the fuel it needs to do so. That can be hard to do if your partner keeps your home filled with bags of chips and pints of ice cream. By committing to exercise goals as a team, you can also commit to eating more healthily together. That means getting rid of all the junk and then stocking your fridge and pantry with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins. It’s also an opportunity to get a little experimental in the kitchen together by trying out new recipes you might never have considered before.
A boost in your competitive spirit
Comparing notes on who’s “doing better” isn’t healthy for your relationship or your fitness goals, but embracing your competitive spirit in a fun and playful way while you work out certainly can be. When two people work out together, they tend to push the pace or up the intensity because they want to “keep up” with the other person. And when you’re both trying to keep up with each other, you’ll push yourselves in new and exciting ways. So don’t be afraid to show off a little bit, and extend the challenge for your partner to do the same — who knows where it will take you?
Check out these benefits of working out you might not know about >>
Someone to share your successes with
Succeeding and finding joy in your achievements is always more fun with your partner than without. It gives you a chance to bond over how far you’ve come and to celebrate what you’ve attained each and every day. When you exercise together, you reap the rewards of health and happiness as a team, so get yourselves up and moving!
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Top tips for a great morning workout
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