One of the hardest things about keeping up with an exercise routine is staying motivated. You’re eager to get started in the beginning, but after the first few weeks, you start letting yourself slip. You tell yourself that it’s not a big deal if you skip one session because you’re tired and have to get up early the next morning. One skipped session becomes another, and another, and pretty soon you’re canceling your gym membership and giving up on getting back into shape altogether.
To stay motivated, you might need to form a team of accountability partners. An accountability partner can be a friend, family member or someone from your local gym who helps you stay focused and doesn’t let you skip a workout without a good reason. If you’re relying solely on yourself, it’s easy to let yourself down and deal with the consequences later. But if you’re working with a team of accountability partners, you’ll find it easier to stay on track and meet up for your weekly workouts without missing a beat.
Where Can You Find Accountability Partners?
Chances are, you’re not the only person in your friend group who’s trying to get in shape. Make a post on Facebook and see if anyone wants to join you in your quest for self-improvement. You might hear from some friends who have also thought about hitting the gym and want a workout buddy. Other friends might already have a workout regimen and would be happy to invite you along.
While you’re on social media, see if you can find any fitness groups in your area. Sign up for a few Facebook groups and try to connect with coaches, athletes, fitness gurus and anyone else who can help you on your journey. You can also make friends with strangers who also want to get in shape but don’t know where to start.
How Can Accountability Partners Help You Reach Your Goals?
With accountability partners, you’ll have people looking out for you and helping you stay motivated. One of the most common techniques to staying motivated is asking your partners to text you when it’s time to go to the gym. If you go, you can send them pictures and show them how much progress you’re making. And if you don’t go, you’ll have to explain to another person why you couldn’t make it.
Chances are, you won’t want to let them down by admitting that you stayed in bed instead of going to the gym today. This makes it much easier for you to stay motivated and get on a regular workout schedule.
If your accountability partners are on the same fitness journey, you can invite them to hit the gym with you and work out together. You’ll be able to support and encourage each other and have a great time while doing so. You might even start looking forward to going to the gym instead of dreading it.
