Find a Friend and....WORKOUT!

                          Reasons why I LOVE to workout with my sister-friend, Cindy…..                     and why you should work out with a buddy too!

1.     I don’t want to let her down, so I SHOW UP!  Knowing your friend is waiting for you at the gym or on the trail is a huge motivational tool. “If you know a friend is waiting for you at the gym or won’t pound the pavement without you, it’s tough to bail,” says Thomas Plante, PhD, professor of psycology at Santa Clara University.

2.     I need therapy!  Decompressing with a friend at the gym not only improves your physical health, but your mental health as well!  As a huge multi-tasker, I love the opportunity to accomplish two things with one date!  Cindy is my therapy!

3.     I WORK HARDER!  According to a study done by Michigan State, women work harder and longer if they are with other women as opposed to working out alone.  Ain’t that the truth?!  Cindy always pushes me to be better.  Just watching what she is doing inspires me to up my game. 

4.     I burn MORE calories!  We have an understanding that in 60 minutes we’d like to burn at least 300 calories to make it worth our while.  A study based in the UK found that you burn an average of 40 more calories when you are sweating with friends.  I think it goes back to wanting to put your game face on with your friends…you don’t want to let them down, so you give 110%.  Result: you burn more calories! 

What is the take away here, ladies?  We are social beings, so making your fitness journey a priority with a friend or friends will increase the likelihood of fitness becoming a lifestyle rather than a momentary event.  Start your fitness journey today….and start it with a phone call to a friend!