| Just the “Two” of Us! – Jazz up your workouts with a partner. by Lorrie Lean, Fitness Expert/ Speaker Working out is inevitable! This is especially true if getting or staying in shape are a part of your personal goals. At the beginning of the year, a popular new year’s resolution is set to lose weight or get in shape. A realistic course is charted for getting there. Preparations and plans are made to work fitness into the schedule. New workout clothes and shoes have the fresh feeling and so does the workout. Into a new groove, working out regularly is noooo question for getting that “New You”. THE EXCITEMENT BEGINS!!! Pictures of that once before you, soon to be again, or that celebrity whom you admire to “have that body” like is placed on the fridge. The visualization process of that transformation begins. I can do it! YES!! Positive self talk is performed to be stimulated into that motivating feeling to workout, when needed. One week goes by and you are definitely on course! Two weeks… YES! Soreness but tolerable because you are going to do this!! A positive routine is now made for a month or two. Then, something happens. The excitement is going down. Unnecessary questions come to mind, like, why am I doing this EVERY single day…. Who will know if I skip a day or two? The plan that started easy now slacks because that excitement dies. You know that in order to get to that “New You”, you have to keep on doing it. How do you stick with something that you know is important and stay committed and accountable, especially when there is no one but you? All that’s needed is sticking to the plan! Sticking to the plan sounds easy at the beginning. In actuality, more disciple and determination is needed when the new workout isn’t so new anymore. Sometimes I’m asked, “Lorrie, how do you stick with your workouts?” Besides, not giving myself an option of NOT working out, I do have some tricks up my sleeve for helping workouts to stay fresh and fun. Working out with a partner is one great example. Your workout partner may not have the experience or education that a fitness professional or personal trainer may have. But, your workout partner can help you with some great skills that a fitness professional or personal trainer may possess. You may even think of your workout partner as your free personal trainer! There are so many advantages that working out with a partner can bring to the table. Motivate. Your workout partner can keep you on track with your goals by motivating you along the way. They can give that extra pep talk that you need when you know that you don’t want to do another rep or set. Giving you that extra push is sometimes all that is needed to push you to the next level of your workout. Accountability. Working a job can be exhausting mentally or physically that some may feel too tired to workout afterwards. Without a workout partner, excusing yourself from a workout or two is easy. However, if excuses are made not to show up for a workout, a great workout partner will keep you accountable to remember your goals. Before your mind is set not to workout, your mind will be changed to stick with your plan and meet for a great workout. Encouragement. Progress may not be seen over a short period of time, if not measured. Along the way you may even break down and think… what am I doing all this for because I’m not seeing the results yet. Long lasting results are accomplished slowly. So, a great workout partner would remind you that the workouts are worth every inch or pound to change your body and give encouragement to stick with it. Consistency. When you set your body to a schedule and stick with it, you will see results. Consistency is an important key to getting your goals accomplished. When you find a workout partner with a similar schedule that you both can stick to and be consistent with the days and lengths of your workouts, your body will react positively to consistency. Then, seeing your results on your body will start showing through. Great spotter or mirror. Pushing through that last rep that you may not even have been able to do without your workout partner is now completed because you have your workout partner. Just in case you are working out where there are no mirrors or sometimes even when there are mirrors, a workout partner can check for your form and other easy things, for example, to remind you on your posture when performing an exercise. This is benefit you may not be aware of your posture because your focus is on getting your workout completed. There are no guidelines for finding a great workout partner. However, I have some helpful tips to keep in mind to make your workout even more productive with your workout partner. Similar size. This is crucial for spotting. If the body type of your partner is smaller than your body type is, they may not be as effective in helping you push through that last challenging rep, as you would like. Similar schedules. Although there may not be someone that you can find to be available on all of the days and times that you workout, it may be helpful to find someone that is available for most of the days and times that you are available. Similar Goals. Your particular goal does not have to be the same as your workout partner’s goal. But if they are just as serious as you are in being dedicated to get to their goals, you’ll be a great tag team and support base for each other. Similar Attitude. A positive attitude is not required but is very helpful when it comes to support, motivation, and helping you stay dedicated while you both are working out. If you have had a hard day, brush your shoulders off at the door, turn that frown up-side-down, and focus on what you came to do WORKOUT!!!! As you feel your new year’s resolution for fitness slipping through your finger tips, close your hand and grab hold of a workout partner to help you through that rough period. There are lots of workouts that can be done ALONE. But, if you keep your thoughts open, you can find lots that you can do with TWO in mind. ### Additional Resource American Council on Exercise - http://www.acefitness.org  Lorrie Lean - Fitness Expert/ Speaker Mental Fitness is Lorrie’s expertise. Lorrie knows what it takes to prepare, motivate, inspire, and succeed in mind, body, and in life! She is traveling globally to share her secrets! Lorrie Lean is available for bookings, events, hosting, emceeing, guest appearances, speaking engagements, fitness modeling, and sports and fitness marketing consultations. For Lorrie Lean, contact her assistant, Sasha at 612.367.6446; email at lorrielean@gmail.com, also available on social media sites; Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin. |
|
0 Comments
|
RSS Feed