Today is great and I feel amazing!

I’m energized. I feel inspired, elevated, fulfilled, and a whole bunch of other warm-fuzzies!

WHY? Because I just got home from a training session with my coach, and with my friend and workout buddy.

This always leaves me feeling so content and grateful, that today it inspired me to write about it and share with you.

What was so great about this, or any other training session?  Not the workout itself, although that is always kick-a$$ fantastic, but it’s so much more.  Often it is the people whom you share this time with that inspire you most.

The social aspect of exercise is one of my top seven reasons I wrote about in my blog post “Exercise, Find Your Reasons“.  Spending an hour together – perhaps several times each week, whether that’s a trainer, a friend, or others just in the gym at the same time – and sharing the same physical pain (okay challenge, that’s what we’ll call our workouts 😉), you really do get to know each other!  We laugh, we connect, and we motivate and we support each other.

Sure, motivation and discipline comes from within, especially when it comes to starting and maintaining a fitness regimen.  But having people around you who share your passion and commitment, help to keep you accountable, who push you to achieve your best, and who you genuinely enjoy being around – can make your journey so much more rewarding!

If you’re struggling with motivation, accountability or simply not enjoying your workouts… consider with whom you are surrounding yourself with while doing it. Whether it’s running, bodybuilding, swimming, dancing or any other form of activity you partake in to improve your physical health, surround yourself with others whom you share mutual respect and passion and support with.  Find a workout buddy or two, join a gym, class or club.  Hire a trainer if possible.

Consider who the other people are in your gym or fitness class?  Are they supportive, are they fun to be around, do they even speak to you?  Like all things, sharing this part of your live with others who “get it” can make working out feel like a great coffee visit (or wine or beer!) with an old friend. This will ensure your exercise benefits not only your physical fitness and healthy, but also feed the soul 🙂