Fitness is a very personal journey. No one is going to make you more physically fit unless you want it for yourself. It takes soul searching, a desire to be healthier and a drive to get off of the couch and lace up the sneakers. Having said that, this is not easy to do alone. Finding a workout partner keeps you honest and motivated to keep showing up.

“Happiness is only real, when shared”

Chris McCandless

Can’t Tell Me Nothin’

When I was at my heaviest weight, the idea of breaking a sweat was not my idea of fun. My wife has always been active and would try to encourage me to join her. In my head, I worked too hard at my job to stress myself any further. If I had free time, I was not going to waste it on frivolous activities just to be sore the next day. Besides, I just ate an enormous lunch that put me into a food coma, there is a football game on, and I have a beer in my hand. No thanks, you have fun. 

I was a master of excuses. If there was a twinge of pain anywhere in my body, it wasn’t worth the risk of further injury. Who was going to watch the kids if we were both selfishly exercising? Has the dog even eaten today? Yes? Both meals? 

As Jay Z once said “Don’t sell me bullshit, we know the prices”

I was trying to sell my wife (and myself) some bullshit and I knew it. I prioritized my comfort over my health and that is a very dangerous slope to slide down. Simply put, when the body is not physically active and unhealthy foods are consumed, life’s dominoes tend to start falling. I was always tired and unmotivated in all aspects of my life. I sunk into depression. All of this was a slow progression, but once I was deep in, it became clear to those who knew me best, and then finally to myself, that I was not the same person I once was. 

Workout Partner by Chance

A friend recently told me a great story of how she found her workout partner. She had not been very active for some time, but had started (begrudgingly) to run every so often. On one particular jog, she bumped into an old friend who was going slightly faster. She wanted to catch up on life, so she had to keep up. On their run, it was revealed that they were both just starting to exercise again. After a few miles, they reached their cars, exchanged numbers, and promised to meet up for lunch one day. The next morning, my friend got a text;

“Day 2 run?”

It could have been her ego not wanting to be outdone, or a competitive side of her coming out. Or maybe it was just the sheer joy of connecting with a friend. Regardless of the reason, she went, and years later, they are still regular running partners. 

Keep it simple, stupid

Not knowing where to start was a big hang up for me. The thought of a big elaborate exercise routine and schedule was overwhelming and would stall that first step.

I came across an Instagram account of a guy doing simple body weight exercises in his living room. Most of the workouts consisted of 3 rounds for each exercise at :30 a piece. I thought to myself, I can do that. I asked my wife if she wanted to join me, and she was all about it. We went to the garage, put on some old school hip hop, and started the first workout on his profile. 

My wife completed all exercises with ease. I was a little slower, but most importantly, I made it through. I broke a sweat, and that was my goal. 

The next day, it was a little more difficult to get my ass in gear. I knew what to expect and was sore from the day before. My wife was already in workout clothes and waiting. My competitiveness kicked in. I no longer wanted to be the only adult in the house that was out of shape. We headed to the garage. 

Fast forward to a month later and I was hooked. My wife and I looked forward to our workouts together. We pushed each other every day to go further and work harder. We were getting stronger and excess weight was beginning to shed. If there was a day one of us could not workout, there was enough residual motivation from before for the other to do something solo, and we were back at it the next day. 

Two years later, my wife is still my best workout partner. We inspire each other, we grow together, and we challenge each other’s limits. 

Motivating Others

Some friends and family members noticed the change in my appearance and started asking questions. Some even started coming over to workout with us. Finding a partner to exercise with not only benefits your personal growth, but we all have the ability to inspire others to grow as well.