By Shaun Chavis
I'm in the market for some motivation—in the form of a new fitness partner. It's easier to tear myself away from work in the evening when I've got an unbreakable appointment with a walking buddy or my trainer (since I'm pinching pennies, I don't see my trainer as often these days). People were more successful at losing weight if they had an exercise buddy who also lost weight, according to a 2005 study.
But finding a fitness partner isn't always easy. For me, the best fitness partners were women who needed me as much as I needed them. I've had partners who hit the trails or the gym like clockwork every day. Exercising, to them, seemed as automatic as brushing their teeth in the morning. I'd partner with them, hoping that their great habits would magically rub off on me, but I'd always have this nagging thought, "She's doing me a favor… she's not getting anything out of this." It felt like I was getting exercise charity!
workout-partner-200.jpg —shared recipes, made diet-friendly food for family gatherings, and found ways to make exercise fun by trying things neither would have tried on her own. Julie lost 85 pounds, and Cathy lost over 100.
I'm curious, what's been the best fitness or weight loss partnership you've had? Who is your "ideal partner?"