Accountabilibuddies

One of the key things I’ve learned about myself that I’m trying to incorporate into my fitness routine, is that I much prefer to work out with people.  That’s why sports work for me, that’s why I liked running with Coach H. and CB when I never ever was anything close to a runner before, and that’s why I was able to consistently hit the gym for a while with my gym-buddy ML (before he switched jobs and we couldn’t just swing down to the gym after work and be there to mostly hold each other accountable and sometimes say, “screw this, let’s go down a bottle of wine instead”).  It’s been good to have people to work with me and help motivate me – accountabilibuddies – who are also on the same wavelength as me.

I think it’s key to find a variety of people to work out with, to find a variety of activities, and to work with people at different experience and comfort levels.  Generally, I prefer working with people who are on the same level as me in terms of motivation, but it’s also great to work with those who are more experienced that can help coach you and broaden your skills.  The motivation with other new people can be attributed to a few factors – but the underlying theme to them all is the common bond of taking on a new challenge.  It’s different going with someone who would go to the gym anyway, versus going with someone who is there because you’re there as much as you’re there because they’re there.  Did I use enough pronouns for you in that sentence?

I miss my workouts with ML.  He would stop by the office after work, and we’d both moan about not wanting to do this but we both knew it was good for us and we needed to do this.  Most days, no matter how strong the desire to skip the gym was, we made it.  As I said before, some days, we let ourselves say “no, no, today is not a work out the stress in the gym day, today is a bottle of wine and brie day.”  ML was a pretty stellar gym buddy and he’s an even better wine-buddy.  A key factor in our success, inasmuch as we were successful for a time, was planning ahead of time when we would go to the gym – the commitment.

Unfortunately, on a regular basis it can be difficult to find someone who has the same schedule as you – as much as I prefer to work out with people, it’s not always feasible.  Everybody’s work-out plans are unique to themselves, which is fantastic, and that means different gyms and different schedules.  Even when there is overlap in your plans, it can still be difficult to follow the buddy system at all times because everybody’s lives and schedules are different in general.  So, I’m going to try making myself accountable through the blog – making anybody who’s reading this one of my accountabilibuddies.  I’m going to do this by laying out my rough plan for the week, and being honest about how I am sticking to it.

So, what’s my plan for this week?

• Monday: Strength Training, Light Cardio
• Tuesday: Strength Training, Light Cardio
• Wednesday: Rest Day
• Thursday: Sports Day
• Friday: Strength Training, Light Cardio OR Yoga
• Saturday: Rest Day
• Sunday: Heavy Cardio Day

I can tell you right now that today I did do my strength training (with my new plan and my super nerdy tracking sheet) and I did do some light cardio (on the elliptical, as there was someone else using the treadmill and I hate treadmill running anyway).  I hope that I can report in later this week that I’ve been sticking to the plan… wish me luck, accountabilibuddies!