Over the next few weeks, I want to share with you the top ten strategies that I personally believe it takes to stick with an exercise program. Each week, I will have a basic strategy for you to implement into your program. Some may not be new. However, there may be a new way of thinking about it which can lead to consistency in your exercise program, even if you are a busy woman.
STEP 1- THE RIGHT SUPPORTER
When designing an exercise program for a busy woman, I find that consistency can be the biggest challenge. That is why one of my top ten ways to stick to an exercise program is to find a friend who can be that support and accountability partner. Having someone to give encouragement can contribute greatly to the success of a program.
DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT SUPPORT?
It is easy to give up if you do not have the support of your spouse, children, or best friend. Sometimes, they may even be the one, who tries to sabotage your success. If you have found that to be the case for you, find someone else who will be supportive. The right supporter and true friend will:
- Believe in you with encouragement and motivation
- Look to your interest and not their own
- Share your same goals and values, maybe even become an exercise partner to meet for accountability
1 Thessalonians 5:11 describes the type of friend we should have.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.”
ARE YOU DOING IT ALONE?
We, as women, cannot do it alone. I was once guilty of being so busy with life that I neglected my friendships. There was a time I thought is was ok to just have acquaintances and I did not have time to invest in meaningful friendships. Did I miss out? I now understand the need of having the right “girlfriends” who are all working toward the same goals.
Because of my natural tendency to fear failure, there are times I might quit in many areas of my life. If those feelings start to surface, I know it is time to reach to my friends who are positive and share the same goals in life. They give me the courage to move ahead.
Are you someone who has neglected investing in true friendships? Are you surrounding yourself with friends who are a support system for you? Finding that person may be your first plan of action when starting a new fitness program. It just may be the key to sticking with it.
I am curious…who is your biggest supporter?
To Your Health!
Crystal
About Crystal Breaux
My husband and I just started a new exercise program. When he goes to work out early in the day he encourages me to go soon after I finish working. He even makes dinner so that I can go. It’s the small sacrifices that help keep me motivated and feeling the results.
That’s awesome Anne!!! My husband brings me a bowl of ice cream!! Grrrr…..
Thanks for sharing this today Crystal!! Accountability is truly something we all need, especially those who are not as self-disciplined. GREAT stuff here!!!
Ann
How awesome is that? You are blessed to have a great encourager in your husband and does it for himself too
a great top ten tip, crystal! it caused me to think about the times that i HAVE had an exercise buddy…those were always the most consistent times, too! thanks for the encouragement! <3
Accountability is really key in everything. Exercise no different 🙂
One of the biggest challenges I face right now is my husband. His idea of “proper” fitness activities, ways to achieve proper health, etc doesn’t mesh with mine. I signed up for a walking club that will participate in a 10mile walking challenge in Sept. He thinks it’s silly to “pay” to walk when their are great paths all around us. But it’s not about the path for me. It’s the group energy, the personal challenge of the distance event, and besting my time from last year. He pushes back when I sign up for 5K events for the same reason, but he’s never experienced the energy of the cheering crowd, or the motivation the events can bring to someone like me. He had the ability 12+ yrs ago to lose weight and create his own plan for lifting weights. Great! But what works for him isn’t the same thing that works for me. Any suggestions on how to “convince” him that my approach is good for me, and to find ways to encourage me rather than to poo-poo my ideas?
Amy
you probably will not be able to convince him so i would not try. Surround yourself with other positive people who are Doing the same thing. He will see the results in you. Unfortunately you may have to realize he will not be your biggest encourager and look to your girlfriends for that support
I often wish I had a buddy to work out with or walk with. My friends live too far away to get together daily to go for a walk. My daughters are not consistent, they give up because they are too tired, so I have to go it alone and I fail more often than succeed. The one time in my life that I was totally consistent as much as the weather would allow me to be is when the kids were going to the school closest to my house. I would walk two miles a day. One there and back in the morning and the other there and back in the afternoon. I felt good and I felt like I accomplished something. But now, I struggle to even do tai chi, which I truly love. I cannot go when school is out because I watch my four grandchildren and the classes are in the morning. Next year, I will be watching an infant again, so that will stop everything unless I want to go at night. I don’t like being out at night during the winter, it is just too cold.
I do not do exercise stuff with my husband as he is too competitive. He will compete even when he doesn’t need to and he truly does not even realize it, but I learned a long time again, that is not an area we can share. So, the struggle of self-discipline goes on.
Thanks for a great article, I am looking forward to the next one.
Jackie, God wants us to bring everything for him. I will share with a quick testimony. 12 years ago, I started praying that my husband would discover new “cool” christian men that could be is inner circle. For the past ten years, he has been leading a men’s group at our home every Sunday night. Men who have become his accountability partners, biking partners and inner circle. My point is this. Start praying that God will bring your friends that you could walk or exercise with and provide you opportunites to take care of your physical health. He cares about that too. I encourage you to pray that daily and give him your will and time and watch what He will do.