I never really bought into that work-out buddy theory. I always thought I was good enough motivation for myself, but that really didn’t work out for me as evidenced by the number of times I would hit the gym hard, then give up after a few weeks.
Since reconnecting with my lifelong friend, we’ve been making appointments appointments to exercise. We actually put our hikes in our work calendars and we plan our hot yoga sessions in advance. Knowing she will be there is a good motivator to go. I rely on her to be there and she relies on me to be there. We both slack off a little when we know the other person won’t be there.
Last night we were texting with her sister-in-law that is doing the 2,015 for 2015 that I mentioned last week. They were sending me their miles for the week and both were higher than mine because I didn’t put in any miles that day. I said, “Underachiever here, I didn’t do anything today!” Her response was, “The day’s not over!” That did it for me…I got my ass up off the couch and went to the gym and got in 4.8 miles. I felt better about myself and about helping the team. I was amazed at the power of those four words.
I’m now a believer in the buddy system. I know that my friends will be looking for me at our 5:30 am at hot yoga class. I know I don’t want to make the call to say, “I’m not going hiking today.” Or now that we’re doing the challenge, “I’m not going to get to my mileage this week.” Call it friendly competition, call it peer pressure – it doesn’t matter, it’s motivation for me!
The McButterpants Project 
My husband is my workout buddy but we both let each other off the hook. I would never let down a woman friend. Guess I need a cycle and Pilates buddy. Good work.
Same here – my husband and I make plans to go to the gym and something almost always gets in the way!