Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Workout friend


Hi Ladies!

I've always wanted to have a workout friend.

In college, when time was on our side, my husband and I would lift weights together and take long walks along country roads. Later, in graduate school, I had a friend who lifted weights with me too; he was great, always yelling at me to push myself harder, but in a friendly way. More recently, I convinced a friend to go to the 5:30 a.m. class with me, but she only lasted a couple of months (although even that was pretty impressive given that she had a 2.5 year old and a 1 year old at the time.)

With the new year, comes a new try. Today I have a new workout friend: my 70+ mother-in-law. We plan to walk and talk. This probably won't get my heart rate going as I will follow her pace, but I plan to strap some weights on my ankles and enjoy the companionship. Then maybe do something more strenuous too.

Do you have a workout friend?

7 comments:

  1. My workout friend is my little mini-schnauzer, Lola. She will walk and run with me to the end of the earth. :)

    About walking...a friend of ours works at the Biggest Loser ranch. He deals with the contestants everyday. He is also a Exercise Physiology major.

    I asked him how often the contestants have those crazy, tear forming workouts with Bob and Jillian and he said "not as often as you think". He said the key to the contestants weight loss is that they walk. YES, WALK!! He said that anytime the contestants have freetime, they walk. Walk, walk, walk. He said that the key to any weight loss (putting psychological/emotional issues aside)is putting in less calories than we are burning. That's why these people who are used to sitting on the couch and eating all that they want, can suddenly lose so much weight because they are consuming organic, nutritious foods (that they have to prepare themselves), drinking water, and walking. He said when they come back from a break with family (usually eating fast food and junk) you can literally see grease pouring from their skin. When they get back on the healthy food, their skin clears up,their hair is shiny and they feel great!
    I thought that was an interesting tid-bit. It encouraged me that even if I may not have a personal trainer, if I keep walking, it's gonna be alright! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, Missy, the insight into how Biggest Loser works is fascinating. I know that reality shows aren't real, but staged productions. Walking is something easy that everyone can do.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love hearing about the walking thing. I need to do that!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is so interesting, Missy! That is a post in itself. My workout buddy, drum roll please, is my mom too! Best work out buddy EVER!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I also have two furry workout buddies that join us. The chocolate lab is fat, but will keep up until the end. The black lab, who is in really good shape, will sit his rear end on the ground when he's done. Seriously, I'll be taking him for a run, and he will decide he's done and just sit down where ever we are. Not as good of a work out buddy.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think a workout partner gives you two things...someone who is counting on you and someone you truly bond with.

    I had this amazing running partner when we lived in NYC. We met at 5:30 in the morning. We're still friends to this day!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree with Audrey I have a special bond with anyone I have ever had as a workout buddy. My exercise buddies know more about me than anyone and are still near and dear to my heart. Sometimes it is more about the conversation than the exercise for me honestly.

    ReplyDelete