Do you have your buddy? Don’t enter your health journey without them. Use the buddy system at all times.

Let’s face it, life is hard. Living a healthy life can arguably make it harder. Whether you are trying to focus on living a healthy spiritual, physical, emotional life, or all of the above, you need to have a buddy. And here’s why…

• Having a buddy will keep you growing.
  • Proverbs 27:17 says “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”  When you are working out with someone, you are more likely to push yourself a little harder and do a little more than you are comfortable. In the Journal of Sports and Exercise Psychology, they tested this idea with the Köhler Effect. This is when a less capable member is paired with a stronger member to do a task. The less capable member does more than expected because they are inherently motivated by the stronger. If you want to get better, get someone to workout with you. Preferably someone who is strong where you are weak and vice versa.
• Having a buddy will help you not to quit.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:14 / And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. It is inevitable that you are going to have a day when you are not going to want to workout or eat healthy. It is important for you to have someone who will encourage you to keep doing the right thing. Results comes from consistent effort. I would advice someone who you have already developed a relationship with so when times get hard, they know how to best motivate you.

So what makes a good work out buddy. Here are some qualities to look for or communicate.

1. Someone who works out with you at the same place and time.
2. Someone who is reliable.
3. Someone who has fitness goals. (They don’t necessarily have to be the same.)
4. Someone who will hold you accountable even when you make excuses.
5. Make sure to discuss an appropriate “bailing” days. Times that both of you have constitute as valid skip days.

I really struggled without a workout partner. Especially in the beginning when I didn’t see the results I wanted. I needed to constantly be reminded that the hard work is working, I just needed to give it time and stay consistent.

I dedicate this post to my workout buddy, Ryan. I couldn’t have done it with out you…or at least it wouldn’t have been as fun. 😉