How to Jumpstart Your Walking Routine With a Fitness Buddy

Do you need a motivational boost to supercharge your fitness walking routine? Let's face it! It can be a challenge to hit the pavement alone every day. Why not enlist the help of a fitness buddy?

Who qualifies as a fitness buddy? A fitness buddy can be your best friend, the lady down the street, or even your trusty canine companion.

Studies have shown that women who walk with a buddy shed more body weight than those who exercise alone. An exercise buddy can provide you with the support and motivation you need to stick with your routine on a daily basis. Plus, when you feel discouraged or bored with your routine, your fitness buddy can talk you through it.This will help get back on course and shed those excess pounds.

How do you locate a fitness buddy? Sometimes it's as simple as teaming up with a friend who already walks or can be persuaded to start walking. If that's not a option, consider joining a walking club. You can approach a member at a meeting and discuss the possibility of becoming fitness partners. You can also consider advertising on a community bulletin board for a potential partner. If you have a canine companion, it's as simple as snapping on a leash. An enthusiastic canine with a wagging tail may be the best motivator of all! And both of you will benefit.

Make sure that you share similar goals with your fitness buddy. If you buddy wants to walk at a snail's pace and you're a diehard power walker, you may have a conflict that needs to be resolved early in the partnership. It would be beneficial if you sit down with your potential fitness buddy and discuss your exercise goals. Together, you can establish a fitness walking schedule as well as prepare charts to monitor your individual progress. This can be a great motivator! If you add a bit of time to your regular workout or move a bit faster, add a gold star to your chart for that day to reward yourself for a job well done.

It's important to remember when you exercise with your fitness buddy, you need to maintain your focus to reach your fitness goals. Don't be so distracted by small talk that you slacken the pace and reduce the benefits of your exercise session. You should walk at a pace that allows you to talk, but talking should come with some difficulty if you're trying to optimize your aerobic benefits.

You've now learned one secret to a more pleasant and stimulating fitness walking workout. Why not grab your exercise shoes and your fitness buddy and let's hit the pavement!