If you’re like me, chances are you’re pretty good at selling yourself on just about anything. I’ve sold myself tons of stuff over the years, land, vehicles, memberships, accessories, and the list goes on. Most of this either I flat out didn’t need, or I could have spent half as much money and received the same functionality on a lesser known brand. Sound like you?
I’ve found over the years that I’m pretty good at selling myself out of exercise too. In fact, I’m a serious Closer. I never fail when I set my mind to it. Which is why it’s so important to have an accountability buddy…especially if you’re just starting a new fitness program.
Typically when we make the decision to start exercising, it’s after some major revelation. Like we woke up one morning only to find that the Fatty Fairy stopped by in the middle of the night and deposited and extra 10..20..50…..100 pounds while we were asleep. We make the declaration right then and there that this is going to stop!!! From here on out I’m going to start eating better! I’m going to get more sleep!! I’m going to start working out again!!! You tell yourself that you’re serious this time, and you are.
The problem is life doesn’t always bend to your set of rules. Two days later your kid tells you after dinner that he has a science project due the next day and he hasn’t even started on it yet…another late night. You put in a 12 hour day at work and don’t have the energy to cook…another quick trip through McDonald’s. You start Week One of 5K101 and you love it, but you’re sore and tired and the salesman inside you convinces you with little effort that you can just take a couple weeks off to recover and then get after it again. Yeah right.
My brother in law Ron has an awesome “Ronism” he likes to repeat any time someone mentions joining a gym. He says, “I joined a gym one time and managed to lose one hundred & fifty in the first 2 months”! The problem is, he’s talking about dollars, not pounds.
I know I talk about this a little bit on the 5K101 podcast, but it’s worth reiterating again here. There is absolutely no substitute for a good accountability buddy. Your buddy can be anyone, Just as long as you pick someone who understands what you are going through, why you are doing it, and what you hope to achieve by it.
For me it’s my wife. Jaye is a much better runner than I am. She’s twice as fast, in better shape ten times over, and has absolutely no qualms about telling me to quit making up lame excuses and get out there. She gives me a hard time, but in a good way. She understands what my goals are and she wants to see me realize them, even if it means busting my chops occasionally…okay, all the time.
If you don’t have someone in your life that will hold you accountable I encourage you to get active on our facebook fan page and make friends with someone who will. Just make a quick post and tell us a little about yourself and what week you are on. I’m sure you will find several others in the exact same boat as you who would love to partner up! But once you make that commitment, make sure that YOU are the accountability buddy that you want them to be. Check in with them at least 3 times per week to make sure they did their workout. If they give you excuses, love on ‘em, but tell them they need to submit that excuse to the excuse wall and then get after it. If they get mad, just blame it on me. 
If you want to be successful and really see positive results from this program, finding an accountability buddy is hands down the best way to do that. So who’s your accountability partner?
Feel free to post your thoughts in the comment section below or just chime in and let us know who your accountability buddy is! Good luck out there!
BTW…The Running Mate 5K101 T-Shirts are in and they’re fabulous!! Get yours now while supplies last!
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