Bells Broadcast: Why now is the best time to find yourself an exercise partner!

Have you ever been for a walk and stopped earlier than planned because you didn’t have the motivation to finish off the rest of the way?

Have you hit the snooze button on your alarm for a gym session because you were too exhausted, and because no one was holding you accountable to turn up?

Today, Annabel and the teams at Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble, Balmain, Neutral Bay, Coburg – Melbourne, and Barrie, Ontario – Canada will discuss why it is so important to include family and friends along your health journey and how this can have a positive impact on your experience.

Everyone knows how hard it can be to stick to a behaviour change over the long haul, whether it’s eating a healthier diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking or any of the countless ways people work to improve their health and wellness. It can feel easy in the early days, when your motivation is at its peak, but it’s essential that you have strategies to keep yourself on track when “life happens” and obstacles appear.

Working at Longevity Exercise Physiology, we have the pleasure of working with individuals and changing their lives through prescribing individualised exercise programs for our clients. We love changing people’s lives and seeing the impact that family and friends support can have on those wanting to achieve their goals. Having the support of family and friends can keep you accountable and more motivated to achieve your goals.

What impact can training with your family and friends have on your health?

Having a support network has multiple benefits, such as keeping you accountable and motivated. It enables you to express and share your journey and troubleshoot your problems and barriers and have people around you who can share your accomplishments. The Journal of Social Sciences has found that inviting a family member or friend along on your fitness journey it can have proven benefits. If you do not have a support person or group, think about a family member, friend, trainer or community groups you may be a part of.

“Friends and loved ones can influence your perceptions about health and health behaviours, as well as increase your self-efficacy and motivation.”

Social support from friends, family, co-workers and other important players in your life can be a strong predictor of how successful you will be in adhering to a behaviour change over the long term. Friends and loved ones can influence your perceptions about health and health behaviours, as well as increase your self-efficacy and motivation. A supportive social network can also help you address problems and provide emotional support when feelings of stress or other negative factors threaten to interfere with your quest to make behavioural changes. Another benefit of social support is that it’s a two-way street, meaning that you’re providing that support in addition to receiving it.

How can our Exercise Physiologists help both you and your family and friends?

As Exercise Physiologists, we can offer clients support and encouragement to keep them on track with their strategy and successfully steer them in the direction towards their goals. The more support that individuals have on their health journey the better. It is important for us (as Exercise Physiologists), to help our clients build a large support network either with the encouragement of those at home, or online/community groups. Having someone (or multiple people) out there for support can make the difference. Especially, if this is the first time starting an exercise regime.

An offer to get your partners training started!

During family and friend’s week from 31st October 2022 to 13th November 2022, refer a friend or family member to Longevity and if they book in for an initial consultation, you will receive 50% off your next session!

So if you and a family member or friend want to make health your top priority together, give Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble, Balmain, Neutral Bay, Coburg – Melbourne, and Barrie, Ontario – Canada a call on 1300 964 002 so we can help you both on your way & achieve your goals!

Written by Annabel Bergman