The Buddy System Works

Having trouble sticking with a workout routine? Partner up! "Having a partner can be incredibly beneficial," says psychologist Joshua Klapow, PhD, associate professor of psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

In an attempt to determine what motivates young adults to exercise and keep exercising after college, researchers at Ohio State University, surveyed nearly 1,000 college students and found men who have friends who exercise are more likely to exercise as well.

The survey also determined that women were more likely to be active if raised in an active family. Family support is provided at a distance while most students attend college, and may be a weaker form of support than that of peer-group support.

This may also explain why college males are more likely to be active than their female counterparts; 39 percent of men surveyed were active at least three days per week, versus a mere 26 percent of women according to the American Council on Exercise.

Find one or even two people who are looking to work out with you on a regular basis. Make sure your buddy is on a similar fitness level and is willing to stick to a plan to support and motivate one another. Call, e-mail and most importantly workout with each other. Start a diet plan or a health recipe book together. Mix it up by trying new classes or routines together.

The partnership will give a boost of confidence knowing you have someone who is pushing you to do your best. Discuss your goals and hold one another accountable for those goals. The encouragement will help you stay committed and see results before you know it.