Fitness with friends or on your own?

AngieD2203
AngieD2203 Posts: 53 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi there,
I have been on and off the fitness wagon for years now, tried various different classes, dvds, eating plans etc etc.
I am very sporadic and random and need- for me to change things up or i get bored.
I have had many successes, and along the way fell off the wagon, but have always managed to pick myself up, brush myself off (be it a couple of days, a week or two or even a month or two) and climb back on.
I used to go to fitness classes, and totally enjoyed the company and the banter.
Then one day I decided to try insanity DVDs at home, loved them as much as I hated them and got great results, but what I think I took from this most was the fact I totally enjoy fitness on my own, at my own pace, be it fast or slow depending on my mood, and at a time that's suits me.
I have started walking with friends, and again although I enjoyed this from time to time, I hated waiting on people, or doing it at a time that suited, and much preferred to put my tunes on and get going at a pace that was a little faster and more productive for me.
Recently I have brushed the cobwebs off my bike and have really enjoyed getting out and about, challenging myself on various different routes. I enjoy the freedom of going where I want and for as long as I want, at the pace that I want, whenever I feel like it.
Now I think I have maybe inspired a few of my friends to do a little more, and have them asking me to if they can join me.
Whilst I don't mind now and again, I feel a little guilty when I go off on a whim, and they say "oh I would have come with you, give me a shout next time" ...... Is this just selfish little me, or does anyone else feel like this?

Replies

  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I feel the same way. I'd much rather do things on my own, at my own pace, without worrying about someone else. I would be ok with it once in a while, but otherwise I'd have to talk to them and explain to them that I am more efficient when I'm doing it alone... which is tough to do. Good luck.
  • lissdawn
    lissdawn Posts: 70 Member
    Angie I'm the same way. I started upping my lifestyle about 2 months ago. At first my best friend and I planned on hiking 3x a week. Her schedule and sometimes lack of motivation hindered me a bit (well I allowed it). So I started my own regime, walking 5x a week in the early morning. Any hikes we get in, I consider bonus.

    We now motivate each other by supporting each other's efforts, and when we get together for working out it's awesome, but this way I can keep up with my own personal fitness goals.

    And I love her company but I do have to say that starting my day out on a walk by myself is a really amazing way to start the day fresh, get into a positive mindset and feel so accomplished before I even get to work for the day. I can go at my own pace, go for as long as I want when I'm up early enough, or if I am a bit later getting out or just want to take a day off, I don't feel guilty for delaying her plans.
  • Unknown
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  • JONZ64
    JONZ64 Posts: 1,280 Member
    In the gym - On my Own

    5K's - Fun run with friends
  • 17ChargerGirl17
    17ChargerGirl17 Posts: 441
    The only friends I like to work out with are my headphones. LOL
    I don't want to talk (well try to talk) while on the Eliptical pushing myself.
  • Alidecker
    Alidecker Posts: 1,262 Member
    I pretty much do it all on my own, I have found that I am more dedicated than most and show up no matter what. That said, I do have one group class a week that I completely enjoy. It is the same people every week and we joke and have fun while working out. I miss the class when we don't have it, but during the rest of the time, I do it on my own.
  • sarafischbach9
    sarafischbach9 Posts: 466 Member
    There isn't anything wrong with what you do. When I was going to the gym a lot ( now I'm running outside more for a half marathon ) I noticed people who would go with friends didn't work out to their full potential and spent more time socializing and not really doing much. I think it can be more of a distraction.

    As far as my personal preferences, I prefer to work out alone. Once in a while I work out with my best friend. We would go to the gym and talk over the treadmill and elliptical and occasionally do strength, but I found that they were not my best work out days. However, it was a good way to hang out with my friend and catch up.

    Now we walk at the park once a week... it's just 5-6 miles. She and I have a similar pace, so I don't have any issues. Once in a while, it's good.

    For more serious stuff, I prefer to go alone.
  • robmac13h
    robmac13h Posts: 44 Member
    i try to encourage my friends to get out more but prefer to walk or cycle by myself so i can do my own thing and dont have to cut short a cycle to suit what plans others have,sometimes my 30 minute cycle can turn into 60 /90 0r more just depending on how i feel .also my cycling usually takes place very early morning
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    My friends know my schedule and what I'm doing...they are more than welcome to join me or not. I don't wait around for anyone and don't change things up for anyone but myself. My friends know that I ride Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Friday for 15 miles at 11:30 on the money...they can join me or not. My friends know that I hit the weight room every Tue and Thursday night at 6 PM and Saturday morning at 9 AM...they can join me or not. I don't cater to others, but I'm more than happy to have people tag along and I do enjoy helping others with their fitness.
  • csuhar
    csuhar Posts: 779 Member
    I often do my workouts on my own simply because of my strange schedule. I don't always go to or leave work at the same time, so it's hard to schedule things with other people. And, on top of it all, it seems to work best for me if I exercise late in the evening where my workout isn't directly adjacent to anything else on my schedule.

    That being said, I don't mnd working out with others in a more social situation. In fact, it was going to the gym as a way to hang out with my roommates in college that got me started in the weight room. I simply don't plan on it.
  • thesupremeforce
    thesupremeforce Posts: 1,206 Member
    Lifting was always easier when I had a full-time spotter (or a potential group of them). Other than that, I'm kind of a loner anyway.
  • Zx14chick
    Zx14chick Posts: 255 Member
    I have a tendency to let other things get in the way of my workout, which I wish I didn't do. My husband and I are very social so I often have no idea what we will end up doing after work or on the weekends. I really wish I could get the motivation, and good sleep, to allow me to get up early to work out. When I could afford to see a trainer, I worked out three times a week in the morning. Knowing that someone was waiting was good motivation. Now that I am unable to do that, I am struggling to keep my weight down. When I can afford it again, getting back into classes at the gym is what I will do.
  • martinel2099
    martinel2099 Posts: 899 Member
    You friends can come with you if it's convenient, otherwise go it alone. I prefer to do my own routine on my own time that best suites me which is already hard enough to do without considering someone else.
  • momxs2
    momxs2 Posts: 173 Member
    I think it depends on the activity. I don't think I could run with a friend because of pace reasons and in case they felt like talking and I didn't...but I must say I do enjoy taking classes with a friend because no talking involved, you get your workout done and leave together...I do this now and it works for me.
  • mank32
    mank32 Posts: 1,323 Member
    i'm the most active person i know (i could use some different friends, ikr?). i have a couple of friends who will hike trails with me. i can barely get any person to go on a walk with me (the dogs are usually game, but they're all getting old), 0 to go on a run and 0 to go skateboarding. i kind of consider it my job to exude health and wellness, so i keep asking my friends and family if they want to take a walk with me when the opportunity arises. i love company on a walk; on a run i could take or leave it. company while skateboarding would be fun too but it's hard to find skateboarding peers when you're in your thirties. :sad: i'm not at all interested in talking to a bunch of teen and 20-something dudes, let along befriending them. :yawn: :huh:
  • AngieD2203
    AngieD2203 Posts: 53 Member
    Ahh I'm not alone (so to speak) in the fitness on my ownsome thing.
    I do enjoy other company, but I like to just go on a whim, and waiting for people drives me nuts....puts me off my game.....

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