I lay in bed, snuggled in my fleece sheets, warm and toasty. My alarm went off 20 minutes ago, signalling that bootcamp is happening in one hour. Yet here I am…still laying in bed with my dog curled up by my side. The skies are grey, and it’s cold outside as winter continues to hang on despite the calendar declaring spring. The last thing I want to do right now is get out of bed, get dressed, and go outside!
Then I hear the ever-familiar sound of my phone as a text arrives. It’s a member of my FITFAM checking in to make sure I’m up and ready to kick some bootcamp butt. That’s one thing about a FITFAM – they keep me accountable and push me to be the best that I can be.
I’ve belonged to large gyms where I don’t know the person next to me on the treadmill and I’ve belonged to smaller groups – running and the gym. I much prefer the smaller groups – the one’s that know your name when you walk in the door and always make you feel welcome. But it’s more than just that, it’s about being part of a group that supports you in your health & fitness journey. On days that I feel sluggish, or like I’m not making any gains, my FITFAM is quick to remind me of how far I’ve come.
We all need support in our journey to help us celebrate the wins and to be there to get us through the obstacles. These may come in the form of food cravings, fitness plateaus, or general slumps and at these times, you will need your support system more than ever. Never hesitate to reach out to one of your trainers or fellow members…we are all here for the same reason…to become better than we were yesterday. I can guarantee that you’ll find someone more than willing to support you in your journey…the good, the bad, and the ugly!
Courteney Osborne is a personal trainer at 360fit, in Dartmouth and an accountant. She lives Halifax, Nova Scotia.