Days like this I realize just how much I appreciate the positive influence of living with someone who inspires me to be my best self. I feel like a lily-livered douche writing this, of course, because it tends to beg the question, “What? You don’t have the self control and drive to do these things for yourself?  Co-dependent, much?” I don’t think it works quite like that, but thanks for the flashback to high school.

Case in point, Rob is in Vegas on business. Last night, I came home with best intentions to do Upper Plus and Abs Core Plus, but by the time I struggled through my work day (remember I did a big fat run yesterday) and got back to the house in the non-air-conditioned car, with my fixin’s for a high-fiber chicken burrito, I didn’t want to do much but sit on the couch. I had my burrito, plus two bowls of light ice cream (hey! It’s light!) and was asleep by 9. Yesterday would have looked much different if Rob weren’t out of town, and, as much as I relish sitting on the couch and taking a night off every now and again, this morning I can’t help but think how much better I’d feel if I had powered through the workout and stuck to my plan.

But, that was yesterday and this is today– 5 miles and Abs Core Plus, no excuses!

I would need a mighty large whiteboard to list all the positive changes I’ve made in my life since Rob came along. Though I do get pissy when he goes “Coach Rob” on me, the fact of the matter is- I live a better life with his support and encouragement. In other words, it’s not the verbal prodding that gets me moving– the simple fact that we are in this together and it’s something to which we are both committed makes it easy to pick up the weights and pass up a bowl of ice cream or cocktail, no matter how nice it might sound at the moment. I’m OK with letting myself down on occasion, but I really don’t want to let him down.

I remember when my ex and I decided we were going to try to get in shape and joined Crunch. We looked at each other more as a ready excuse than a support mechanism. As a result, we failed at that together. It wasn’t until I got single that I was able to commit myself to my yoga practice and see real mental and physical progress.

I look at friends who are in relationships with people who don’t have the same level of drive for fitness and am amazed at their tenacity in the face of a partner who is neither here nor there about that part of their life, and, frankly, wonder how I’d fare if partnered with someone who just really didn’t care. But then, I look at my mom as a huge inspiration- I can’t tell you how old she is or she’ll kill me- but she is training for the LA marathon, lifts weights that will put most men her age to shame and is often mistaken for my sister. And my dad? Last I checked, I’m not too sure he cares much that she puts so much effort into staying healthy.

That is really a driver for why we want to build a community around this blog—we have friends on all points of the continuum. Some are in relationships where both are totally committed to physical wellbeing, some are solo flyers who kick major ass, some are in relationships with people who couldn’t care less, and some just want to come over for BBQ. And that’s A-OK with us; all are welcome!

So, here’s the question of the day… Who or what drives you? And, if you have a partner for whom physical fitness is just a 15-letter phrase, how do you overcome the temptation to let workouts slide? Or do you even feel the temptation?

I’m not sure exactly where I’m headed with this, so why don’t we discuss…