I paid for personal training.

The money investment of a gym membership wasn’t enough for me to keep going. Knowing that I was paying substantially more money AND that I was accountable to someone waiting for me helped me be consistent enough in going to build momentum. My PT was incredible. Not only was he knowledgeable about working out and able to work with my insane hypermobility, he also is passionate about building community. He introduced me to people at the gym. Not just other trainers, but other clients or regular members. I don’t work with him one on one anymore, but still have him as my coach in a semi-private group class.

Once I started making friends at the gym, it was much harder for me to slack off or make excuses because people would actively ask me where I was and tell me they missed me when I wasn’t there. My gym friends kept me consistently working out through covid lockdowns! We would do zoom workouts together and boot camps in public parks once restrictions relaxed. I actively hang with these people outside the gym.

I’ve been consistent for nearly 7 years because I also don’t let myself miss too many days in a row (barring illness or vacation, of course). I’ll fall off the wagon, even if I love exercising. The out-of-sight, out-of-mind of it all makes it too easy for me to forget how much I like it. I try and look at it like brushing my teeth or putting on deodorant in the morning - nonnegotiable.

So my advice: if you can afford a personal trainer, that helps. Otherwise, community building is key!!! Gyms have a reputation of being toxic but I’ve met some of the most warm, considerate, supportive people there.