Fitness Friday: Why I Need Community to Succeed

As an introvert, it’s always baffled me how much I prefer to be surrounded by people during exercise. Any other aspect of my life, I prefer an inordinant amount of alone time, but I crave the accountability, friendship and support when it comes to my fitness.

I haven’t reflected on this much, but the relationships I’ve built in this fitness community are what motivate me to get to class, push myself harder and actually enjoy myself while I sweat.

The Lansing Fitness Community

I became more integrated into the local fitness community when I started working for Lululemon in 2015. I wasn’t feeling fulfilled by my day job and I couldn’t relate with my coworkers or really connect with them and so I joined Lululemon to surround myself with women with similar interests. It was an experience that changed my approach to fitness. It was no longer about staying on the elliptical for an hour, but using my work out time to try new things and meet new people, and push myself. And ever since, I’ve prioritized relationship building whether it’s getting to know the new instructors at FLEXcity Fitness, trying new classes or starting conversations at Conquest where I’ll work out on my own.

When I found out we were getting a Barre Code in East Lansing I was ecstatic. Just a few years ago, I felt like we didn’t have many fitness options and Lansing is now more of a fitness destination. Bonus, most of the gyms/studios I love are owned by women. And the addition of such a reputable studio in Lansing that emphasizes body positivity and feeling stronger and confident rather than “getting summer bodies” fits with so many of the positive studios here and gives us all another great fitness option. They have one more free week of classes and I plan to try the TBC and kickboxing classes now that I’ve tried a handful of the barre classes!

2018 Fitness Goals

My latest fitness goals has been to work out six days a week mixing up group classes and solo weight lifting. And knowing I have colleagues to head to class with me and having made friends with studio members and even gym staff holds me accountable to actually make it to my fitness destination. Accountability is key!

I’m also worrying less about my weight and more about building muscle. My goal is to be present whenever I’m at the gym or in a group class, meaning that I try my best to fully do each exercise and not half-ass it! I’m currently struggling with strength to cardio ratio because I hate running and I’ve also been running low on motivation as I usually do this time of year when I prefer to spend my time at a ice cream shop, restaurant patio or laying in bed where I have an air conditioner unit and not move for hours.

I’ve also tasked myself with initiating conversation and going out of my comfort zone to ask more questions. Ask instructors and fellow gym goers for advice or ideas. I’ve asked them what keeps them motivated on days they don’t feel like working out, I’ve asked what affordable equipment they keep at home for traveling or at-home workouts and I continue to ask how far should I push myself at a time since I’m overly cautious on hurting myself!

All of these goals rely on a fitness community to hold me accountable and help me learn as I continue in my fitness journey–and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.It’s worth noting that I’m proud of my booty–it used to be a flat, pancake butt and it’s slowly improving!

Everything Lululemon because I have a problem

Photography by Brooke Cummings