It's raining outside. Your shoes are still wet from your last walking session. You really should just go out and exercise, but there's something good on TV. Maybe later...

Sound familiar?

Now try this scenario: It's raining outside. Your shoes are wet and you don't really feel like going for a walk, but your cell phone is blinking with a message from your buddy that says she's already left the house and she'll meet you at the trail. You know you have to go, or she'll give you a hard time for ditching her. So, you grab your soggy shoes and head off for a power walking session. Afterwards, you feel good. You always feel good afterwards; it's the getting started part that's hard.

That's why it's so beneficial to have someone else to exercise with on a regular basis. There's no type of fitness regimen that can't benefit from having a fitness buddy. If it's weightlifting, your buddy can spot you. If it's running or biking, they can push you to go faster than you would if you were alone. If it's climbing, she can catch you when you slip and start careening down the mountain (maybe climbing isn't the safest fitness activity).

Whatever your choice of fitness outlets, a workout buddy can not only push you harder than you would yourself, but they can actually get you out the door. Never underestimate the power of social obligations. Those of us who wouldn't think twice about breaking a date with ourselves cringe at the idea of breaking a date with a friend. Especially if we have friends who are experts at giving the guilt-trip.

OK, so you're sold on the idea of a fitness buddy. But wanting one can be easier than finding one. Your regular friends might not be into fitness, or they're the kind of people who start something with good intentions and gradually slack off. It's important to find someone who is as dedicated to fitness (or more dedicated) than you are. But where to look? Here are some ideas:

Ask a friend, or see if a friend of a friend is looking for somebody.

If you belong to a gym or health club, see if there is a bulletin board out front where you can post requests.

Join an exercise class or take some sports lessons; you might find an interested person or two.

Check fitness web sites, especially related to your interests; there may be a message board where you can look for activity partners.

Whatever route you choose, don't be afraid to initiate proceedings by starting up conversations with people or starting new threads on message boards. You might be surprised at how many people are also looking for regular workout buddies.

Once you find a fitness buddy, don't let him or her down. If you both show motivation and keep to a regular schedule, you'll both reap the benefits.

About the Author:

TC Thorn is a writer for www.fitness-buddies.com, a site with articles on fitness and weight-loss as well as a forum for helping people find fitness buddies in their area. This article may be reprinted, so long as the about author information is included in the link is active.

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What if I told you that there was a particular chemical that gave you better endurance, helped you lose weight, helped produce healthy skin, aided digestion, and was necessary for just about every vital function of your body? Would you think I was selling snake oil, or some new diet pill? What if I also told you that this chemical was free, legal, abundant, and already in your kitchen?

The chemical I'm talking about is water. Everybody knows that you need water to live, but most people do not understand the importance of water in day to day function. Even fewer people understand water's role in fitness.

Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj ,author of the book Your Body's Many Cries for water, claims that most people are chronically dehydrated and don't know it. Symptoms of chronic dehydration, according to Dr. Batmanghelidj include dyspepsia, ulcers, back pain, heartburn and rheumatoid pain amongst other ailments. Even those in the medical community do not frequently fully recognize water's role in health.

Let's talk about weight loss. Recent studies show that the majority of Americans are overweight, and the weight loss industry is a multi-billion dollar a year enterprise. Water is necessary to dissolve fat. Water also helps regulate body temperature through perspiration. When the body is dehydrated it will hoard subcutaneous fat as an alternate way to regulate its thermostat.

For those engaged in exercise water becomes even more vital. According to an article in the Journal of Sports Science, exercisers who drink fluid may last 33% longer per session than those that don't. Water helps your electrolyte balance and is critical to muscular strength and coordination. However, a 1998 article in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition states that exercisers tend to replenish only about 50% of the fluid they lose during a workout.

How do people know if they are dehydrated? Well some of the symptoms of mild dehydration include thirst and dry mouth. However, you can be dehydrated before you ever feel thirst. A good way to tell if you are dehydrated is by the color of your urine; it should actually be colorless.

Almost everyone has heard that you should drink 8 glasses of clean water every day. These 8 glasses do not include water with stuff in it, soda, coffee, alcohol, tea, etc. Drinks with caffeine and other chemicals can actually be more dehydrating. Anything that the body doesn't use has to be flushed away. Philip Goglia a nutritionist, in his book Turn up the Heat, recommends 1 ounce of water for every 1 pound of body weight. Water toxicity (drinking too much water) is very rare, but to be safe check with your doctor before starting any radical new regimen.

To recap, water provides benefits in areas health, weight loss, athletic performance, digestion, healthy skin and eyes and numerous other areas. Water is also important in the prevention of obesity, muscle cramps, digestive problems and many other ailments. Most people do not drink enough water. So have yourself a wonderful glass of natures super chemical—water.

John Moore
Martial Training Systems
www.martialtrainingsystems.com

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