Getting Your Partner (or Date) Interested in Exercise

I got an interesting letter recently from one of my readers who is trying to motivate his boyfriend to get in better shape. This can be tough because people only change when they're ready. It takes a lot of energy and effort to try an motivate someone to engage in an activity that they just might not be that interested in doing,

But here are some ideas that just might work.

� Lead by example. Inspire your boyfriend or girlfriend to exercise by being a role model. Through your own active and healthy lifestyle, demonstrate the amazing exercise benefits that you enjoy.

� Plan fitness dates. Who says date night needs to be dinner and a movie? Try biking or a long walk on the beach. Try roller skating or swimming. If your significant other enjoys it, they will probably want to go back. Sometimes you just need to find the type of exercise that your partner or date enjoys. You could also try gymnastics, tennis, spinning, hiking, yoga or any other activity.

� Pin it on Fido. If you have a dog, start taking more frequent walks. Eventually, you can make it a habit. Even an afternoon walk, when done over and over again for many months, can make a big difference. (And the dog will love you for giving it the exercise it craves.)

� Use positive reinforcement. A lot encouragement goes a long way. After engaging in exercise with your significant other, make compliment on the progress being made, increased energy levels, etc. Flattery can work wonders. You might even splurge on a new article of clothing, like a nice shirt, sexy underwear -- something that is not verboten now that there's a buff body ready to model.

� Give the gift of fitness. For a lot of people, the biggest exercise barrier is not knowing what to do. For a holiday, birthday or anniversary gift, book them a few sessions with a personal trainer. The trainer can show him the ropes and help create a plan tied to his goals.

Using these tips, you may be able to inspire your significant other to live a more active lifestyle. But, then again, you may not. While it's very difficult to try and change others, it's much easier to change ourselves. If your significant other wants to be sedentary, ask yourself if it's something you can learn to accept.