There are so many physical and mental benefits associated with getting the recommended amount of physical activity. But all of life’s demands can easily get in the way of reaching your fitness goals. Working with your spouse or partner is one way to help you stay accountable to your physical fitness goals and can increase your motivation to push yourself during exercise. Join the #GotMySix challenge with your spouse or partner and see how much of an impact support can have on your total fitness.
How to get started
- Set SMART physical fitness goals. Start out on the same page by first acknowledging what each of you would like to achieve.
- Set expectations with each other. Make sure you understand how each of you would like to be held accountable and motivated.
- Plan exercise sessions together. Make sure these sessions align with your goals and theirs, and schedule them as appointments on your calendar.
- Assess your progress. Every month, take a look at what you’ve accomplished together and where you might want to make some adjustments.
While the above might sound simple, military life brings unique challenges that can restrict your ability to exercise with your spouse or partner. Training, deployments, and frequent schedule changes make it difficult to get into an exercise routine with each other. But this doesn't mean you can’t realize the benefits of joining with your spouse or partner to support your physical fitness. Try the tactics below to overcome these challenges.
- Share your progress with each other. Use fitness apps or trackers and share the results with your partner. Challenge and encourage each other to increase exercise intensity or to take active recovery days when needed.
- Talk about physical fitness together. Set aside time to talk about your day’s fitness activities and celebrate each other’s achievements. Communicate with your partner if you’re struggling to meet your targets, and come up with solutions so they can help you get back on track.
- Schedule video exercise sessions together. Set an appointment on a shared calendar to “meet.” Even though you may be on separate continents, you can still exercise “together.”
No matter how close or far apart you live right now, your spouse having “your six”—and you having theirs—can help you both reach your physical fitness goals. Tag your spouse or partner on social media to thank them for their support and include #GotMySix.