This post focuses on how I can use Social Motivation and Social Ability (peer pressure and social support) in order to stick to my fitness plan. I’ll apply ideas from chapters six and seven of our book, Influencer, to my vital behaviors. My plan calls for me to do 50 pushups a day and an hour of aerobic exercise five days a week. How can I get others to help me stick to this plan?
 
First a warning: I’ve seen social support backfire. My wife and I ride a tandem bike—a bicycle built for two—and one year I bought her a heart-rate monitor for her birthday. My plan was for her to wear the chest strap and to mount the alarm on my handlebars—so I could see her heart rate at all times. This would let me know whenever she wasn’t working her hardest, so I could remind her to pedal. What can I say? It became an unseasonably chilly day, even though her birthday is in October. The heart-rate monitor was quickly returned.

Social Motivation: My wife, Kathy, is my best motivator and exercise partner. The snow is melting on the cross-country ski trails, so this week we switched to bicycles. It’s too muddy for off-road trails, but we’re doing hill climbs around Park City, Utah. It takes us an hour to get from our condo to the summit of the Glenwild Trail and back. This week we’ve made the round trip each day I’ve been in town.

As I think about it, I have several social motivators in addition to Kathy. This blog is an example. Committing to a fitness program in this public way is a powerful incentive. I don’t know who’s reading this post today, but I’m on the road meeting with people every week. Maybe I’ll meet with you, and you’ll say, “You don’t look like you’re sticking to your program.” That would hurt.

Another blog-related bit of social pressure comes from my colleagues at VitalSmarts. Brittney, Mary, and Joseph give me a lot of guidance on these postings, and they see me every week. How long could I get away with pulling a James Frey? I don’t need that kind of embarrassment.

Other social motivators: I’ve locked myself into a half marathon and some major hikes with my brother-in-law and some of my favorite nephews and nieces. These events begin in early June and continue throughout the summer. These close relatives will know if I’ve slacked off, and I don’t want that reputation.

Social Ability: What can I do to enlist social support and assistance? One of my favorite methods is Team in Training, a fundraising strategy developed by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This program links you with another person who has similar training goals. Maybe you’re preparing for a marathon or triathlon, or maybe you’re just trying to improve your overall fitness level. They find you a partner, and it works.

I also use groups of enthusiasts to find new places to play. For example, when we lived in Los Angeles in the 1980’s, we discovered that the Sierra Club sponsored hikes every day of the year. We signed up, and found places like Mount Baden Powell, the Arroyo Seco, and the Pacific Crest Trail. Even if you’re very familiar with an area or an activity, find a group of enthusiasts, and you’ll discover whole new dimensions.

Another strategy Kathy and I have used is to volunteer in a way that helps others as you help yourself. When we lived in Seattle, Kathy helped to organize a chapter of Inner City Outings. For 10 years we hiked, camped, or snow shoed every month with 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders from Madrona Elementary School. We’d have 4 to 5 leaders and 10 to 15 children. They counted on us, and we loved every second of it.

We’re new to Park City, and there is a lot to explore. We haven’t connected with any groups yet, but we will. My fitness plan will definitely benefit if I can sign up for a schedule of organized hikes or bike rides.