Finding a fitness friend

January 7, 7:40 PMBaltimore Healthy Living ExaminerMila Lowery

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Many people who resolve to lose weight and get fit eventually lose steam and fall short of their goals. But having a buddy — someone to work out with and be accountable to  — increases your chances of success.

If your friends or loved ones are not supportive and you're  feeling alone in your journey to better health, take heart. You don't have to do this alone! Here are some suggestions on how to meet others with similar goals:

• Find a buddy at work. More workplaces are developing wellness programs because healthy employees mean lower medical insurance premiums. Many offices create weight-loss and fitness challenges, such as corporate "Biggest Loser" programs. If your place of employment doesn't offer anything, form your own informal group or simply ask a co-worker to join you for a walk at lunchtime.

• Make friends at the gym. Many health clubs offer extra programs you can get involved in to connect with other members. For example, the gym I belong to has a running group as well as a swim team. Also, if your club offers fitness classes, try them! Joining a class is a great way to feel less alone when working out.

• Join or start a Meetup group. Meetup.com is an amazing resource for finding others who share your interests. Members connect and plan events online, then meet up face-to-face. No matter what your hobbies are, you're likely to find a group of like-minded folks. A search for "fitness" near Baltimore turned up 36 groups.

• Get support online. A variety of weight-loss Web sites exist to help people track their calories and fitness minutes, find recipes, get help, and connect with others who are trying to lose weight and get fit. My favorite site (and the one I am a member of) is SparkPeople.com. I tell everyone I know about this free resource. I even suggested that Oprah try it out after she announced that she fell off the wagon and now weighs 200 pounds. Other sites to consider (though these are not free) include The Biggest Loser Club ($5/week), Jillian Michaels' Online Program ($5/week) and Weight Watchers Online ($16.95/month).

Losing weight and sticking with a fitness routine is not easy, and having a supportive friend makes a world of difference. But ultimately, it's up to YOU to do this for yourself. Good luck and best wishes on your journey.

What's on your mind? Leave a comment or send me an e-mail at healthylivingexaminer@gmail.com.