I've always valued independence and self-motivation. But there are times in life where it's okay to lean on others. For me, fitness is one of those areas where having others by my side can really make a difference.

I was not a very active kid, but I loved being outside. I quit both ballet and ice-skating after two years. In middle school, I considered joining the volleyball team, but chickened out when I saw everyone running during try-outs. Everything changed when I joined swim team in high school. It was fun to participate in a school sport and hang out at practices and swim meets with my friends. My participating in swim team led me to my first job: lifeguarding. I worked at the YMCA and had access to a free gym membership and a pool every day.

But after I stopped lifeguarding and started working in "professional" positions, my motivation to exercise really declined. In 2014, some friends and I decided to participate in the runDisney Princess Half Marathon, and so we started running. We signed up for fun runs and 5k events to train. This was really helpful for me, as my friends and I were holding each other accountable for working out and eating right. The weight I gained during college was turning into muscle and I had more endurance for running than I had ever had before.

Paige Ryan

Having my friends around me made me more successful. My boyfriend and I would go for runs together around campus or on a greenway near his apartment. We also participated in free HIIT workouts with a local Herbalife club and that helped me build strength and endurance. I roped eight different friends into running events with me and visited seven cities for races. But then my boyfriend and I ran in a half marathon that we did not train for. We didn't have dinner before the race and my left arm lost all feeling during the run. This was a time in my life that I had stopped taking care of myself. Weight gain can be so gradual and I didn't realize how much my body had changed.

Paige Ryan

I ran one last 5k at the end of 2016, and a knee dislocation in early 2017 really stopped me in my tracks. Once my knee was strong enough to start exercising again, I realized I needed to make a change. My boyfriend had also stopped running and started going to the gym three or more times a week with his friend to lift weights. We didn't work out together as we had used to. One of my best friends and I started going to the YMCA together and that helped hold me accountable. It was easier to commit to going to the gym when it was social time with my friend. If I knew she was waiting on me, I was less likely to cancel.

Paige Ryan

After a while, we stopped meeting up to exercise. We both became busy with our jobs and other obligations. I was really struggling at the beginning of 2018. My boyfriend had his friend to go to the gym with, but even if he was at the gym, I didn't have the motivation to get up and go myself. And when I did go, I felt that I didn't do the right workouts that really made an impact.

In July, I saw a promotion online for a free month of Camp Gladiator. CG offers workouts in various locations around the city. CG looked similar to the HIIT workouts that I had done years ago with the Herbalife club, which had been really successful for me, so I decided to give it a shot. It was just what I needed. At CG, I have accountability, community, and training. It has a made a huge difference and I actually look forward to going to work out. I started off with 1 - 2 workouts a week and am building up to 2 - 4. Getting my health back on track has had many beneficial impacts on my life.

2016 versus 2018Paige Ryan

I truly believe that having a community of people surrounding you can help you take care of your health. For me, exercising is easier when it's a social thing: whether that's to spend time with friends or to be part of a team. While it can be done on your own, having people there with you going after the same goals can make a world of difference. If you're struggling to maintain fitness, I recommend finding a way that keeps you accountable; whether that's a fitness diary, an app, or a buddy. There are a lot of apps right now that let you compete with friends. There is no denying that both physical activity and social support have a positive impact on a person's overall well-being!

If you are interested in checking out Camp Gladiator, they are offering a deal for their 10-year anniversary.