Laura Werbner (Host): Hello and welcome to another episode of Your Compass podcast exclusively for San Juan Regional Medical Center caregivers. I'm Marketing Manager Laura Werbner, and I'm here today with our very special guest. We have Risk Manager and Claims Paralegal, Ginny Atchley.

Ginny Atchley: Hi there.

Host: Hi Ginny. Thank you for joining us.

Ginny Atchley: You're welcome.

Host: So today Ginny is going to be talking about the importance of having an accountability partner when it comes to sticking to your goals. And this topic came up because I kept seeing all these fun social media posts that Ginny and her best friend Vanessa Glass, a former SJRMC leader uh, were posting about going to the gym together and they'd make it seem like so much fun.

So, Ginny, how did all this get started with you and Vanessa?

Ginny Atchley: Uh, actually it was probably a little over a year ago because I had been working out on my own at home with my Peloton and all that. But it just wasn't the same. So she invited me to the gym one day and really pushed me and trust me, there was some choice words said to her during my first, like, couple months there.

But, um, it just became, uh, routine and it was a great way to deal with any, uh, stress, uh, uh, mental release on anything. So we just kind of developed this pattern over the last year to where it became more regular, seeing the goals that we're both achieving and motivating each other.

Host: That's wonderful. So how often are you all going to the gym together?

Ginny Atchley: Um, actually probably four to five days a week. So it's, it's pretty regular. Usually Fridays are our rest days, so yeah.

Host: Does it help to set a schedule to get you there?

Ginny Atchley: Yeah, and with me going after work is perfect timing and for her, it worked for her too as well. So it was just, um, it just worked out really well, you know, also to kind of end the day with it and then go home. I sleep so well when I work out. My sleep is excellent.

Host: That's amazing. There sounds like there's definitely a lot of benefits.

Ginny Atchley: Yes.

Host: Um, but especially a benefit about having an accountability partner. So you say you push each other. How has that made a difference?

Ginny Atchley: Uh, actually it's just, um I guess you gotta be in it to understand it, but you also can't be someone that can't take someone telling you to do a little harder. And that's the thing is with, with my bestie, she was doing this a lot longer than me, so she's a lot stronger than me. So she's gotten me to where I've achieved so many goals. So I would say I am more the motivat. She's more the motivator with me on the strength. I'm more the motivator with her on core and cardio.

Host: That's great.

Ginny Atchley: So balance each other out.

Host: You balance each other out. What are some of the goals you've achieved?

Ginny Atchley: Oh God. Just with my leg presses. Um. I'm up to like pressing now, like 300 and something pounds. I mean, yeah. So just my weights have increased. and it's interesting because I always thought cardio was the way to like keep fit. It's not, it's strength. Strength does so much with helping your body change. Um, so I think that was really important to understand the different dynamics behind truly working out and not just like running on a treadmill.

Host: I, I hear that a lot and I need to try some of that. No, it's strength training. Absolutely.

Ginny Atchley: Yep.

Host: That's really cool. And you say, so a lot of stress benefits, better sleep. What are some of the benefits you're seeing from everything you're doing?

Ginny Atchley: Oh, just, um, again, just seeing how my body's changing for the better. And honestly, if when I don't work out or I miss a day or two, my sleep is not as hard. I mean, I sleep really well. I'm just so relaxed when I get home. Um, and then just, uh, paying attention to what you eat. Things like that. So it, it's just all those things that balance throughout your life, everyday things. So that's how I see it.

Host: Nice. Wonderful. Now you guys also make videos when you go to the gym.

Ginny Atchley: I'll blame her for that one.

Host: Tell tell me about your videos, 'cause we just talked about this. I enjoyed leg day. It's always fun. And you always seem to have some choice words.

Ginny Atchley: Oh yeah.

Host: On leg day.

Ginny Atchley: Yes, I do have choice words and we just make it fun. And I'm actually like the bouncy one out of the two. Um, so it's kind of interesting because, uh, I just try to make it, I mean, that's my personality. It's just. It's fun. It's, we kid around, I pretend I get mad at her when I'm really not, because when I'm seeing the results I just wanna give her a big hug for all that. So yeah, it's, it's, yeah, we, we have fun with the videos.

Host: That's great. Well, it seems like you've really made, um, working out something that's enjoyable

Ginny Atchley: Yes.

Host: And, and fun to do together.

Ginny Atchley: Yes. And I really, I mean, I've talked to like people I know about. You know, when they ask me how often do I go to the gym, just like friends and stuff and they'll try it. I don't know how else to motivate people other than say, you've gotta try it. I do think having a partner, makes it a lot easier for consistency. Yeah. Um, because you motivate each other in whatever ways that, uh, transforms. So, uh, that's, I think that's real important. But I've been like this for many years, so, you know, but this is the first time I've actually worked out in a gym. I always did stuff at home or a mountain biked or hiked and stuff like that. So this is actually, this last year has been totally gym oriented, which has been fun.

Host: That's awesome. And it's, it's fun to see, to see your journey. I, I appreciate that you share it. And just lastly, what advice would you have for others who might be thinking about starting some kind of new exercise routine, but need a little push?

Ginny Atchley: Um, I would just say take it slow. Uh, start out with small goals. Even if it's walking on the treadmill. Walk on the treadmill, you know, 15, 20 minutes. And I actually have a friend that I just started telling her that walk, walk on the treadmill. 'cause she works from home. 10, 15 minutes. When you have a break, slowly start building that up, and then you start incorporating other things.

Whether you do some weight training, you don't necessarily have to go to the gym. You can go outside and take a walk. Um, you know, it's, it's what's available to you and also to what your, uh, your work schedule is your, how you have to balance that. So I think I just say take it slow, and as you start seeing results, I think that's when people really start getting motivated because then that's like, wow, I did this for a reason and it makes me feel better.

Host: That's amazing. And find a friend.

Ginny Atchley: Yes, exactly. Exactly.

Host: Well, thank you for joining us today. You are an inspiration and it's always just fun to see what you guys are doing. Um, I hope the next leg day is amazing.

Ginny Atchley: I appreciate it. Thank you, Laura.

Host: And thank you. This has been another episode of Compass Podcast.