For the first time, ever, my husband and I are both trying to lose weight, and I am amazed at how much easier it is to eat healthfully and find time for a workout when I have a partner in crime. I knew having a workout buddy was helpful -- I take full advantage any time one of my friends goes on a fitness kick -- but having the person with whom you live share your goals? It's phenomenal.

Of course, that's not always possible -- sometimes, you have to seek out a workout partner. And, if you're in the process of looking for a new one, Go Healthy Go Fit has three tips for finding the right one.

For one thing, look for someone with a similar schedule -- I've gotten some great midday workouts in with a friend who also works from home. Then, make sure you have the same goals, whether those goals are weight loss, running faster or gaining muscle. Finally, make sure you're both equally dedicated -- it's no fun if one of you is constantly forcing the other one to work out!

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Sometimes I think I just can't do this anymore. I can't run one more mile, take one more step. I feel like my legs are made of stone and my feet hurt so much they might explode out of my running shoes.

This normally happens towards the end of a run, when I know I have more miles to go and am no longer comfortable running. I've never been a competitive runner, so for me, to feel comfortable when I run is key.

But not always. Sometimes I hide in my comfort and forget to challenge myself. I enjoy a challenge almost as much as I enjoy comfort. Yet there are times when the challenge seems overwhelming. I can't make it up the hill, or around the park one last lap.

Then I start to think about all the other people in the park. Some of them are going through the same thing--struggling just to make it a few more yards. I start to think about the people who can't even make it to the park, those who can't run or literally can't take another step.

I think about an inspiring picture I took from last year's NYC marathon of a man hauling it down 4th Avenue in Brooklyn who had no limbs. He was kicking butt and having the time of his life. And he was working very, very hard. He'd worked so hard just to get to the marathon--I can't even imagine what it must have been like the first time he got on one of those machines and got going just using his arms.

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