DEAR Jasminda,

I have recently made a pact to go walking each day with a friend, but he’s now suggested we walk to a cafe where he then wants to drink coffee and eat cake before the return walk home.

I’m actually putting on weight.

Geoff N.

Dear Geoff,

It sounds to me like you and your mate have different exercise goals.

Actually Blind Freddy could have made that observation, so you don’t need me to point it out.

When you made your original pact, did you discuss why you wanted to walk each day?

He may think you just wanted to enjoy some time out for a chat and a snack instead of your desire to commence a fitness regime.

It’s important to set these parameters out early on to avoid confusion.

Otherwise you may find yourself exercising twice every day, once with your friend, and another time on your own to undo all the extra calories you put on with him.

Perhaps you can come to a compromise.

Let him know that you are actually walking to get a bit fitter and healthier, so the cafe stop can’t be an everyday option, but once a week you’d like to treat the good work with a beverage or two.

If he’s just not interested, you may need to find yourself a new exercise buddy, or just go solo and soon he’ll be seeing the results of your hard work and that could be enough to change his mind.

Carpe diem,
Jasminda.