“I don’t want to go!” I thought to myself as I left work and remembered my gym bag in the front seat of my car. I had everything all ready to go– iPod, running shoes, outfit, all that was left was my motivation, which I seemed to have lost somewhere between 8-5.

But then I remembered– I have a Mayorship to win on FourSquare. An athletic, early 30s man and I had been battling the last few weeks for the Mayorship of the community center I use to work out. You become the Mayor of a business on Foursquare by basically being the one who “checks-in” there the most.

And sadly enough, the thought of becoming the Mayor of a gym– a place where I picture happy, athletic, toned people gladly working out every day– was motivation enough to get me to the gym that day. While I never regret going to the gym, I often mentally try to push myself in the opposite direction of it on my way there.

I am now not only the Mayor of my community center, but I also got the Foursquare “Gym Rat” badge for having over 10 check-ins at a gym in 30 days! And while I can’t proclaim that I now go to the gym every day Monday-Friday (let’s be honest here), I can say that I am definitely deserve of the Gym Rat badge I received. Accomplishing something, even though it is an online something, has helped me get into the habit of working out regularly, usually 3-4 days per week. I can say that I’ve managed to tone up and also reach the gym status where you and the others working out acknowledge each other.

So, for me, Foursquare Mayorship status and fellow Gym Rat acknowledgement may just be more important than the number on the scale.

Kelsey Jones

Kelsey Jones

Founder/Chief Marketing Consultant at Six Stories
Kelsey Jones helps clients around the world grow their social media, content, and search marketing presence. She enjoys writing and consuming all kinds of content, both in digital and tattered paperback form.
Kelsey Jones
Kelsey Jones