I first started lifting with my high school sweetheart when I was 16 years old. I was under the impression that I -
a) Wasn't, or couldn't be, athletic b) Would get too big if I lifted c) Would get made fun of in the gym because I didn't know what I was doing

I also didn't like my ex's instruction. I didn't have confidence that he knew what he was doing and I was afraid I would get hurt.

Flash forward 8 years - I've gotten into bodybuilding and more recently, power lifting.

Empower her to learn what she wants to learn. Expose her to women in fitness and help her find a form she wants to achieve. If she's interested, help her connect with a coach. It's cool to get fit with your boyfriend, but ultimately you have to have the motivation while remaining independent of your partner.

It doesn't matter how much I love my boyfriend - I'm not going to get up at 6 am to do cardio for him. I won't eat a clean diet for him. I won't hit the gym 6 days a week to weight train for him. I do it for me.