Fitness Motivation To Stay On Track

Whether you haven’t worked out in years or are just getting back in the swing of exercising after a vacation, fitness can sometimes be challenging to stay on track with — especially when you haven’t exercised in a while. With hectic schedules, it can be very easy to miss a day at the gym or your favorite pilates class. What can be even more frustrating is having friends that never miss a workout and are always raving about them. The good news is that everyone can become just as motivated as your friend who can’t seem to stop smiling about being fit. Here are some tips that will get you smiling before and after your workouts.

• Rise and shine! Wake up earlier in the morning. Get your workout gear out the night before and wake-up 30 minutes earlier in the morning to get your workout in. When the alarm goes off, turn a lamp on so that you’ll wake-up faster. People who workout first thing in the morning are much more likely to stick with their fitness routine than those who choose to workout after work or school. When you exercise first thing in the morning, you don’t have to worry about an unexpected event getting in the way of your workout in the evening.

• Find your niche. Maybe you didn’t enjoy Crossfit or your last spin class, but that does not mean that you are going to dislike every form of fitness you try. Fitness is for you, you just need to find a style of exercise that works for you. Continue to try different forms of exercise until you find something you really enjoy. It’s even better if you can find multiple styles of exercises you enjoy. This can help you to beat exercise boredom!

• Workout with a personal trainer. If you are a newcomer to fitness or just need a little more motivation to stick with your workouts, enlist the help of a personal trainer. A personal trainer can help you to set goals and develop a plan to help make your fitness goals a reality. If you think you cannot afford a personal trainer, it may be helpful to have just a few sessions with a trainer. They can help to guide you in the right direction, motivate you and hold you accountable. Trainers provide great positive reinforcement and they are there when you need them.

• Make exercise convenient for you. Your workouts do not have to occur at the gym. If you don’t have time to drive to the gym or your don’t live close to a gym, hold your workouts in a setting that works for you. Enjoy yoga in the comforts of your living room or pop in a cardio DVD to get your heart rate up. Take a walk at the local park or jog around your neighborhood. Fitness is very flexible and can work in many different settings. If you are really short on time, take a 30 minute walk on your lunch break and do some stretching at your desk.

• Pay for fitness. While fitness does not have to cost you a thing, paying for your fitness can sometimes make you more accountable for actually sticking with your exercise program. If you invest money in your workout routine, you are likely to work a lot harder to get your money’s worth. Join a gym or splurge on a package of barre or kickboxing classes. You could also bribe yourself to workout with a new pair of sneakers or a fitness tracker.

• Share your fitness with your friends and family. For some, the feel-good effects of working out are enough to move them from one day of exercise to the next. Others, may need a little something more tangible to motivate them. If you are a numbers and statistics person, fitness apps and trackers may be for you. Technology helps you to challenge your friends, family and even yourself. Many fitness apps have technology that allow you to post your accomplishments to social media. If you just ran 5 miles and are proud, feel free to post it to your Facebook wall.

• Never over-do-it. Overuse injuries are one of the most common types of injuries that occur as the result of working out. Too much too quickly can lead to aches and pains. These aches and pains may cause you to not want to workout anymore. It is important to remember that mild soreness is typical, especially when you just start working out. However, doing too much too soon can lead to injuries that can sideline you. Take things slow and enjoy your fitness journey. You can’t achieve your fitness goals if you are busy nursing an injury.

Fitness can be a challenge at first. Committing to a new workout routine is not always easy. The key to becoming an exercise addict is to love what you do and remember that your body is going to love you for it.

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