Having Trouble Sticking To A Fitness Program? Need Some Motivation?

Everyone needs to get a push one way or another when facing a fitness program.  The thing is that your fitness program has to fit you, and you alone.  Someone else’s motivation is not going to get you going. It just does not work that way!

Ways to Find the Motivation:

• Be aware of the benefits. Are you looking to trim inches off your waist? You tried on those summer shorts and they don’t quite fit as comfortably as they did last time.  Are you looking to fit into a special dress? Those are the benefits. Some should have long range, and some short range goals.
• Do not be afraid of making yourself a list. Write down each and every benefit that you can think of. Some may even be silly, but the point is that the list will be there for you if get to the point where you want to slack off on your fitness program.
• Exercise with a friend. “Misery loves company” is a great saying, and sometimes you will feel miserable or your friend will, and you can both help each other out and encourage each other.  But remember.  Working out does not have to be torture.  Find exercises that you enjoy.  You can also appreciate the good feelings that after you exercise.  If exercising makes you miserable then you are not doing it right for you.  See a personal trainer for ideas on what could work better for you.
• Set a goal.  Don’t forget to write down that goal.  Until it is in writing, it is a wish. When you put it on paper, it becomes a goal and you can commit to it.
• Plan a reward for yourself when you reach that goal. You could reward yourself with a trip.  Being able to travel, or going to visit friends motivates some people. If that’s the case for you, take a picture off the Internet or out of your scrapbook and put that picture where you will see it every morning.  People love to reward themselves, and this may work well for you.  Having something to look forward to can keep you driving down your road to fitness.
• Always make exercising as pleasant as possible. If that takes a MP3 player to listen to books while walking, or playing your favorite music, then that’s what you should do. However, variety is the spice of life.  The more exercises, machines and equipment you include in your fitness program, the more benefits you will receive.  For example, using each of the different types of cardio equipment in the fitness center will keep the body guessing and avoid plateaus.  It will also help you avoid overtraining or simply keeps you from getting bored.
• Wear good shoes and the proper exercise clothing. If you need special shoes, please do not hesitate to invest in some. Your feet will thank you as the rest of your body will.
• Someone who is in the know may be telling you that you need to exercise, such as your Doctor or a loved one. Loved ones are a tremendous motivator at times, for your desire to spend your “old age” with them may have made you spring to action.
• It’s truly unfortunate, but you may know someone who has died recently because they were out of shape and such. Seeing yourself in that condition may just give you the motivation to begin a fitness program.
• Motivate yourself with your own “before and after” pictures. Once you begin to see changes in yourself, it becomes easier and easier to keep motivating yourself to keep up with your fitness program.

If you want to get fit, and more importantly stay fit, you and only you can pick the motivation tips that best fit you, and once you begin to exercise, you’ll be amply rewarded to stay motivated! Whether it’s the fact that you lost pounds on pounds, or can now go up a row of stairs without huffing and puffing, or can get into that jeans you wore in college, you can have it if you find what it takes to keep you on the right track and stick to your workout commitment.

About the Author:

Rod Watson is the founder and lead Certified Fitness Trainer for Road To Fitness.  Rod and wife,Becky are the owners of Anytime Fitness Franchises in Wichita, KS and Park City, KS.  Rod can help you take charge of your health and fitness level. Learn more by visiting http://road2fitness.net