Sticking to an Exercise Plan (Part Two)

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6. Get on a “professionally-designed” - long-term program. The sooner you start seeing results, the more you'll want to keep training to continue them. Aimlessly hopping from workout to workout, or even worse, from machine to machine will only waste your time. Talk with a personal trainer who can customize a program that’s right for you and keep you constantly motivated.

7. Join an exercise class. The camaraderie you develop with your “classmates” should be enough to keep you coming back. Go with your spouse and tell each other how you are coming along. This will properly motivate both of you!

8. Keep a workout log. Recording your progress from session to session (or lack thereof) will show you what you're doing right and what you're doing wrong. There's also a great feeling of satisfaction that comes from watching the amount of poundage you lift increase with each passing week.

9. Buy an iPod or portable CD player that you can take to the gym. Associating your workouts with fun music or “escapism” will make you not want to miss them.

10. Put a picture of your family or loved ones in your gym bag (especially your grandkids!). It will remind you of who you want continue to be healthy for…(although some say putting a picture of your competition or enemies is even greater motivation to be the best you can be!).

Sticking to an Exercise Plan (Part One)

OK, so you’ve started your program but need a little extra help staying motivated?

Here are a few tips:

1. Get an exercise buddy. They will help keep you motivated…and so will the guilt of standing them up. Even better, get your kids or even grandkids to come to the gym with you. You will get to have some “family time” and by simply trying to keep up with someone younger you will push yourself a little more.

2. Make a bet with a friend (or enemy). Placing a money wager that you will hit your goal by a certain date makes every workout count. It also puts your honor on the line!

3. Tell everyone you know about your fitness goals. That way, you will have that many more people to answer to. It will be hard to live it down if every person in your community knows you failed.

4. Buy yourself new exercise clothes, sneakers or a workout bag. Not wanting new and/or expensive equipment to go to waste will make you more apt to get off the couch and use it.

5. Go to the Gold’s Gym in your community. By seeing the Gold’s Gym regularly when you drive by you will eventually be drawn (or guilted!) in there to train.  If you workout with your spouse it will be at least a little harder to have both of you come up with a valid excuse why not to go – especially when it is SO convenient.

Stay tuned for the rest of our tips!