Top 10 Tips to Stay Motivated on your Exercise Program

By: Janice Elizabeth Small

1. Know your Reasons

Think about why you want to exercise and write down every reason
you can think of. Explain in full detail what working out is
going to do for your life and your health. And reread your list
whenever your motivation needs a boost.

2. Set Daily and Weekly Goals

Although it's good to think big, don't just set yourself a
long-term goal because it can seem too distant from where you
are now. If you have a daily or weekly challenge then you have
something to achieve and motivate you right here, right now.
Make sure your goals are just a little bit stretching - doing
too much too soon is a prime cause of injury and exercise
drop-out.

3. Track Your Progress

Keep a log of all your workouts. It's amazing how quickly your
fitness will improve and seeing your progress in black and white
will help spur you on to keep going. Even in the early days when
the going is tough and you might not have noticed any changes in
your body and fitness levels an activity log gives you something
to be proud of.

4. Plan to Succeed

You have to set aside time for working out and schedule it as if
it's an appointment that can't be missed. Block out the time in
your calendar and treat it like a doctor's appointment. Your
health depends on it just as much. 5. Do Something Daily

Once you've got an exercise program going it helps if you do
something active every day just so that you keep your mind
focused on your goals. You probably don't have time to fit in a
workout every day but any activity is fine - walking, dancing,
housework, gardening - just something that keeps your mind and
body in exercise mode.

6. Have a Plan B

The path towards fitness doesn't always run smoothly. Be
flexible if muscle strain or extra work pressure prevents you
from doing your usual routine. Try going to the gym before work
or plan a different activity which does not affect your injured
muscle to keep going when life gets in the way.

7. Don't Ask Whether Ask When

Consider working out as an important element of your life and
make it part of your routine. Don't even get into a conversation
with yourself about whether you'll exercise today, just make
plans and do it. No matter how much you don't feel like working
out, you'll be amazed how good you'll feel once you get going.

8. Find a Workout Buddy

Look for a workout partner with similar goals and level of
fitness to make exercise more enjoyable and add a little healthy
competition. Plus, you'll find it's harder to skip a workout if
someone is relying on you. If you don't have a friend who wants
to get fit, consider investing in a personal trainer to keep you
motivated.

9. Make it Fun

Prevent boredom by trying new activities and using a variety of
ways of working out. Just because it's fun doesn't mean you
won't get fit. How about trying salsa-dancing, scuba-diving,
skiing or roller-blading? Even something as simple a adding
intervals to your usual routine can give you a new level of
interest.

10. Believe You Can

You'll be healthier, fitter and change your whole body shape if
you stick at your exercise program. Change is possible for you
just as it has been for so many others before you who have
transformed themselves with exercise. Acknowledge that you can
experience those results for yourself just by keeping going with
your fitness program. You can do it, you really can!

Copyright 2006, Janice Elizabeth Small

About the author:
Janice Elizabeth is a weight loss coach, slimming club owner and
author of "The Diet Exit Plan". Her system promotes permanent
healthy and automatic weight loss through making small changes
to your everyday habits. Get her FREE 15 page report "How to
lose weight without dieting - 7 secrets the diet industry
doesn't want you to know" at http://www.SimplySlimming.com
TODAY!