Fitness Tips: How to Stay on Track

It happens to all of us - a few days into our new year's resolution of sticking to a health and fitness regimen, and already the initial enthusiasm is beginning to wilt. That is the first sign of losing the motivation to keep exercising, becoming less focused, until finally we get back into our old habits. In most cases, this means stopping exercising and reverting to eating unhealthily. Of course, it goes without saying that this flagging of motivation must be overcome in order to accomplish ones long-term fitness goals.

So, if you're feeling those first twinges of your enthusiasm diminishing, here are a few tips to get your focus back and stay on track.

• Get your New Year calendar out. One of the best ways to stick to a schedule is making an appointment and keeping it. You can do the same with your fitness schedule. Mark out the days on which you plan to exercise, and jot down the target time you will be accomplishing it in. And keep this calendar in a visible place.
• One of the next things you need to do is some soul searching. Ask yourself why you are actually exercising. Is there an upcoming event you want to look good for? Or is it because your boyfriend feels you need to get into shape? If it's any of these, they are just not good enough reasons for staying on track. Exercise for yourself - because you want to add flexibility and muscle tone, become stronger, have more energy, experience that sense of feeling great, and of course to lose weight and look good.
• Make the time for your exercise routine. One of the main excuses people make for going off track is not finding the time. If you make your health and fitness a priority, you will find the time to do it.
• Setting goals is another great way to stay focused. The trouble with goals however is that they seem too far into the future, and hence soon lose their significance. One of the best ways to overcome this roadblock to staying on track is to make both short-term as well as long-term goals. The short-term goals should include things that can be achieved in 3-6 weeks, while your long-term goal could be what you plan to achieve in a year. Ensure that the goals you make are achievable so that you are not discouraged, but challenging enough to make you want to wear on your gym shoes or running shoes every day.
• Make sure that your workout is intense enough so that endorphins are released. One of the best motivators is that upbeat feeling of well-being that endorphins give you. Of course, you will need to consult your doctor about the optimum level of exercises suitable for you, your level of fitness, and your body type.
• Select a type of exercise that you are likely to continue doing over a long period of time. Something that you love doing and will be enthusiastic about each day. Some like the competition of sports to keep them motivated, others prefer something simple and uncomplicated, like walking for instance, to keep them motivated.
• Think of your exercise as a gift you are giving yourself. Make the time you spend doing it special - a time when you can be alone with yourself and your thoughts. A time when you can bring back focus and balance within yourself.