Achieve Your Fitness Goals by Keeping Yourself Motivated

Wanting to exercise is a whole lot different than actually following through. You will need to have a lot of motivation to keep to a fitness program. If you have a hectic schedule, it may hinder you from exercising more often than you want. Doing the same fitness routine again and again can cause boredom, and this is the reason many people stop working out. You can prevent this by varying your workout. Today, you'll read about a few tips on how you can stay motivated -- motivated to start a workout program or motivated to stick to the one you're on right now.

After exercising, make a note of what you've done. While this might seem tedious, it'll only be in the beginning. Besides, keeping a record will give you an idea of how much progress you've made after a certain number of weeks or months. You can record your progress on a small notebook, on your smart phone, or on your computer. The important thing is you're recording what you've done whenever you exercise.

If you walk, jog, or run, jot down your speed and distance. For weights, you need to keep a record of how many pounds you lift, the reps, and sets you do. If you're a gym member, ask for forms you can complete while you use the weight machines.

Lack of time is one of the most common excuses people have for not working out. Many hesitate to start an exercise program because they don't think they'll be able to fit it in to their already busy schedule.

However, did you know that workout out for just 10 to 20 a day can do a lot? You can try to work out for 20 minutes if an hour at the gym isn't possible. You can do a lot in just 20 minutes, even less. Besides, who says you can't break down your workouts in shorter sessions? If you're unable to workout continuously for 30 minutes, for example, you can try working out for 10 minutes at a time. If you realize that you don't need to spend hours to exercise every day, you're more likely to stay motivated to keep working out.

Take advantage of the power of visualization when you work out. Have a concept in your mind of what you'll look like as a finished product. Try to see yourself at your ideal weight, or with the physique you've always wanted. You also need to keep reminding yourself how you'll benefit from working out on a regularly basis. Writing these down and having them in a place where you can easily see them is very useful. Here's another suggestion: every couple of weeks take a picture of yourself and then tape it on your bathroom mirror or fridge. Let that be your motivation to keep exercising because every couple of weeks, you can actually see yourself looking more and more fit.

Think over the things you've read and decide whether any of them will help get you off the couch and exercising for better health. After all, feeling the urge to exercise is not nearly as unique as actually getting off the couch and exercising. Very often, the hardest step is to get started and once your body starts moving around your energy level rises. goal setting and motivation