Practical Advice About Fitness Goals

One of the biggest challenges during the holidays and the winter months is keeping fitness goals and being disciplined about exercise. Here are some keys to keeping those goals.

Regarding goals, remember to set reasonable, realistic goals and not goals so lofty you get frustrated and lose interest! Your goals will completely depend on your situation. And remember, do not compare yourself to other people! Comparisons do not work. That person who is in tip-top physical shape may have been working out regularly for years!! As the great John Wooden states, success is simply doing your best. It is not the results or lack of results from your exercise!

An example of a reasonable goal is working out 3-4 times per week; or perhaps lowering your haf-mile or mile time by 25%. Perhaps you want to increase the weights you are lifting by 10% in the next two months. Set realistic goals that motivate you to work out- not goals so high you quit! And do not feel guilty if you miss one workout! Enjoy your days off.

Next, have fun! Make your exercise routine something that you really look forward to. Get organized and have everything ready to go before your workout (clothes, ipod, water, etc.) Create a workout music section on your ipod or MP3 player- music is one of the keys to enjoying your workout and keeping it fast-paced and energetic. Your favorite music will help you look forward to your workout and enjoy it. Also, treat yourself to a nice reward after your workout- your favorite snack!

Work out at the location that works best for you. It is advisable and recommended to join a club that has the facilities that you want and need. It is well worth the cost. Yes, you can certainly get a good workout without being in a club, but the club is really the best bet for regular workouts and staying on schedule.

Vary your workout routine. Do not do the same thing every workout. Look up new exercise routines on the internet or even consider getting a personal training session to learn new techniques.

If you work out better in a group/class situation, consider working out one day a week on your own- or vice-versa. If you work out alone, try a class once a week. If you usually work out inside, try an outdoor workout like a strenuous hike or jog on a beautiful day. There are many hiking groups in most cities who do serious hikes which can substitute for a workout and add variety to your routine.

Find the days and the times you want to work out- and work out then!!! If you would rather work out after work at about 5:30, do that. If you are a morning person and want to work out at 6 AM, do that. Do not let a friend talk you into working out with him/her in the morning if you would rather work out by yourself at 6 PM!!! Make it enjoyable and something that you look forward to and want to do.