Staying motivated for your workouts all year long can be a real challenge.
At some time or another, everyone falls into "workout burnout."
The key is to determine what are important or salient motivators for YOU.
The health benefits -- including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, colon cancer and all-cause mortality, as well as increased energy, improved fitness and better quality of life -- can be a huge motivator.
Ways to keep yourself on the workout path:
At some time or another, everyone falls into "workout burnout."
The key is to determine what are important or salient motivators for YOU.
The health benefits -- including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, colon cancer and all-cause mortality, as well as increased energy, improved fitness and better quality of life -- can be a huge motivator.
Ways to keep yourself on the workout path:
- Make it convenient; exercise at home to fitness DVDs if you don’t have time to drive to the gym.
- Treat yourself to something that is compatible with your health and fitness goals (e.g., not a piece of chocolate cake, but something else you enjoy, like a movie, flowers or new exercise clothing).
- Have fun. Find an activity that you enjoy and will stick with, along with an environment that is supportive, safe and comfortable for you.
Grace DeSimone is the Editor for ACSMs Resource Manual for Group Exercise Instructors (LWW 2011). She has been in the fitness industry for over 30 years and brings a variety of experiences in commercial, corporate and community settings. She serves as the National Director of Group Exercise for Plus One Health Management, and teaches group exercise classes and Anti-Aging workouts at Ethos Fitness Spa for Women in Midland Park NJ.