31 Jul Back to basics: motivational tips

Are you trying to snap out of a fitness rut? Or, simply get started on fitness regimen? It can be a hard, intimidating thing to try to follow a regular fitness plan.
Don’t make fitness harder than it has to be, though.
Here are six back-to-the-basics motivational tips to help you get fit and stay that way.
Have fun – If exercise isn’t fun, you’re not likely to do it. So pick things that you like to do to work into your exercise program, such as bike riding, going for hikes or swimming, or playing basketball. If there are certain strength training exercises you like better than others, than go ahead and do them. At the same time, don’t neglect certain body parts altogether just because you don’t like to exercise them.
Set goals – Setting short- and long-term goals are an excellent way to get you on track and stay that way.
Write it down – Keep a workout log of what you’ve done to help motivate you and chart your ups and downs.
Eat right – Eating healthy will help you feel better and have more energy.
Find a workout partner – If you can find a regular, reliable workout partner it could make a world of difference. A good workout partner can make the workouts more entertaining and also help to motivate you.
Upgrade your home gym – Adding some exercise equipment to your home gym such as strength training equipment, a vibration training machine, or a treadmill or elliptical machine might help you get more energized and have better workouts. Shop At Home Fitness for great ideas and deals on specialty fitness equipment.

The 3G Cardio AVT 3.0 Vibration Machine (MSRP $2,499, $1,999 AHF price) would be a good addition to any home gym and help make exercising more fun and efficient.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com