07 Jan New year, new you: 5 tips to improve motivation

Editor’s note: This is the third in a five-part series on tips to get more fit in 2013. Today, here are five tips to improve motivation.

Gyms across the country are filled with extra people who are all excited about their New Year’s Resolutions to get fit.
The regulars at gyms know by as early as mid-January or February many of those people will seldom be seen working out again.
Statistics show that around two-thirds of people in the U.S. make a New Year’s Resolution and vowing to get fit is always one of the most common.
Unfortunately, statistics also show that less than 20 percent of people will actually keep their resolutions and some studies have found as few as 5 percent of keep them.
The biggest reason most people aren’t able to follow through on their fitness resolutions is motivation – more specifically a lack of it.
For many, the hardest part of getting fit is just getting started.
In lots of other instances, the problem lies in finding motivation once they’re at the gym and staying disciplined enough to keep going back. Even sometimes longtime gym-goers get into an exercise rut they have trouble climbing out of.
No matter where you’re at on the exercise curve, if you need a little extra help to get moving here are five tips to help you find more motivated:
1. Make it fun – Find ways to make exercise more fun. If there’s a sport you like, such as basketball, soccer, slowpitch softball, golf or swimming, find opportunities to do that to get a lot of your exercise. If you like something, you’ll keep doing it. When you go to the gym, think of that exercise as a way to help you perform better in the sport you like.
Some people just like to walk, jog or bike ride and that’s OK, too. Schedule time to make those big parts of your exercise program.
2. Write down your goals – Saying your goals out loud isn’t enough. Writing them down will help you reinforce them and be there for you to look at regularly.
3. Chart your progress – Keep track of your workouts to help serve as a motivator and also chart your progress. Writing down an exercise log can also help you have better direction and makes it easier to tweak your workout program.
4. Schedule time to work out – Don’t leave fitting in workouts to chance, or chances are they won’t happen. You fit everybody’s else’s demands into your schedule, well make time at least three days a week to get in good workouts yourself.
5. Visualize – Form a picture in your mind of how you want to look and what type of fitness things you want to be able to do. This can have a great effect on you to actually realize that mental picture.

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. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com