Rewards
Every goal achieved deserves a reward! But make sure your rewards are not food-related. Instead, give yourself nice treats that inspire and encourage you in your new, healthy lifestyle. For your short term goals, reward yourself with things like a new music download purchase, or a half-hour bubble bath. When you’ve achieved your long term goal, go crazy with yourself! Have a day at the spa, buy a new pair of shoes or purchase a new bikini to show off your new bod!
Managing or Overcoming Set-Backs
Let’s Face, it – life happens. Whether your kids get sick, you have to work late or your car breaks down, things happen that keep you from working out. Don’t think you’re the only person faced with setbacks or obstacles, even Olympic Champions have plenty of their own fair share of hurdles to jump over. The trick is to get right back on track into it as soon as you can without giving up or getting discouraged. Remember to make fitness a priority and schedule time to work out every day. Remind yourself of your intentions, and get back into the swing of things immediately to minimize progress setbacks.
The same goes for food: everyone at one time or another falls off the diet bandwagon. It’s actually pretty easy to do, especially around the holidays or big get-togethers like birthdays or anniversaries. The key here is to plan ahead for predictable wobbles in your eating. Do a little extra exercise the week before a holiday, or eat a full meal before going to a party so you’re not starving when you get there. And remember: if you do overindulge, it’s not the end of the world. One overboard meal is not going to ruin all your hard work. You have control over your destiny! Get right back onto your program the next day and move forward.
Maintaining Momentum
Even the most dedicated exercisers get bored once in a while. Here are some tips on staying motivated with your new lifestyle:
- Buddy up. One of the best ways to stick to a program is to get a workout buddy who makes you accountable. Let’s face it: you’re more likely to get up early to go to the park knowing your buddy is waiting there for you to work out. Enlist a friend, family member, or loved one to train with you, and show them how great it is to feel fit and healthy!
- Keep learning. Subscribe to a health or fitness magazine for new exercise ideas, healthy recipes and workout tips, or read up online about activities and healthy subjects that interest you, such as healthy cooking, bicycle racing, or great active vacations.
- Join a gym. There are tons of fitness centers in your area, and many of them have free trial memberships. Check out a few nearby and see if one might fit your schedule, personality and lifestyle. Ask if the club has any discount promotions coming up to get the best deal possible.
- Join a group. Nearly every community has free clubs, leagues or groups that get together and walk, hike, bike, run or dance. Check with your local parks and recreation center or look in your local paper to see who is active in your area. And if there isn’t an existing group, start one yourself!
- Pay it forward. Nothing is more rewarding than sharing your knowledge and positive exercise experience with others. Speak at your kids’ school about the importance of healthy living, or start your own workout group to help others achieve what you have and impart what you now know in a positive way.
Your Future is Bright!
We sincerely hope you continue to better yourselves physically and mentally, and through exercise find ways to empower yourself and improve your life for years to come!
