We are under exercised as a nation. We look instead of play. We ride instead of walk. Our existence deprives us of the minimum of physical activity essential for healthy living. ~ John F. Kennedy

Are you looking at December being your last month to be a slug, eat whatever you want and then get all charged up by the time January rolls around with your resolutions in hand? It’s easy to start off with great intentions, however, several weeks down the line when the new has worn off and the workout routines become more intense, it’s easy to forget the promises you made and throw your exercise programs out the window. Statistics show that nearly half of people give up on their exercise program within a month and another third within three months.

My goal is to not let you become a statistic. Start planning your strategy now and have several workout plans in place so that if perhaps your first plan gets boring or doesn’t seem as fun anymore, you can pull out Plan B. Here are some tips to helping you get motivated:

• Create a vision board– Gather some old magazines and cut out pictures, words or motivational quotes. Maybe even include a photo or two of yourself when you were at a healthier weight or even one when you had a flat stomach. Glue these items on a poster board or canvas and place it wherever you will see it every day. This is your vision board, so don’t let anyone else challenge your vision. When you can see yourself becoming physically fit, the likelihood of true life realization will be greater. You can do this for anything in your life that you’d like to achieve – physically, emotionally and spiritually.

• Determine specific exercise goals– What is it that you’re trying to achieve? Better flexibility? More endurance? More muscle tone or definition? Weight Loss? Maintaining a healthy weight? Speed up your metabolism? Once you determine your fitness goals, write them down and keep that on your vision board as well. Make sure your exercise goals are measurable – find a standard to compare your results. Be challenging, but realistic.

• Make exercise a choice– Don’t feel pressure or guilty if you miss a session. If you backslide, don’t stay down – get up off your back side and giddy up!

• Try the buddy system for a partner workout– Finding an exercise partner increases your chance of achieving your fitness goals. If you can’t find a friend to buddy up with, ask a staff member at your local health club, YMCA or community center if they can help find a compatible workout partner for you. Social contact helps to reduce stress levels in humans, so exercising in pairs or groups diminishes the potential negative effects of the production of stress hormones.

• Mix it up– Don’t get sucked into a rut with the same exercise program day in and day out. Try something new every few days and you’ll find out you’re working different muscles when you switch gears.

• Reward yourself– When you achieve your fitness goals, whether short-term goals or long-term goals, do something nice for yourself. Maybe you’re now able to fit into something you’ve been eying in a magazine.

Just knowing you are doing something healthy for yourself will give you a glow that will be undeniable to others. When you feel good, you naturally look good! Everything you need for weight loss tips and free workout tips is available on my site. I want you to succeed and become a healthier you – not just so you can look better, but so you can achieve the life purposes you were destined for. So…what are you waiting for? Let’s get it started!*

*No, I’m not getting a kick back from the Black Eyed Peas (if you remember last week’s blog)… just happened to work out this way   Plus, it’s great workout music! Enjoy!

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