NoExcusesGym

  Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or a recovering couch potato, nothing can kill your motivation faster than monotony. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to spice up your routine so you can keep boredom at bay and enhance your results.

Try these tips to start recharging your workout today:

•  Gift Yourself a Gift: Instead of viewing exercise as an obligation, consider it an investment in—and a gift to—yourself. Along those lines, focus on the fact that your fitness regimen will give you more energy for friends and family in the long run. Imagine how healthy and independent you’ll be as you’ll age.

•  Go Back to the Future: For an instant motivation boost, think back and remember your best workouts. Recall the aspects of exercising, such as the challenge and the sense of satisfaction, that you enjoyed most.

•  Ease Back Into Exercise: If you’ve taken a break from fitness, returning at the same pace could undermine your efforts and put you at risk for injuries. Instead, try to start slowly, with less intensity, and increase the pace as your body adapts. Any injury can keep you back for a months.

•  Buddy Up: Friends who exercise at the same pace can keep each other motivated. So ask your friends to partner up with you—who knows, maybe your buddy’s routine has grown stale, too. An option is to join some group exercises classes. You’ll meet some new people with the same interest and an instructor will keep you motivated.

•  Achieve a Balance: One of the biggest fitness mistakes is either expecting an immediate payoff or looking too far ahead. While it’s beneficial to have long-term goals, try to focus on smaller mini-goals and be patient when it comes to seeing results. Keep a training journal so you can see improvements.

•  Reward Yourself: Once you reach your first set of mini-goals, be sure to reward yourself. Is it a new set of workout clothes? A luxurious massage? A body-hugging dress? Whatever it is, be sure it makes you happy.

•  Split It Up: If your entire workout routine seems daunting, divide your exercises into smaller, more manageable chunks. That way, it’s more likely that you’ll complete your activities. For example: You goal is to do 30 minutes cardio. You can do 10 minutes on a treadmill, 10 minutes on an elliptical and 10 minutes on a bicycle.

•  Enjoy the Little Things: Instead of concentrating on your exercise objectives, focus on the little things that make fitness worthwhile. Maybe it’s the way you feel after you’ve finished a workout, the extra three minutes you stayed on the treadmill, or the fact that your favorite suit fits better.

•  Reap the Benefits: If you find yourself losing motivation, stop and think about how your workout will yield specific health benefits, such as lowering your blood pressure and reducing your disease risk. Remember, a health is the most important thing.

•  Leave It to the Pros: If you’re having trouble getting back on track, it may be helpful to book a few sessions with a professional trainer. He or she can help you diversify your routine and take it to the next level.

•  Shop Around: When it comes to shopping for a gym, be a savvy consumer. Consider price, quality, and convenience, and be sure to visit a few facilities before you sign on the dotted line. Make sure that a gym is close to your home or work. You’ll not go there if you have to travel longer than 10 minutes.

•  Mix It Up: Changing up your routine is a great way to get out of a funk. Try a new class, like spinning or Pilates, or switch from the treadmill to the elliptical machine. In addition, consider a change of atmosphere—instead of doing laps at the gym, grab your hiking boots and hit the trails.

source: nubella

(by Marcela Vanharova)