10 Tips to Keep your New Years Fitness Resolution on track

As the Christmas shopping season rapidly comes to a close, Gyms and Personal trainers are bracing for the inevitable onslaught of people with a new interest in exercise programs.

While monthly enrolments at gyms more than double during January- March; for many, that enthusiasm is short lived with 30-50% of people abandoning their new found workout regime by this time next year.

Before you get discouraged, here are a number of suggestions that will prepare for success in your new found commitment to exercise:

• Set Goals, and make them meaningful
• Do not focus on your desired outcome (i.e.: losing 20 lbs) people become too easily discouraged when the changes are not immediate.
• Focus on the process of what it will take to get to your desired outcome (i.e.: 30 minutes of Cardio/day)
• Workout with your spouse - Research indicates that couples who workout together remain committed to their program much longer than singles.

• Schedule your workouts - One of the main barriers to exercise success is time...although time is precious, so is your health. Clear some time in your busy schedule and give yourself a break.
• Select activities you enjoy - Choose activities that you are interested in... not everyone needs to lift weights or run a marathon.
• Put it in writing - while not everyone needs a computer program like www.fitnesssoftware.com to track their exercise, documenting your workouts provides motivation...write a contract with your workout partner!
• Set achievable performance goals - one of the main factors shared by successful athletes is their ability to achieve a mastery over their skill and build on that to push their limits...Your first mile will begin with one step.
• As you master your activity, increase the difficulty level to keep it challenging.
• Workout in a convenient location - look for facilities that are close to your home or place of work as it will save you time and hassle.

Start slowly.... it is important to build up your program and if starting a new program, do so with consent of your Doctor.