Stick to Your Fitness Plan
Everyone has occasional trouble making it to the gym. Follow these 34 tips to stay motivated.
by Ben Kallen
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Remember the Benefits
11. I think about how much better I'll feel when
I'm finished with a workout. Also, I keep in mind that workouts don't
have to be all-or-nothing—when I don't feel like exercising I can
decrease the workout intensity, because it's better to do some form of
exercise than nothing at all.
—Jeff Rutstein, personal trainer in Boston, Mass.
12. I stay motivated by going to my favorite retailer
and trying on the latest styles, one size smaller. I make a mental note to be
able to fit into the smaller-waist pants and properly fill out the shirts.
—Dan Trofinoff, reader
13. On days when I feel flat, I wear sweats, lower
the weight, and just try to work up a sweat. At the end of the workout I feel
great, my endorphins are high, and my batteries are recharged.
—Dennis Dewane, personal trainer and trainers' supervisor in Syracuse,
NY
14. My family history includes quite a bit of
hypertension and cancer, and I want to stay as healthy and functional as possible
for as long as possible.
—Tim Rochford, personal trainer and
kickboxing/fitness instructor in Sandwich, IL
15. I dream about bumping into my ex the next
time we're at the beach, and can't wait to see the expression on her
face. It'll be nice seeing her drool.
—Andrew Owings, reader
16. At my heaviest I weighed 260 pounds and I
was miserable, but I have since lost 100 pounds. A great way for me to stay
motivated is to carry a picture of myself at my heaviest weight in my wallet.
If at any time I get the urge to eat unhealthy food or skip a workout, I just
look at the picture, and immediately I change my mind.
—Ryan Penney, reader
17. Seeing younger men who look years older than
me is a great motivator.
—Joseph A. Brozowski, reader
18. I believe that muscles are the badges of the
soul. And the physically fit get to wear their badges, no matter what their
job, education or social status. What could be more inspiring?
—George A. Baselice, a trainer in Levittown, NY, and the 1999 winner
of the Met-Rx World's Best Personal Trainer contest.
19. I stay focused and motivated by thinking of
girls on trampolines.
—Brian Magnoli, reader
Work Out Right
20. I look to see how many hours I'm training
compared to the amount of rest I'm receiving. If I'm working too much
and not getting enough rest, that needs to be modified.
—Daniel Farley, personal trainer in Pasadena, CA
21. If something hurts, I'll stop what I'm
doing and take care of it. I don't mind slowing down when I need to, because
I know that if I injure myself, it will keep me from making progress for a long
time.
—Adam Bers, reader
22. I've sold myself on the adage that some
is better than none, meaning that a 20- to 30-minute strength-training session
or a comparable cardiovascular workout will help me remain on the road to staying
strong.
—Brandon Flowers, trainer in Pasadena, CA, who specializes in portable
strength-training programs
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