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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23. I focus on increasing the amount of weight
I can lift every week while still maintaining excellent form. Seeing how much
I can progress while still doing things right has become a kind of game for
me.
—Lou Ratner, reader
Visualize Success
24. When you start a set, don't say to yourself
that you are going to try and do eight reps—tell yourself that you are
going to do eight reps, and you will.
—John Ellis, reader
25. When I'm on the treadmill, I stay motivated
by looking straight in front of me and imagining there is something there I
really want, so I try to catch it by running faster and faster for a long time.
—Daron Karsenti, reader
26. I'm 23 now, and I try to visualize what
shape I want to be in when I'm 30 years old, then when I'm 40, 50
or older.
—Frank Downey, reader
27. I imagine myself being 50 years old and still
able to play sports with my son. I want to be able to work out for my whole
life and stay fit, not only physically but mentally as well.
—Mark Limbaga, reader
Let Others Help
28. It helps to start an e-mail group for the regulars
of your gym or club, where everyone can send in motivational tips and get advice
from others.
—Lee Aylett, reader
29. Being on a team helps me to stay motivated
even when I don't feel like training. Your mind says, “I can't
let my team down,” even when your body
doesn't feel like doing it.
—Mark Talesfore, personal trainer and triathlon and adventure-racing coach
in Sacramento, CA
30. I have a buddy who works out with me. We encourage
each other to do better, and it makes the time go by a lot faster.
—Eric Rasmussen, reader
31. I read Men's Fitness articles that I
consider important, not once but several times. Whenever I have trouble remembering
your advice, that works very well for me.
—Elias Lopez, reader
Enjoy Yourself
32. Working out has become my personal
time. Those few hours at the gym are when I can focus on nothing else but myself.
No problems, no worries—just me and the weights. That's where I can
make my own personal goals happen.
—Ford Buena, reader
33. I frequently remind myself, If doing the Stairmaster
on level 20 is the hardest thing I have to do throughout the course of a day,
I'm going to have a very easy day.
—Able Simmons, reader
34. My girlfriend and I have a bet going as to
who can look the best … and whoever wins gets their fantasy fulfilled.
—Jack Jones, reader
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