Sooner or later, most of us hit the doldrums with a regular fitness routine.  When this happens, excuses to avoid workouts begin to flourish.  Here are some ideas to try when you find yourself procrastinating about exercise:

• Choose a fitness pursuit that you enjoy.  If you like the method, chances are you’ll stick with it longer.
• Develop a workout buddy.  If you get the blahs about exercising, your buddy can inspire you to show up.
• To avoid boredom, switch it up.  Mix in something new or alternate between methods.  Not only will your enthusiasm increase, your results will improve when you challenge your body to do something new.  It’s a good idea to add movements that mimic the way your body moves when performing basic tasks.  That way you’ll be able to perform physical tasks without paying the price of muscle soreness.

Technology and Your Workout:

There are some great technologies to help in your pursuit of fitness.  Most of them are relatively affordable and easy to use.

• A quick way to inspire each workout is to choose music that motivates you to reach a higher level of activity than your usual routine. By simply adding a new play-list for exercise, you can get that extra ounce of effort needed for improvement.
• If you feel defeated because progress has begun to plateau, invest in a heart-rate monitor.  They are inexpensive (also a good yard-sale find) and effectively point out the parts of your workout where you might not be working to your potential.
• Use a “Body Bug.”  These devices are bands that are worn on the upper arm.  They track movement and help the wearer to better understand how much energy is expended and calories consumed.  

Whatever method you choose, keep in mind that good self-talk is a vital part of maintaining momentum in your workout plan.  Focus on all the good things you’ve done to improve your health and fitness. Avoid saying anything, to yourself or others, that describes you in a negative way – “I’m so fat, I’m a slacker,” etc.  Replace thoughts of that nature with positive statements.  Use visualization to reinforce the results you want.

The most important aspect of fitness begins with your mind.  That’s where determination takes place.  Nurture that element and you will be rewarded with improved health and fitness. 

- Pam Brooks

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