KEEP IT GOING!

5 tips to stick with your workout routine!

1. Find internal motivation
Internal motivation comes from the inside, such as having joy when
exercising. Relying on extrinsic motivation, as in from outside sources such
as for praise or money, makes you feel like you need to be exercising and
more often leads to short-term commitment to programs. Finding your
personal reason for exercising will help you want to keep going. Those who
exercise because they love it are the ones who stay with it.

2. Don’t do too much too soon

Take it easy when starting your routine. Going full speed all the time will
leave you burned out, discouraged, possibly injured, and dreading your
next workout. Start slow and once that becomes easy, gradually make your
routine more challenging. You should be pushed outside your comfort zone,
but you don't need to dive straight out of it.

3. Mix up your routine

Performing the same workouts day in and day out can get tiresome.
Change it up to keep you interested as well as to exercise different muscle
groups. Try a new group exercise class or swap the elliptical for the stair
climber. You don't need to dramatically switch your routine every day, but
you may find something you love even more!

4. Bring a friend
Working out with a friend can help you stay honest to your goals. When the
day comes where you really just want to go straight home, it will be harder
to skip if you're meeting a friend. They will help encourage you and it will be
more fun than going at it alone. Studies show people workout longer and
harder when doing it with a friend.

5. Be forgiving
Don't be afraid to scale back. If you increased your workouts too fast, you
may feel like you can't keep up. This could lead to abandoned exercise
routines. Listen to your mind and body. If you need an easy workout, take
one! Don't beat yourself up for skipping a day either, instead pump yourself
up to get back into it.