If we all had great looking fit bodies, we wouldn’t even think about exercise at all. Very few people are blessed with a fabulous body and most of us have to work really hard just to fit into an old pair of jeans or a t-shirt. In fact, it’s not unusual for beginners to kick off their exercise regime in an enthusiastic way, only to find that staying motivated is harder than it appears. If the thought of a workout isn’t doing much to rev up your enthusiasm, then here are a few tips that may help-

a)    Set a realistic goal: You may be just 2 months away from wearing your favourite top again, but giving up mid-way makes the goal itself seem impossible to achieve.  The trick is to set a realistic and achievable goal without putting any unnecessary pressure on yourself. When you have achieved one goal, it will encourage you to keep going till you have written your own success story.

b)    Look for Inspiration: Is there an acquaintance at the club who never seems to have trouble sticking to a workout regime? It may come as a surprise, but surrounding yourself with people who are serious about staying fit and healthy will have a big positive impact on you as well. Read real life stories of people who have successfully overcome weight or fitness issues and subscribe to magazines which focus on improving your overall health. If others can do it, why not you?

c)    Remember the benefits: There are plenty of articles written about how working out for even 30 minutes a day for 5 days in a week is a fantastic health and mood booster. Working up a sweat in a gym or at home not only helps your body become more flexible but also enhances overall health. In other words, you’ll find that you get ill less often, have plenty of energy and even notice an improvement in your moods. Not to forget, you also help your body stay young by keeping unwanted diseases away.

d)    Have fun: The very word ‘exercise’ conjures up boring images of a sweaty day at the gym and doing crunches till your muscles ache. But whoever said that exercising had to be boring? On the contrary, if you take up an activity that you are interested in, the chances of you getting fit faster and sticking to your workout are much higher. More people these days are exploring other ways to get fit such as by learning a martial art. For added inspiration, join group sessions instead of working out alone.

So if you were unable to stick to your resolution last year, it’s time to turn over a new page and begin your journey to a healthier you this year.