How to Stay Motivated During the Holiday Season

It can be easy to lose your motivation this time of year. Here's how to spice up your routine and stay focused.

The hardest step is the first step. Isn’t that the saying we use? Well, the hard part you’ve done already: You took that first step and started a regular exercise routine to get fit and healthy. But now, especially during the holiday season you're finding out that keeping up with it is as hard as taking that first step. You need to keep exercising, but how do you do it without getting bored and losing motivation?

Motivation to Keep Exercise Exciting

What is it about fitness that makes it fun for you? What motivates you most and keeps you focused and centered on a workout? Try these methods. They can help you stay focused and interested in your exercise routine:

· Find a buddy.

Working out is much more fun when you do it with someone else. Find a friend who will exercise with you, and won’t let you back out of your workout dates and times. This “buddy” could also be a trainer that is somewhere waiting for you.

· Set goals and a schedule. If you don't plan time for exercise and dedicate yourself to it, it's hard to stay motivated. Schedule times and dates for workouts on your calendar, and jot down what you plan to do and goals you want to accomplish.

· Push yourself. Don't work out to the point of injury, but push yourself during exercise routines — don't give up because you don't feel like it or simply because you're tired. Push yourself to go a little harder or a little longer, and you'll feel great afterward.

· Read or listen to music.

If you're walking on a treadmill or using an elliptical machine, try reading so you lose track of the minutes while you're burning calories. Or pump yourself up with some favorite music: high-energy, fast-paced songs can give the boost you need to get through your exercise routine. Create a playlist or CD of songs that motivate you for a workout.

· Cut out the routine from your exercise routine. You're more likely to lose motivation if you stick to the same workout routine, so come up with options so that you don't get bored. Walk one day, run another, hop on a bike, and try different aerobic and resistance exercises.

· Where to work out.

Your environment can have a big impact on how well you focus on your exercise routine. If you prefer being outside, schedule an exercise program around outdoor activities. If you get too distracted by other people in a health club, try investing in videos or exercise equipment and do your workout at home.

· Join group exercise classes to spice things up. Usually group classes are longer and more intense than individual workouts, which usually means more calories being burned. Group fitness classes will definitely keep you more focused and you tend to work much harder and not even realize it.

· Eat for exercise.

The old saying “Eat to live. Don’t live to eat” is where most people fail. Don't exercise on an empty stomach, but don't eat a huge meal right before exercising, either. Stick to a healthy, balanced diet for lots of energy, and have a light, healthy snack before a scheduled workout so that you don't feel hungry. This is another important reason to have a scheduled exercise time, so you know exactly when to plan your meals.
To make working out a part of your lifestyle, you may need to occasionallycome up with new and fun ways to exercise. Just keep your end goal in mind — better health, fitness, and happiness —and find ways to enjoy your workout.

Here at The Shaping Concepts Fitness Training Center our exercise programs are built around your goals and are done in certain phases, meaning the pattern of the workout is changed once per month, even though every time you come in your workout is slightly different. This keeps your body guessing and your metabolism fast. We encourage healthy eating, not dieting. We also have an awesome new program that incorporates some group fitness classes combined with some individualized training. You get the best of both worlds. We also encourage proper supplementation to go along with eating clean foods. So everything listed above to help with motivation is what we do, so why not add these to your own daily routine to keep up the focus?

Come take Complete-Fit program test drive on a special 21-Day Trial. It’s awesome and I know you’ll love it!

Chad Cannon is the owner of Shaping Cenepts Fitness Training Center in Bluffton, SC.

Four Life Factors to Live By

I live my life with these four factors in mind to try to make everything much better for me and others, to be the best person I can be. These obviously change over the years as I get older, but right now, these are the best things for me that I try to follow. Maybe they will work for you as well.

1. Be as fit and healthy as you possibly can be.
I consistently try to improve myself physically, and emotionally. I mean I just completed something I've been wanting to do since I was a young teenager - a marathon. Something that was terrifying, enlightening, physically demanding, emotionally demanding, and just downright crazy! I try to keep pushing myself to knew heights, over and over again, knowing that there are no limits to anything I do.

2. Love your wife or husband.
I love my wife more than anything. That's obviously why I asked her to be my wife. I know I'm not the best husband by any means, but at times, I have to show her my compassion. She's the world to me and I'd do anything for her.

3. Spend as much time with your kids as possible.
If there's one thing that upsets me more than anything, it's not getting to my kids "functions". It's so important to me to be there during their performances, sporting events, etc. I am a lucky person to be the owner of a company therefore have the ability to get to leave work when I need to. Even if it's bad for the business. There is NOTHING more important than being there for your kids. I miss out on lots already working long hours, evening hours, and more, so I vowed about a year ago to spend more time with my kids. I try not to take that for granted.

4. Everything you do in life, do it to the best of your ability and beyond.
This part is very hard. For me I find that in some areas of my life this is easy, and some are more difficult than anything. I try to use my strengths and push more with those, and constantly try to push harder on the things I don't do well with. "Don't Settle" is a motto I personally follow. I continuously tell myself that there is more, there is better, so keep working!

BONUS:
This is by fay the most important rule of all that I know is true and that never changes. I know that my number one factor is number one and always will be because without it, numbers two, three, and four can't happen.



Come on in to my fitness center to see if it's for you on a 21-day trial, or schedule a FREE Intro personally with me where we will do a consultation and assessment.


Chad Cannon is the owner of the Shaping Concepts Fitness Training Center in Bluffton, SC.

Will I be the one that GAINS TEN POUNDS this holiday season?

Studies show that the average American gains ten pounds over the holidays. Halloween just ended, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner with Christmas to follow. This should be a wake up call for many of you. Remember how hard it was last year and all the years before that...how hard it was emotionally when you "planned" on doing a good job and not gaining weight during this time of year, but then it all fell to pieces. Emotionally and physically you were beaten. Well it's time to start now. Start taking control of yourself physically and taking control of your emotions. I've never said that losing weight is easy. However, there are very simple things you can do to help you achieve good results.

Go through this check list and make sure you are ready. Because losing weight and even maintaining it comes with sacrifices, life changes, and when it comes down to it, YES...hard work. But hard work dosn't stay hard for long once you form habits and start actually enjoying it. You might think I'm crazy, but billions of people feel the same as I do from doing it, so why are you any different?

Your readiness to lose weight check list:

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to accept the fact that physical change occurs from mental and emotional adjustments?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to accept the fact that a lifestyle modification may be required to correct your condition(s)?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to acknowledge a fair and legitimate timeline for evaluation of yourself, your progress, and the effectiveness of this program?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to complete cardiovascular exercise for thirty minutes or more up to 5 days a week if it has been determined to be imperative towards reaching your goals?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to keep a weekly food log to your trainer/accountability person for a reasonable period of time if it has been determined to be imperative towards reaching your goals?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to significantly change your diet habits, even if it means throwing food away and starting over, if it has been determined to be imperative towards
reaching your goals?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to significantly reduce or eliminate your soda, coffee or alcohol consumption as recommended by your trainer if it has been determined to be
imperative towards reaching your goals?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to receive additional education on diet and nutrition as recommended by your trainer if it has been determined to be imperative towards
reaching your goals?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to increase your water consumption as recommended by your trainer if it has been determined to be imperative towards reaching your goals?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to discuss the importance of your new lifestyle changes with your employer if your work environment presents significant barriers?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to spend less time with people who offer little or no positive encouragement and support for your goals? This includes individuals that may
selfishly not have your best interest in mind and be a bad influence with lifestyle choices.

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to take time away from other parts of your life (be it work, free time, hobby time, etc) to achieve an improved state of health and physical fitness?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you ready to commit to your trainer/accountability person in order to receive his/her commitment to you?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you ready to commit to showing up on-time for your scheduled workout appointments and treating them with the highest respect and priority?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you prepared to be accountable to your trainer/or anyone and your program and understand that an evaluation of your commitment will be used?

YES ____ NO ____ Are you willing to commit to supplementing your nutrition with healthy top of the line nutritional products (not crap that you buy in an isle in the grocery store) in order to maximize your healthier eating habits thus increasing your overall metabolism and health?

Make sure that you are totally ready to participate in your own weight loss challenge. If you cannot commit to these you are most likely not ready to make the commitment to lose weight.

Now is the time to train your brain and get started in the right direction during the holidays of eating season. Don't be one of those people that gain yet another ten pounds by January. Set yourself up to succeed now and become one of those people that looks forward to the holiday season!

Come in and sit down with me for a free intro consultation and go through a TRIAL SESSION to see what it’s really like to get fit and healthy.Chad Cannon is the owner of Shaping Concepts Fitness Training Center.

9 Good Reasons To Give My Fitness Training Program A Shot!

1. Accountability: We educate, support and guide you every step of the way, applying just the right amount of pressure to make sure you follow through.

2. Science: There's NO gimmicks- our system is based on the proven methods of using high intensity, short duration "burst training" to develop lean muscle, improve cardiovascular conditioning, increase metabolism, and optimize the hormonal systems in your body for fat loss.

3. Track Record: We've helped over 1000 Bluffton area residents lose weight, look great, and feel like a million bucks. Follow our system and you'll get the same!

4. Motivation: We know how to get you going FAST and keep you going so the results come quickly!

5. Expertise: You're coached and trained by a certified, highly knowledgeable fitness professional. All of our trainers are required to be certified by a nationally accredited organization. Unlike at a gym, not just anybody can be a trainer at Shaping Concepts. We select only highly educated, passionate, and dedicated fitness professionals (not some college kid trying to make a buck)!

6. Structure & Consistency: Let's face it, this is where the breakdown almost always occurs. We keep you on track, moving forward, so you see and feel the results quickly.

7. Customization: Your program is created for YOU, based on what YOUR body needs, ensuring that you reach your goals quickly and with 100% certainty!

8. Efficiency: We know you're busy so we get you in and get you out, at your convenience, so you can continue with your day.

9. You Are NOT Alone Anymore: Going it alone doesn't work...our programs are guaranteed to work if you simply follow the system!


Come in and sit down with me for a free intro consultation and go through a TRIAL SESSION to see what it’s really like to get fit and healthy.

Chad Cannon is the owner of Shaping Concepts Fitness Training Center.