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.