Three's a Charm
Winter Weight
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You Motivated By Monica Pantin |
New York, August 2003: 1.Visualize: For 10 minutes each day,spend quiet time visualizing yourself achieving a fit toned body. See yourself fitting into that dress, or jeans, or swimsuit that's in your closet that you have not worn in years, because it does not fit you any more.
2.Write down your fitness goals: Writing down your goals and the date you wish to achieve those goals. Write down the action steps toward these goals. This will give you the motivation to actually achieve your goals .e.g. I will do abdominal crunches on Mon, Tues, Wed and Sat for 10 minutes.
3.Identify your action steps: Depending on your fitness goals, write down exactly what you will do everyday to achieve your goals. On Mondays at 6.pm, I will fitness walk for 30 mins. On tuesday at 7am I will do a 15 minute stretching routine, etc.
4.Get a fitness Buddy: If you are bored working out alone,work out with some one who has the same fitness goals as yourself.
5.Lay your exercise clothing,shoes out the night before: When you wake up the next morning,seeing your workout wear will keep you motivated to exercise.
6.Music, Music, Music. Exercise to your favorite music. Every time I workout I use music. Music will help you enjoy your routine, especially when you do not feel like working out.Music will lift your spirit,put you in a good mood and get you moving.
7.Hire a personal Trainer: Consider hiring a personal trainer for a few sessions. A personal trainer can help you break through a fitness plateau. Commiting to a personal trainer for 2 or 3 wotkouts can give you the spark that you may need to inject new life into your exercise routine.
8.Do something different: If you have been doing one type of exercise routine for some time, challenge yourself and breathe new life into your routine by doing a new type of exercise, e.g., Pliates, spinning, hatha yoga, or take a dance class.
9.Make exercise a part of your daily life: Treat exercise as part of your everyday life. The same way yoy schedule your trips to your hairdresser, or to your manicurist, or your grocery shopping,schedule exercise the same way.
10. Reward Yourself: Treat yourself to a facial, orbuy yourself a new exercise outfit, or new workout shoes, or go out dancing on Saturday night. Achieving your goals deserves celebration,whether it be small or large.
Monica Pantin is Trinidad born, New York personal fitness trainer.