Make fitness part of your routine.
One of the hardest parts about sticking to a fitness goal is fitting workouts into your day. Instead of trying to fit it in, make working out a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. Set calendar reminders for yourself, have a friend or spouse hold you accountable and make gym time a priority. Do what works best for you to tackle the first hurdle of working out: making time for it.
Create hard copies of your workouts.
Plan weekly workouts in advance based on your fitness goals. Either print your workouts or write them down and take them with you to the gym. Having a physical copy of your workout can help you feel more accountable, and going to the gym with a solid plan is less daunting than winging it. Plus, you can check your workouts off as you complete them, which is always satisfying.
Keep a journal of your workouts.
Your workouts should be designed to lead up to an end goal. Writing down your progress can help you determine whether you're on track or if you need to make adjustments your goals or routines. If your goals are focused on running, keep track of your distance and pace. You can also note your routes and track potential injuries or other beneficial information. If you are weight training, keep track of sets, reps and weight used, especially if it differs from your initial workout plan.
Slowly increase your workout difficulty.
In order to reach your fitness goals, you'll need to continuously push yourself over time. Continue adding mileage, increasing speed, adding reps, increasing weight or doing what you need to do to reach your goal. It's important to find the right balance between pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and pushing yourself too hard. Increasing difficulty too quickly can lead to disappointment or even injury, while not challenging yourself enough can lead to boredom and falling short of your goals. (Related: Are You Working Out Hard Enough?)
Supplement fitness with a healthy diet.
A healthy diet goes hand-in-hand with fitness goals. If you're following a workout routine but not seeing the results you want, take a closer look at your diet. Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet can give your body the energy it needs to take your workouts to the next level. Even simple changes -- like decreasing alcohol intake -- can do wonders for your body. (Related: Fitness Fuel: The Best Snacks for Before & After Working Out)
Feeling ready to tackle those fitness goals? Keep these tips in mind to stay on track. You got this!
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