Wondering why your exercise program does not seem to be working for you? Complaining every time you step on the scale or try on that pair of pants? Any professional in the field of health, fitness, and wellness would agree that the number one reason an exercise program doesn’t work to improve someone’s health is because you don’t stick to it. The biggest thing that any major fitness clubs relies on when building clubs and signing up members, is that most of the time most of the members WON’T be there.

You join the gym with feelings of excitement, dedication, and desire. You expect to meet your fitness goals. Unfortunately, instant results and dramatic weight loss are the exception and not the norm. When these things do not happen within the first few months frustration and doubt often takeover and the motivation is lost. Giving up however is not the answer.

The biggest mistake that most people make is focusing on immediate outcomes such as weight loss and clothes size. These visible goals determine the success of an exercise program. What is missed is whether the program benefited the heart and lungs that day. Life long programs should focus on changes in behavior and lifestyle choices instead of instant success. Changing behavior means that you will be held accountable for your actions rewarded for simply showing up. Ultimately, all the things that you previously set as a measure of success will become a reality. Weight will be lost. Clothes sizes will decrease. Here are some tips to help you achieve your potential:

10 Tips To Help You Stick with it!

1. Train for a charity event. Someone else is counting on you!
2.Think of exercise as part of your life. It should be something you want to do, NOT need to do or have to do.
3. Workout with a trainer. Take responsibility for your actions.
4. Keep an exercise log and show it to your trainer each week. Add in motivational quotes after each week.
5. Add variety to your workout. Trying different types of activities such as inline skating, interval training, surfing, body sculpting, and rowing will prevent boredom or staleness.
6. Reward yourself. Put money in a jar each time you workout. Every six months go shopping!
7. Make a written promise to your family, self, or a significant other that you will make a small sacrifice such as missing one half hour of TV, getting up thirty minutes earlier, or alternating picking up the kids in order to exercise. What you give up will reward you in the end.
8. Join a training group or program with an event in mind. Make a goal to finish a competitive event within a few months. Nothing is more satisfying than accomplishing your goals.
9. Learn at least 2 exercises for each body part to add variety to your workout.
10. Keep Reminders around the house of your goals.