Just as there are a million and one ways to get fit, there are a same number of ways to keep fit.
If you've hit that point where you're simply sick and tired of the sweaty smells and clanking iron of the gym, or you feel you've pulled on your running shoes for the thousandth time this month, you might be at the point everyone hits sooner or later--the beginning of burnout.
Some methods that have worked for others to keep working out and staying in shape--but which you might not have tried--are offered by Pete Jones, a personal trainer in Houston.
1.
Make time- and number-specific goals for what you want to achieve.
For instance, a 32-inch waist within 60 days.
There are two important factors when setting these types of goals, says Jones.
"You have to know what you can do and not give yourself too many goals in a short period of time," he says.
If you don't know your capabilities or know much about the science of exercise, you might set a goal that can't be achieved.
For instance, you're not going to get a 16-inch bicep muscle in a month if you just started lifting weights for the first time in your life.
Also, if you have other personal or work goals to meet within the same time period, it might be emotionally exhausting.
"Don't go too easy on setting your goals," suggests Jones, "but make them hard enough that you'll be a little surprised when you meet the goals.
" 2.
Do the journal thing.
"The guys at the gym who keep track of when they work out and how many reps they do are not just meatheads," says Jones.
"You can figure out why you're making gains or not.
It might be a little extra paperwork, but that paperwork can be the change that leads you to improvement.
" 3.
Get a workout partner.
"Two heads are better than one," says Jones, "plus it makes the time at the gym go faster.
" If you're the competitive type, that might give you an extra edge, too.
4.
Go with the ol' variety method.
Change from the machines you use at the gym to new ones.
Change gyms.
Change gym buddies.
Change the days you work out.
Change the time of day you work out.
"Think of whatever variations you can throw into your workout routine without losing progress," says Jones.
"It's very easy to think we will do better if we keep doing things the same way, but it's not necessarily true.
And putting ourselves into a pattern--such as where and when we work out--does not necessarily mean we're more likely to stick with it.
If you're feeling burnout, obviously that isn't working.
" Here are some additional ways that you can keep yourself motivated and stay sharp with ideas.
E-CHAIN Built a buddy list via email for all your friends who are into fitness, or perhaps people you know at your gym.
In your non-workout time, you can exchange fitness ideas, compliment each other, and encourage each other.
If you don't know that many people who are into fitness but you go to a gym, ask the management if they are willing to start a sign-up sheet for such an email circle.
ME TIME With pressures from work mounting all the time, and maybe even hassles at home, make sure your time exercising is just for you.
"Mentally practice shutting out everything else," says personal trainer Jones.
"You'll enjoy your exercise time better if your mind is clear and you can focus on one thing.
You're building your body for yourself and only yourself.
It's pretty refreshing in this day and age.
" TEAM TYPE If you find that being on a sports team motivates you, or that you enjoy the teamwork atmosphere, use that team aspect to keep you going with your own fitness.
It works for Jones: "If I think about slacking off at the gym, I remember the men's basketball team I belong to," he says.
" BIG REWARD If you can, tie a big reward to reaching a longer-term physical goal.
And make it something you don't necessary need, but rather, something that's a luxury.
For instance, if you want to treat yourself with a new car, but it's about time you got one anyway, it's not necessarily a reward for reaching your major fitness goal.
A better choice might be a vacation, new TV or other item related to relaxation and comfort.
BOOK IT If your main challenge is a busy schedule, put your workout time into your schedule.
"Any reasonable boss or spouse should understand that if you're doing your best, it's certainly acceptable to honor your 'gym booking' just like you'd show up for work or dinner," says Jones.
"Those who want to keep in shape should not have to feel like exercising is something to be done only on free time when everything else is done.
Sometimes you have to leave work or home matters incomplete so that you can get in your exercise.
" Think of it this way, he suggests: that very exercise keeps you healthier and better able to be a spouse or employee in the long run, which should make everyone happy.
A fit spouse or employee is less likely to have "down time" being sick and less likely to have heart disease or other health challenges later in life.
Who can argue with that?
If you've hit that point where you're simply sick and tired of the sweaty smells and clanking iron of the gym, or you feel you've pulled on your running shoes for the thousandth time this month, you might be at the point everyone hits sooner or later--the beginning of burnout.
Some methods that have worked for others to keep working out and staying in shape--but which you might not have tried--are offered by Pete Jones, a personal trainer in Houston.
1.
Make time- and number-specific goals for what you want to achieve.
For instance, a 32-inch waist within 60 days.
There are two important factors when setting these types of goals, says Jones.
"You have to know what you can do and not give yourself too many goals in a short period of time," he says.
If you don't know your capabilities or know much about the science of exercise, you might set a goal that can't be achieved.
For instance, you're not going to get a 16-inch bicep muscle in a month if you just started lifting weights for the first time in your life.
Also, if you have other personal or work goals to meet within the same time period, it might be emotionally exhausting.
"Don't go too easy on setting your goals," suggests Jones, "but make them hard enough that you'll be a little surprised when you meet the goals.
" 2.
Do the journal thing.
"The guys at the gym who keep track of when they work out and how many reps they do are not just meatheads," says Jones.
"You can figure out why you're making gains or not.
It might be a little extra paperwork, but that paperwork can be the change that leads you to improvement.
" 3.
Get a workout partner.
"Two heads are better than one," says Jones, "plus it makes the time at the gym go faster.
" If you're the competitive type, that might give you an extra edge, too.
4.
Go with the ol' variety method.
Change from the machines you use at the gym to new ones.
Change gyms.
Change gym buddies.
Change the days you work out.
Change the time of day you work out.
"Think of whatever variations you can throw into your workout routine without losing progress," says Jones.
"It's very easy to think we will do better if we keep doing things the same way, but it's not necessarily true.
And putting ourselves into a pattern--such as where and when we work out--does not necessarily mean we're more likely to stick with it.
If you're feeling burnout, obviously that isn't working.
" Here are some additional ways that you can keep yourself motivated and stay sharp with ideas.
E-CHAIN Built a buddy list via email for all your friends who are into fitness, or perhaps people you know at your gym.
In your non-workout time, you can exchange fitness ideas, compliment each other, and encourage each other.
If you don't know that many people who are into fitness but you go to a gym, ask the management if they are willing to start a sign-up sheet for such an email circle.
ME TIME With pressures from work mounting all the time, and maybe even hassles at home, make sure your time exercising is just for you.
"Mentally practice shutting out everything else," says personal trainer Jones.
"You'll enjoy your exercise time better if your mind is clear and you can focus on one thing.
You're building your body for yourself and only yourself.
It's pretty refreshing in this day and age.
" TEAM TYPE If you find that being on a sports team motivates you, or that you enjoy the teamwork atmosphere, use that team aspect to keep you going with your own fitness.
It works for Jones: "If I think about slacking off at the gym, I remember the men's basketball team I belong to," he says.
" BIG REWARD If you can, tie a big reward to reaching a longer-term physical goal.
And make it something you don't necessary need, but rather, something that's a luxury.
For instance, if you want to treat yourself with a new car, but it's about time you got one anyway, it's not necessarily a reward for reaching your major fitness goal.
A better choice might be a vacation, new TV or other item related to relaxation and comfort.
BOOK IT If your main challenge is a busy schedule, put your workout time into your schedule.
"Any reasonable boss or spouse should understand that if you're doing your best, it's certainly acceptable to honor your 'gym booking' just like you'd show up for work or dinner," says Jones.
"Those who want to keep in shape should not have to feel like exercising is something to be done only on free time when everything else is done.
Sometimes you have to leave work or home matters incomplete so that you can get in your exercise.
" Think of it this way, he suggests: that very exercise keeps you healthier and better able to be a spouse or employee in the long run, which should make everyone happy.
A fit spouse or employee is less likely to have "down time" being sick and less likely to have heart disease or other health challenges later in life.
Who can argue with that?