Secrets of Fitness Success

Here we are, quickly approaching the fall season and odds are, most people’s health and fitness resolutions have failed miserably months ago. Those resolutions we made have melted away with the snow, the pounds, however, have not. So why is it that each year we fail to meet our goals?

Making your commitment to being healthy isn’t necessarily easy, however, I happen to know a few “tricks” of the trade. These “tricks” may be the difference between you being happy and healthy or stressed and depressed. The principle is quite plain…explore your options and know what works for you. And there are a lot of tricks to choose from.

Normally, the first option people think of when they finally realize that this recommendation of regular exercise applies to them too, is the gym. You then typically fall into one of two categories:

Person A: you sign up, go once or maybe a handful of times and quickly realize that you do not fit in. You feel awkward and have no idea where to start or what to do. You wind up wasting your time and money simply because you hated feeling like an out of shape, wanna-be. This clearly was not your “trick” to getting and staying in shape.

Or, you fall under Person B: You sign up and do some “prepping”. This is almost an event for some people who truly enjoy the gym “show”. You meet new people, love the social scene and make a valid effort to prove to people you’ve never seen before that you can do one more. This, clearly, will work for you. And if you click with a fitness conscious person who turns into a good friend…you’ve got bonus points. Your chances of success here have suddenly improved. Take this new friend and turn them into your added trick, that of the: buddy system.

Studies have shown that people who work out in pairs are more likely to stick to their fitness routine and have better weight-loss results than those who go it alone. So, plan to schedule weekly workouts at the same time with that friend who has a compatible agenda and goal. True friends won’t keep making excuses just when they are too lazy to go. They at least know that the end result might not always be a terrific workout, but almost always good conversation and go ol’ fun.

Another option you have is to join a fitness competition. Now this is a special type of person who this works for. You are a natural die-hard competitor. You always wanted to ride your bike faster than that kid down the street. Usually, this works best in a controlled environment where a group of like- minded individuals register for a Fitness Challenge (think Biggest Loser, Corporate Wellness Programs) and the prize is typically minimal.

The catch with the competition is that for all of you who didn’t at least make it in the top five, you might get a flashback to the day when Jimmy from down the street rode his bike way faster than you did, and then you fell off your bike. And everyone watched.

But if you still have not found your trick to making your fitness endeavors successful, don’t get discouraged just yet. The best is yet to come.

The whole in-home exerciser has more option than ever before. We now have so much more access to fitness on a daily basis from home alone. With all the fitness dvd’s, tv stations dedicated to fitness such as Fit tv and internet trainers, you almost have no excuse to not make it work. There are already sites where you can have a trainer train you “virtually” – literally – anywhere at any time. You can choose where, when, and how you work out. Best part is that it is convenient and affordable.

The possibilities don’t stop there either. By exploring these and other essential tools and tricks to achieve a healthier lifestyle, you will almost be tempted to fast forward the clocks to January first. Minus the snow and weight.