January’s excitement is gone, the weather is hit and miss, or maybe life just feels too busy.

All of these different factors create the perfect storm to lose momentum with our New Year’s goals. How can we revive our exercise motivation?

• Take a few minutes and revisit the last goal you set. Consider, is this a worthy goal for me? Is this something I really want to commit to right now? If it is, recommit remind yourself of why this goal is important to you. If the goal isn’t really something you want to do, figure out a new plan for your fitness routine.
• What needs to change for the goal to happen? Do you need a different attitude? Do you need more sleep? Do you need to stop doing something else? Do you need to reduce the amount of time you watch tv or are on the internet? Do you need to get up early and do it first thing in the morning so nothing else interferes? Chances are there is something that you need to do differently to get back on track.
• Change the routine: If what you are doing now isn’t inspiring try something new. Go outside for a run or walk, try a new class (aerobics, zumba, cycling, yoga, water jogging, etc…), sign up for an upcoming race, try a circuit workout, or set up a fitness date with a friend.
• Read up on the health benefits of what you are doing and remind yourself of the big picture benefits of a regular, consistent fitness routine.
• Break your goal down into small steps. My overall desire for this year was to get my left hip as strong as my right and get back to high intensity exercise.

To get there I have three different goals that build on each other.

1. Goal number one was to run for 30 minutes (accomplished).
2. Goal number two is to complete a 5k (working on that for April).
3. Goal Number 3 is to complete a sprint triathlon.

Currently, 5 days a week I do a 30-60 minute workout that is moving me in the direction of the goal. If you are new to exercising your first step might be to walk for 10 minutes three times this week and then gradually increase the time and frequency until you reach your goal. Whatever your goal is break it down into manageable steps that move your forward.

What do you do to maintain your fitness motivation? Leave us a comment…