5 Tips to Stick to Your Fitness Goals

Staying committed to an exercise regimen is hard work. There’s no way around that. But it’s about much more than physical resolve. Designing the routine that’s best for you is key. We want to help you reach your goals, which is why we’ve put together five tips to help you design a routine you’ll want to stick to! If you need more direction and assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to a local Anytime Fitness staff member. We’re ready and eager to help!

Push yourself. 

When it comes to personal fitness, you are the biggest factor in the success of your program. Ultimately, you’re the one who decides to hit the gym or run that extra mile. As you begin a new routine, being your own cheerleader will go a long way in making your desired results a reality!

Keep a fitness journal.

When you think about exercising, journaling probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, recording your progress in a dedicated place will make a big difference as you develop your routine. Whether you choose a physical notebook, an app, spreadsheet, or our monthly wellness calendar, giving yourself a handy place to record your exercise will help you keep every week productive—and be a great way to reflect on how far you’ve come! 

Reward yourself.

There’s a reason why every store seems to have some form of a rewards program—they’re extremely effective at gaining repeat customers. In that same way, creating a rewards program around your workout plan will help to make you a “repeat customer” of the gym! Set a goal for yourself and choose a reward you get once you meet that goal. It doesn’t really matter what you set as your reward, but try to choose non food-related rewards, like a massage, a new outfit or a movie. Whether your goal is to lose weight, lift a certain weight, or exercise consistently for a period of time, knowing you have a new outfit, trip or treat at the end can do wonders to get you there!

Introduce variety.

People who are new to a fitness routine often burn out after their first few weeks because their workouts start becoming boring. Mixing together different workouts will keep your mind and your muscles engaged! Try a variety of exercises as a great way to discover things you enjoy, which will ultimately help keep you motivated and having more fun each time you hit the gym. 

Get social.

Whether you’re a Chatty Cathy or prefer a solo exercise sesh, there are plenty of ways to involve others to help keep you motivated. If you’d like to get moving with other workout enthusiasts, check out your gym’s group fitness schedule or local event pages to see what groups are around you. From distance running to weightlifting, chances are someone in your area enjoys the same type of exercise and would be thrilled to buddy up!

If you aren’t interested in having a gym buddy, but still want a sense of community, online communities like your gym’s Facebook page, where you can chat about progress, are great ways to cultivate that same sense of support.