by Jennifer Johnson

Created on: July 25, 2009   Last Updated: July 26, 2009

One of the hardest things about an exercise program is trying to stay motivated after the 'new' wears off. If you have this problem, take heart, because you're not alone! Many of the people sweating on the elliptical at the gym on January 1st are sitting on the sofa around the end of February.

So what can you do to help yourself stay motivated and continue to exercise long-term?

Here are a few simple tips to help you get - and stay - motivated to exercise:

CHOOSE SOMETHING YOU ENJOY

This seems deceptively simple, but it's crucial to staying motivated long-term: choose an exercise you like. If you aren't really interested in running but decide that will be your workout routine, chances are that you won't keep it up for long.

It's a mistake to commit yourself to the latest trend just because it's the 'in' thing at the moment. It has to be something you enjoy or you won't have the heart to hang in there for the long haul.

Pick something you enjoy doing, whether it's hiking, biking, swimming, running, walking - or some combination of activities. That way you'll view it as something you actually *want* to do, rather than a chore you *have* to do.

FIND A PARTNER

All of us will have days we just don't feel like exercising. Having a workout partner can help get us up and moving, even when we just don't feel like it.

Plus, you naturally want to spend time around people you like, so you'll look forward to your day at the gym or on the track since you get to be around friends.

In general, you should surround yourself with people who love and support you and who will help you stay motivated to reach your goals. Try to limit contact (or at least steer conversations to other topics) with friends or co-workers who are critical - or worse, intentionally try to sabotage - your efforts. This is especially true in the beginning when you're trying to establish a habit of exercising.

CONSIDER YOUR SCHEDULE

In order to maintain long-term motivation, you should choose something that fits well with your schedule.

You may find that you do much better exercising first thing in the morning, so that you 'get it out of the way' and avoid excuses to do something else later in the day rather than exercise. You may be just the opposite and look forward to a workout at the end of a long day as a way to unwind and recharge. Or, you may be a mother of young children with no long block of time to devote to a workout, so you have to fit 'mini workouts' in your busy day. Whatever works

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