Diet & Fitness 

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The 10 secrets of exercise motivation

Sweating it out on the treadmill or lifting weights in a gym is fine for the first few days of an exercise programme, but after that who can stay motivated with the same old boring routine? Not to mention, on the days that it’s rainy and grey outdoors, or when you’re just knackered, your fitness routine is the first thing to get chucked off your ‘to do’ list. What’s the trick to staying keen on exercise? Follow these simple steps to stick to the programme.

1. Start Safely. ‘Check with your GP before trying a new exercise routine so you don’t do anything that’s unsafe,’ says Marilyn Luscombe, the National Director of the Association of Personal Trainers in London. Also, take time to get proper instruction on different types of exercise and technique. Schedule an appointment with a personal trainer at your local gym or work out with an experienced training partner to reduce your chance of injury.
   
   
2. Choose a workout you enjoy. Thirty minutes on the treadmill is torture if you’d rather be strolling outdoors or taking a spinning class. ‘It’s crucial to make exercise something you like doing, otherwise you’ll dread making it a part of your life,’ says Luscombe. If solo sport-orientated exercise like skiing or running is your game, go for that over class-based workouts.
   
   
3. Set realistic goals. ‘If you feel waffly about getting fit, you’re unlikely to stick to a routine,’ warns Luscombe. Having clear objectives and a challenging, yet achievable goal—such as losing half a stone before holiday—will motivate you to get to the gym or take that afternoon walk on days when you just want to toss out your trainers. One way to encourage yourself to keep a fitness commitment is to sign a contract with yourself stating your goals.
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