Blog & Newsletter Archives

1. Don't put away your gear. Visual cues are a wake-up call to your brain. Leave your sneakers and workout clothes in sight for when you wake up in the morning, this acts as a good reminder that exercise needs to be at the forefront of your priorities.
2. Turn your commute into a workout. Running, walking or biking somewhere you have to go anyway makes exercise feel time-efficient. It's a good strategy for people who are busy from morning to night.
3. Invest in more workout clothes. Having the right clothing doesn't just remove a hurdle but it reinforces your identity as an exerciser. Stock up on at least a week's worth of gym outfits to eliminate any last minute hand washing in the sink.
4. Log your workouts online. Social networking sites like Facebook offer an extra layer of social support. One woman started to post her exercise routines on Facebook, the next thing she knew, friends from high school whom she hadn't seen in years began writing comments. Now when she doesn't post a workout update for a few days, they'll demand to know what's going on. I did that when I was training for the marathon last year, it was a great support system.
5. Involve your causes. Strong feelings have a multiplier effect. Pledge to give money to a charity if you make a goal or sign up to raise money for a charity. Again, part of my motivation in running the Chicago Marathon last year was that I was raising money for charity (PAWS Chicago), and it made me more determined to stick with it.
6. Make friends with class regulars. It's smart time management because you get a social fix while doing physical activity – and both boost health.
7. Create an exercise contest. It doesn't have to be The Biggest Loser but competition can turn a solitary pursuit into a fun group one. The contest can be for anything: most steps walked, most hours exercising, percentage of body weight lost.