7 Ways to Keep From Getting Discouraged at the Gym

November 21st, 2008 — activities, exercise, goals, gym, rewards 

Gym When you're first starting out with your exercise plan, it is all too easy to get discouraged. Working out is not always easy and if you don't take the right approach, quitting can be all too simple. However there are some techniques that you can use to make sure that you actually start to enjoy your workouts.

  1. Wear Clothes That Fit

    First, you'll need to pick a gym that appeals to you and where you feel as though you fit in. Most cities have more than one gym so you can try out of a few on guest memberships to see which ones you feel comfortable with. If you can't find one where you fit completely in, try to schedule your workout for times when you won't have to worry about interacting much until you can build up your confidence.

  2. Find an Affordable Gym

    Second, you'll need to pick a gym that doesn't cost too much. Some memberships can be pretty expensive and it is too easy to justify quitting when it's taking up a large chunk of your income. Try to find a gym that offers discount rates or see if there are guest packages that you can take advantage of.

  3. Do What You Like

    Third, you'll want to find a gym that offers the types of exercises that you're interested in. Whether it's a spinning class, yoga or simple aerobics, having the classes you like at the gym will help you stay motivated. In addition, you'll also want to pick the classes with teachers that you like. This helps make it easier to go through the routine.

  4. Reward Yourself

    Fourth, it is important to set up a rewards system with yourself. For example, if you go to the gym for five days straight, you can treat yourself to a special manicure, a video game or a movie. Just make sure that the rewards are not food related. By setting it up so that you have a tangible reward, you can train yourself to look forward to exercising.

  5. Make Sure the Gym is Nearby

    Fifth, the distance to the gym is very important. Again, you want to avoid making it easy to justify not going. Whether it's close to your house or on the way to work, make sure that it is convenient enough so that you can't make excuses.

  6. Mix It Up

    Sixth, variety is the spice of life. It is too easy to get bored when you do the same exercises over and over and it won't help if you have hit a plateau. Look for a gym that offers several different options so that you can change up your workouts. This can really make a big difference in how you look forward to exercising.

  7. Set Reasonable Goals

    Lastly, you'll need to set reasonable goals for yourself and stick with them. Try rewarding yourself like we mentioned above when you reach them. Start small so that you don't get discouraged. Whether it's losing five pounds, or being able to spend ten straight minutes at top speed on the treadmill, set little goals to give yourself a reason to keep trying.

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Carnival of Weight Loss - Thanksgiving Edition

November 20th, 2008 — Weight Loss Journal, carnivals 

Welcome to the November 20, 2008 edition of carnival of weight loss.

editor picks

Kara-Leah presents Squeeze yoga and meditation into a jam-packed day? posted at Prana Flow NZ, saying, "Family, work, & household commitments often make finding a 90-minute slot to practice yoga during the day next to impossible. However - short of getting up at 5am, or re-prioritizing your life to ditch other commitments, there are other ways to regularly practice yoga. After all, home practice is where the deeper rewards of yoga blossom. So don't let a lack of time scare you off - you CAN make yoga work for you."

Valeria presents How to Build a Lean Body Around the Clock posted at Timeless Lessons.

Carlos Perea presents CarlosPerea.com - Effective Workout in Less than an Hour posted at CarlosPerea.com - Self-improvement Through Introspection.

diet

Fatty presents Master Cleanse: Final Reflections posted at Fatty Fat Fat.

Aparna presents Papaya for health and beauty posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming.

fitness

Binh presents 5 Ways To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks posted at How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks, saying, "If you are tired of the unsightly stretch marks on your body and ready to do something about them, you will want to know all your treatment options. Some stretch mark treatment choices are much better than others and certain treatments can pose significant risks..."

Clare presents How tough should your aerobic workout be? posted at All About Weightloss, saying, "Aerobic exercise is a great way to lose weight and stay healthy because it strengthens your heart and lungs as well as burning fat. However, before you start a new aerobic activity you need to understand how intense the workout should be to achieve the best results. All About Weightloss brings you three rules you should follow to get the best out of your aerobics routine."

Woman Tribune presents Skinny Schemes: Skinny Water posted at Woman Tribune.

food

Annette Berlin presents Orange Smoothie posted at Craft Stew, saying, "A diet based on deprivation is bound to fail, sooner or later. Frequent, but healthy treats, are the key to long term weight loss. This Orange Smoothie is yummy tasting, and is low in calories."

Randy Powell presents Cinnamon and its benefits posted at Eating-Veggies.com: High Alkaline Diet blog.

GrrlScientist presents Bottomfeeder: How to Eat Ethically in a World of Vanishing Seafood posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, "There's plenty of fish in the sea, as the old addage goes -- but are there, really? I experienced a rude awakening at the peak popularity of Orange Roughy, which I loved. I learned that Orange Roughy, Hoplostethus atlanticus, an extremely long-lived benthic species in the Western Pacific Ocean that doesn't even reach sexual maturity until 40 years of age, was being eaten out of existence by people like me."

health

myln presents How to change mood with exercise posted at ManageYourLifeNow.com, saying, "Many people wonder how they can change their mood. Physical exercise can help you change mood. This is not just an advice or a rumour but it is a proven scientific fact. During physical exercise our body creates substances that can change our mood. These substances are natural and healthier than any medication taken in an effort to change mood."

Erika Collin presents 100 Best Blogs for the Mind, Body, and Soul | National Massage Certification posted at National Massage Certification.

weight loss

Arun presents From Chubby to Studdly Part 1 posted at Arun is bringing you...Your Daily Remedy, saying, "An older story I wrote chronicling my journey to fitness, and some tips on how you can follow suit!"

Alan H. Wayler, PhD presents Healthy Eating: Walk Off Your Food Cravings posted at A Weight Lifted.

Alan H. Wayler, PhD presents Eating What You Want posted at A Weight Lifted.

Fiona King presents 100 Best Health Foods for Seniors | Geriatric Nursing Certification posted at Comments on: 100 Best Health Foods for Seniors.

That concludes this edition. If your post wasn't here I probably thought it was spam. Feel free to submit again and mark not spam under remarks somewhere to let me know. Thank you! Submit your blog article to the next edition of carnival of weight loss using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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