7 tips for maintaining fitness motivation

4. Find a workout environment you like that caters to your needs.
Do you like the ambience (atmosphere, wall colour, music, condition of the equipment) and the range of services offered (such as nutritional counselling and stress-management coaching)? Is it too crowded? Create or find an environment that works for you.

5. Slip into a workout mentality before you get to the gym.
Think about all the plusses of working out: how great you'll feel afterward, your increased self-respect and energy and your decreased tension. Before you get out of your car, visualize the gym ambience and feel yourself begin to go through the paces and engage in the workout, enjoying the surroundings, the sounds, the people, the exertion and feeling good about yourself. The purpose: To mentally get yourself into the mood.

6. If you need someone to push you, look for a workout partner.
With a partner you'll have two people's energy to get you going. Look for a workout partner who has goals that are similar to yours.

7. Schedule regular workout times and treat them as you would any other important commitment.
If you can't find 60 minutes for yourself a few times a week, you're either overscheduled or you don't value yourself enough. Get your kids and husband to help keep you on track. Tell them that staying in shape mentally and physically helps you be the best mother and wife you can be. Maybe Dad will watch the kids while you work out. After all, if you start feeling better, your partner will likely be happier, too.

If you always have one more obligation or crisis that you think is more important than working out, remember that, as well as improving your self-image, working out will help you release stress and work through problems. How? Your negative energy is consumed during physical activity and, as you get fit, your body works more efficiently. As well, working out releases endorphins, peptides that react with the brain's opiate receptors to make you feel better.

Don't beat yourself up if you miss the occasional workout or if you fall short of your goals. Show yourself respect and understanding when you slip up. Just decide to make it up to yourself by getting back on track and continuing with your motivated, determined workouts.

For more information, visit www.incrediblechange.com.