7 Ways to Keep From Getting Discouraged at the Gym

By Tim Williams • November 22, 2009

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-21 09:56:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Related Posts

Is a Vegan Detox Right For You? After Oprah tried her vegan detox, suddenly, this became a very popular way to lose weight and start feeling better. However, it is definitely not for everyone. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why this detox can be very beneficial and why it may not be the……
6 Ways to Tell When Exercise Is Hurting You We’ve all been conditioned to think that unless we “feel the burn” we’re not working hard enough when we exercise. However, there is a fine line between reaching that optimum fat burning zone and over doing it. Here are some tips to help you figure out when your exercise is……
Weight Lost: 47 pounds in 7 weeks… Under 1 Pound Weight Loss This Week After 7 weeks on the medically assisted weightless program JumpStart medicine with Dr. Sean Bourke, I have lost 47 pounds in 52 days. This week I lost 0.6 pounds and achieved only 11.1% of my weekly goal. I highly recommed Jumpstart. I have a special offer for anyone in wanting……
Is Your Brain Keeping You From Losing Weight? We all know that the mind is our most powerful muscle, but what do you do if your mind is working against your diet plan? Few of us realize just how much we beat ourselves up mentally, setting ourselves up for failure before we even try. If you’re ready to……
5 More Tips for Beginning a Wellness Program It is never too late for you to begin a journey in health and wellness. Here is five of ten tips that you can begin today in order to build a foundation for your health and wellness program. 1 – Take Every Step One At a Time – What happens……