SPRINGER: Fitness: Become your own trainer

As a personal trainer, part of what I "sell" to clients is motivation.

Digging in and finding that inner drive to continue with an exercise program is tough. Although you might have the desire to change, taking those first steps toward better health can be one of the biggest challenges.

Become your own trainer. Although good trainers are not made overnight, you can start training your brain by gathering up as much information as you can.

Start with simple magazines like Shape and Men's Fitness. They offer easy-to-follow tips with pictured illustrations. Plus, these types of magazines offer motivational stories of people who have made the commitment to exercise and have changed their life.

Once you become familiar with the basics of an exercise program, gather even more info. The learning process never stops, so seek out more advanced books that offer different principles on training.

Also, search the Internet for courses that might be offered in your area. As your own client, you owe it to yourself to become informed on safe and effective exercises.

The next step to take for getting yourself motivated is to set a plan. Write down your exact goals and dissect it into small increments.

Don't expect to go from A to Z in one month. Create landmarks along the way, whether it is pounds lost or workouts accomplished. Constantly update your goals to make them realistic and also fit your lifestyle.

The best time of day to get your workout in is when you will do it. This sounds simple but finding the time of day that you are most alert and most likely to exercise is best for you.

Analyze your past attempts to exercise. Are you the type who puts it off until the end of the day only to skip it? Do your afternoon workouts leave you lacking in energy? Change things up by adjusting when and where you exercise.

Once you find the best time of day to exercise for you, schedule this appointment into your planner permanently. Yes, life can be hectic and some days are out of your control. However, getting back on track the next day is crucial.

By missing too many days and working out erratically, you will break the habit you have cultivated.

A common problem with staying motivated is getting over plateaus. First acknowledge that exercise is and must be an ongoing part of your life. An exercise program is not something you can do as a temporary fix and then discontinue it. It is a journey that really never ends.

Yes, we all get burned out and find ourselves in exercise ruts. Make some changes. Change your environment or the stimuli.

For example, if you usually exercise with the television on, turn it off and play some high-energy music. If you always exercise at the same gym or in the same room of your home, move yourself. Now that the weather is nice, why not move your workout to the back yard?

Finally, don't neglect the power of rewarding yourself for your hard work. Treat yourself to new exercise clothes, a massage or a new piece of exercise equipment for reaching goals or simply for staying on track.

Kim Springer and her husband, Mike, are Certified Personal Trainers and owners of Springer Training. They can be reached at 233-9442 or at their Web site www.springertraining.com.


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