It is a new year and you have decided this is the year you are going to get into good shape. You have it all figured out. You find a gym, a class, and you even have a cute workout outfit picked out. That is wonderful. What you need to know is that most people are motivated at the beginning of a fitness program but they tend to fall off the wagon after several weeks. The key is to stay motivated and adopt simple techniques that will serve you throughout the year and your life. Here are a few:

1. If you are mindful, you will begin to notice how much better you feel by eating healthy, moving and losing weight. That in and of itself will be motivating.

2. Set small, reachable goals. The best example of this was an interview I heard on the Today show. A woman who had lost 100 pounds said that she looked at her weight loss as losing ten pounds ten times. She basically set out to lose 10 pounds at a time. If she had looked at losing 100 pounds it would have felt impossible.

3. Reward yourself when you reach your goal with something other than food! It could be something small such as a CD or a new purse or briefcase. It could be big such as a vacation or money that you reward yourself with.

4. Don’t do it alone. It helps to have the motivation of your friends and family. Just as being overweight can be contagious so can improving attitudes towards food and lifestyle changes. Including a family member or friend in your program can increase your chance of success.

5. If you can’t find a friend or family member to join your program, consider using a trainer or nutritionist. Even if you only meet with them once a month, you will have someone to support you and to be accountable to. It can really help.

Good luck with your workout routine. Following these few small tips can make a big difference in how you feel and help you to succeed.