Exercise, stop making it a chore!

Nobody enjoys taking out the trash or doing the dishes or doing the never ending pile of laundry. Most people don't even enjoy mowing the lawn or going grocery shopping. Chores aren't fun. So I ask you then, why are you making your work outs a chore? Working out shouldn't be a punishment for you. I think most people see it as a disciplinary action for letting their bodies get out of shape. STOP THINKING THAT WAY! If you aren't making your work outs enjoyable you won't stick to it and you will never see changes in your body. Here are a few tips to help change your mindset:

1. Workout in a place that gives you good vibes.
If you hate the gym then you will NEVER enjoy working out in the gym. Ever. Shop around a little bit before you commit. If it doesn't feel good to you, you will certainly HATE it even more when you start paying dues every month to sweat there (or not because you probably won't end up going anyway). There is nothing wrong with working out at home. If you are more comfortable there, you are more likely to stick to a workout program. My suggestion, if you choose to work out from home, is find a trainer that will come to you to show you how to do this effectively and safely. Some of the best clients I have I train from their home. It is amazing what you will make yourself do when your comfortable with your surroundings.

2. Find something you love.
If you hate walking on the treadmill for an hour, then stop. Going to the gym and spending all that time on a piece of 'cardio' equipment is a waste of time anyway. Find the exercises you enjoy doing (mind you I'm saying "that you enjoy doing", not the exercises you find easy to do. If you aren't challenging yourself you won't get results.) and make a circuit out of them. Try a Spin class. Make your workouts work for you. If you like it, your chances of sticking with it greatly increase.

3. Define the reason 'Why'.
Why are you working out? Do you even know? How can you measure results when you haven't even set a goal? Make short, achievable goals for yourself. Write it down on a sticky note and take it with you to the gym. Put it on your water bottle so you always look at it every time you take a drink. If you see your goal you are much more likely to achieve your goal.

4. No workout works without the proper diet.
No matter the caloric expenditure, if you are leaving the gym and going straight to Whataburger thinking that an awesome source of protein is a hamburger, think again. Fast food is a fast way to sabotage all of your hard work. Eating healthy doesn't have to be strenuous or boring. Just eat a little of everything from every food group several times a day and watch your metabolism sky rocket. Exercise programming and proper diet go hand in hand. You can't successfully accomplish one without the other.