Creating change for the better!

We all know that exercise is good for you.   But how do you take your sporadic, on again, off again exercise routine and turn it into a lifelong habit?

Here are 10 tips to help make the lifestyle change you are seeking.

1. Why are you exercising? Are you trying to get in shape for an upcoming event? Do you want to lose weight, sleep better, increase your energy, gain strength, add muscle tone and flexibility, or just feel a heightened sense of well being?  Your decision to exercise must be for yourself, and not for your partner, spouse, or other outside influence.

2. Set goals. Set both a short term goal, to achieve in three to six weeks, and a long term goal, to achieve over the course of a year. Make sure your goals are achievable enough that they are not discouraging, but high enough that you have an incentive to tie your workout shoes each day. It is also important that your goals are specific and directly related to your specific reason for exercising.   Create new goals every 6 weeks so that you are always reaching towards something new.

3. Keep a workout log. Keep track of your progress in regard to your specific goals.

4. Take pictures of yourself each month so you have a visual record of your results.

5. Make sure you are using proper technique. Hire a trainer to instruct you on how to perform exercises safely  You want to avoid injury, above all, so check with a doctor or trainer if you experience any pain, or if you are not sure whether you are doing a particular exercise correctly.

6. Join an online community, such as WeightWatchers.com or Ediets.com, which encourages you to log and track your exercise each day.

7. Workout with a buddy . A  friend can help hold you accountable for those daily workouts and you get to fit some social time into your busy schedule , while benefiting both of your bodies.

8. Join a group that combines fitness goals with a charity or fundraising event.  This is a healthful way to give back to your community while benefiting your health.

9. Find something fun to do while you exercise that makes the time go by.  Some good heart pumping music or asuspenseful audio book may be all you need to get on those running shoes each day.

10. Mark it on your calendar after you have completed a workout.  Make it fun by adding a Gold star to the sessions that you really knocked out of the park.  The added excitement of seeing all those completed workouts on the colander will help give you the motivation to push on when the going gets tough, or your excuses get going .