Each year, people from around the world make the same New Year's resolution; to get into better shape. The only problem is that after the first few weeks they've already started to stray from their program, and by March, most have dropped off altogether. I sat down with Kristi Molinaro, one of the resident fitness advisors for FitFiend.com, a social networking site for the fitness enthusiast, to get some tips on why people have such a hard time making fitness a part of their everyday lifestyle.
Find Time – The number one excuse I hear from clients is that they can't find time to workout. If you can find time to watch TV, then you can certainly find time to workout. If traveling to the gym is an issue, invest in one or two pieces for your home. The biggest calorie burners, which also don't take up too much space, are spinning and elliptical machines.
Patience – An issue that a lot of people have when working out is that they expect too much too quickly. It's important to note that you didn't pack on the pounds overnight, so you're not going to drop them in a week.
Be Adventurous – A common mistake that people make is sticking to the same routine. Not only is this boring, but it can also slow fat burning. Try mixing things up by taking a new class. If you enjoy running, try one week of cardio on the elliptical or rowing machine. The trick is to keep your body guessing so that it is continuously burning fat.
Take a Break – At the end of a hard workout, it's important to give your body sufficient time to rest. Try alternating your weightlifting days with cardio and ab work. You can also train different muscle groups on different days so that you don't over-train. Beginners always make the same mistake of doing too much too quickly, and it's important to remember that your body needs some downtime to recover and build stronger muscle.
To find more great fitness tips and to network with other fitness fiends, check out FitFiend.com
