How To Keep Your Fitness Goals

January is the month that all gym rats dread. Hordes of people swarm their previously clean and uncluttered health clubs. They hog equipment, leave weights on the machines, and rudely ignore all hygiene and gym etiquette. By the time February rolls around most of them have evaporated in a mist of sullen sweat and unfinished sets. This isn't you though, right? You made a goal to join the gym and stick with it. You've embarked on a search for your long lost abs and waist and by God, you're going to find them! It's not always easy though, even for the most dedicated fitness freak. Here are some ways to stay motivated when you just want to go home and order a pizza.

1) If you've been working out for six weeks and hopefully eating a more healthy diet, than you must feel and see some kind of results. Before you start slacking off think about how hard you've worked! It's all you; nobody else did the work to make you lose those pounds and inches. Even if the progress is slow, it's still progress forward. So steel your resolve, refocus your goals, and work out!

2) Get to know some of the people at your gym. We're all in the same boat and sometimes it helps to commiserate with others when you're feeling less than jazzed. I've heard some really motivating stories that got me excited about working out again. This doesn't mean spend all your time chatting though-you're there to burn, not to churn!

3) Do some research. You've probably done some reading on fitness already, especially if you've been working out for a while. There's a mountain of information out there in the form of magazines, books, and websites. Subscribe to a favorite fitness magazine, or go to your local library and check out a couple of books on exercise. Most magazines have an informational website. You can learn more about your body, exercise and exciting new classes that you might want to try.