workout motivation

The start of any new fitness regimen can be full of many unknowns, like how much you should be exercising and how to do basic strength-training moves. One more important aspect of your new exercise routine you shouldn't ignore? Finding the right fit for you.

While it can be easy to sign up for the closest gym or just tag along with your friends to Pilates class, if you don't take time to find a workout you actually like, then your new beginner's enthusiasm might wane into pre-workout dread — and neglect — before you know it. So take time out to try everything to find what you really love, says Natalie Uhling, a kickboxing and SLT Yoga instructor who found her perfect fitness fit — loud music and lots of movement and intensity — after a lot of trial and error. "I've tried every exercise you can imagine," she told us. "I know what I like."

Follow Natalie's advice and think outside your exercise box. "Take everything. Even if you're like, 'Oh, that description doesn't sound like something I would do' — take it all," she advises. Once you've figured out your fit, take note of what gets you excited to work out. "Do what's best for you, not what your friends do and not what someone's telling you to do," she says. "Do what you love to do, and then you'll be able to incorporate it into your life." And don't let embarrassment keep you from trying that new hip-hop dance class. "Don't be afraid to try anything," she adds. "I've looked like a total fool in tons of classes."

If New Year's resolutions are any indication, many of us are neglecting our workout regimens as the year winds down. While some reasons to cut back or skip a workout are valid, clinging to too many workout excuses will only make it that much harder to whip yourself back into shape come January. Don't let that be you — check out our solutions to five excuses you just may have been making this holiday season!

1. I don't have any time: We know — it's hard to fit in a workout when you've got to make a list, check it twice, and then madly dash from store to store to finish it. Gift-giving and holiday cheer can be fun but exhausting, so it's no wonder that your workout is often the first to go out the window when time is tight.

   Solution: There's no need to look at your workout as an all-or-nothing event. Instead, aim for at least 20 minutes a day, no matter how you split it up, and then commit to a few minutes here and there throughout your day. It can be as easy as doing 10 minutes of a workout DVD before you shower in the morning or going for a brisk walk at lunch. Changing your way of thinking of a workout from a block of time in your day to a running tally will help you burn more calories throughout the season.

2. It's too cold out: Cold, dark Winter evenings aren't very welcoming to outdoor exercisers. And if you don't belong to a gym, that uninviting environment can sabotage your cardio plans.

   Solution: 'Tis the season to finally convince yourself to wake up in the morning to work out. It saves you time — since you'll get it over and done with and be able to go on with your day — and running or biking outside in the daylight can motivate you more. Make sure you dress the part so you stay comfortable with our tips for dressing for Winter workouts. If going outside is just not an option, try one of our equipment-free indoor cardio workouts you can do anywhere.

3. I'll just start in January: Merriment abounds this month, so this routine may sound familiar — indulge throughout the month, feel guilty, and vow to get back in shape in the New Year. But another part of the puzzle is just as familiar for many — that inevitable point in January or February when resolutions become a distant memory and we revert back to old habits.

   Solution: Get a head start with your fitness routine now, and you'll be more likely to stick with it. Not only will just a few minutes of exercise a day this month help you enjoy all the indulgent holiday offerings without feeling guilty, but you'll develop the skills you need to reconcile working out with your lifestyle when times get busy next year. Don't know where to start? No matter what your exercise of choice, check out our beginner fitness tips to get started.

Read on for the rest of the list.

If waking up early to work out isn't an option, then commit to evening workouts even when it feels like a struggle. Instead of skipping your workout yet another night, take these tips to heart for continued fitness success.

Go straight from work: If you head straight home after a long day, you won't be as likely to stick to your workout — some nights that couch looks too inviting! Instead of making a pit stop at home, prep all your workout clothes the night before and bring your gym bag with you to work. If you need to stop at home before your workout, don't spend time sitting on the couch or catching up on calls. Drop your things, change clothes, and get moving.

Have a reward ready: Knowing that there's something fun ready for you after a workout will keep you on track. Whether it's a favorite show on the DVR or a date in bed with a new book, think about how amazing it will feel to relax and recuperate after you've gotten a serious workout under your belt.

Keep reading for more ways to stick to your evening workout.

I love to run, but sometimes my cardio workout can seem more like a chore than a choice. There are just days when I don't want to lace up my sneakers. Feeling like your routine is getting monotonous isn't a good reason to skip out — here are a few ways you can make sure your regular run isn't boring.

Find a new route: Here's a no-brainer — if you're feeling like you can't spend another day on the same trail, it's time to find a new one. Running apps make this task easy; one of the best is MapMyRun (free; available on iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry), which allows you to search popular routes near you. Check out more of our favorite running apps here.

Choose your music carefully: The wrong music can put a damper on your workout, so make sure you're loaded up with enough heart-pumping songs to get you moving. Check out our list of playlists for runners (including this 35-minute one that's perfect for running intervals) to load up on your phone's Spotify app.

Reward yourself: There's nothing wrong with a little healthy incentive, so if you're dragging your feet, make yourself a deal: a fancy cup of coffee postrun or couch time with your favorite TV show at the finish line.

Track your progress: Knowing how much you've improved as a runner can sometimes be all the incentive you need to power through your run. Most smartphone running apps collect your data to track your progress online; if you're ready to invest in a fitness tracker, here are five fitness trackers to try.

Some people love to start their week with an energizing workout, while others want to ease into their week — especially if it's after a particularly exhausting weekend. If you're starting out your week without the bang, here are three "way better than nothing" ideas for you to do today that are easy to commit to.

1. Get your heart rate up: I love the philosophy of making sure you sweat every day, no matter how little time you have to devote to exercising. Working up a sweat daily isn't just good for your waistline — getting just a few minutes of exercise a day is key to keeping your heart young and healthy.

   Try it: Just 10 minutes of jumping jacks burns almost 90 calories, and taking the stairs to get to your office will burn eight calories per minute. (Feeling motivated? Combine these easy moves with a few others for an effective 250-calorie-burning workout.)

2. Complement your regular routine: If you're saving your big sweat sessions for later in the week, take some time today to complement your normal workout routine with a low-intensity workout that stretches and rejuvenates your muscles. Flexibility training is just as important as other elements in your routine, so it's a great option if you're not in the mood to run your heart out on the treadmill.

   Try it: A 90-minute Hatha yoga class reenergizes you while burning 283 calories, or take an hour-long Pilates class and burn 144 calories while you stretch and strengthen your muscles.

3. Go for big: Whether it's because you're pressed for time or because you're dragging your feet when it comes to your daily workout, if you're not devoting a lot of time to strength training, focus on your big muscle groups, like your quads, back, or glutes, during your short session. You'll burn more calories and boost your metabolism by activating a larger area of muscle fibers than if you stuck with small muscle groups.

   Try it: Work all of those big muscle groups with our 10-minute total-body Class FitSugar workouts.

You've suited up and trekked your way to the gym, so why stop there? Make sure you don't waste time at the gym with these tips that'll keep you sweating and burning calories.

Intervals, intervals, intervals: One of the best ways to push your endurance and strength to your limits is to do high-intensity interval training, or HIIT. Not only does doing intervals burn more calories, but HIIT helps you increase your endurance as well burn belly fat — all in a shorter amount of time.

Save the gossip. A workout buddy is great for motivating you to get to the gym, but once you both are there, don't waste your time by making the hour more about catching up than burning calories. Instead, save the gossip for your post-workout refuel. Nothing like the promise of a good long chat to motivate you to finish your workout fast.

Keep reading for more ways to increase your intensity at the gym.