Summer is just around the corner. Remember when you said you were going to exercise more this year to get in shape for summer? Did that exercise program somehow fade away? Well, fear not, because we are going to get you back on track today with a quick motivation booster- and a game plan.

First the motivation booster:

To get the motivation levels up, write down your answers to these questions:

If I don’t exercise:

·        How will I look this summer?

·        How will I feel this summer?

·        What will my health be like in 5 years?

·        How will my health affect family and friends?   

Most people find that doing this helps to remind them of why they decided to exercise in the first place and it gives the motivation a boost.

Now with your motivation up—move on to the game plan.

It goes back to SMART skills—and look at how simple this is

1. Set a new exercise goal. Start fresh today with a realistic goal for the summer. It’s better to keep it easy at first you can always get more difficult. 

2. Monitor your exercise. Keeping track of what you are doing is going to help you actually do it. So grab that calendar, put it on the fridge and mark down every time you exercise

3. Arrange for success.  If you plan to exercise in the morning- take your clothes out the night before, if you want to exercise on the way home from work, make sure your gym bag is packed and in the car.

4. Recruit a support team. Ask friends and family members to provide support.

5. Treat your actions. Remember- behaviors that are rewarded are more likely to occur. So plan out how you are going to treat yourself for sticking with your new exercise goals.

It can be discouraging to not reach your exercise goals. But put this in perspective; it is never too late to get back on track and the smart strategy will help you reach your goals in no time.