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Can’t stay on track with your fitness or health goals? Need motivation or inspiration to keep that skip in your step? As the days grow shorter, it seems those early morning runs or after work exercise classes seem harder and harder to get to. The cold weather also seems to bring on that urge for comfort foods and warm sweet drinks. For many people, this combination can bring motivation and general energy down to an all time low.

So how can we keep on top of our health goals and tackle this changing season with a new found stamina? Here are some tips and tricks to keep you active and on track:

1. Set goals
   • Setting goals can help you stay on track by giving you something to work towards. It can be the subtle reminder you need to help focus your spare time towards health, fitness and eating better. Why not try out one new recipe per week or integrate yoga into your exercise routine? Make your goals S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely) and sometimes the motivation to check that box is all you need!
2. Track it
   • Using something to track your movement, exercise, food/water intake and any other goals you might have will really enhance your health regime. Whether in the form of a diary, a daily calendar, a smart watch, heart rate monitor or even just a friendly phone reminder, your accountability in keeping your healthy lifestyle in check will improve. Perhaps you sit all day at work or forget to drink your daily 8 glasses of water – using smart technology or logging your progress can be a very helpful way to remind you of the areas you are excelling in and the areas that need work.
3. Partner up!
   • Find someone who has similar goals to you and check in with each other. One of the major barriers to exercise adherence is lack of self motivation – finding a partner or group to exercise with or even participating in exercise classes might help you make it to the gym and work harder while you are there. Find the people who will encourage you to persevere when you’re feeling tired, support you in reaching your goals and ultimately sweat with you to a healthier lifestyle.
4. Sign up in advance
   • If its in the calendar, its part of your schedule! For a lot of people, slotting exercise or health check ins into your schedule as if it was a meeting or work commitment can help give it more significance in your day. As well, most classes charge a late fee if you don’t cancel in advance which can also be a good source of motivation for not missing it when its booked early.
5. Find a form you love
   • Explore different options. There are so many forms of movement, so many different colours and spices that you can add to your food and so many different ways you can choose to express your health. Find things that inspire and excite you as these will be the easiest to maintain in your life. Do things for the long term, even if it means waiting longer for results because ultimately, these are the choices that will develop into good habits. There is no perfect way and there is no perfect form aside from that which makes you feel your best.

Cristina Trasolini, MPT, BKIN, IMS