Making This Your Best Fitness Year Ever!

Maybe you have recently started an exercise program and now you want to get more serious about your routine. Or, maybe you have been exercising for awhile, but you feel like you are going around in circles. Here are four ways to make 1996 your best fitness year ever:

Stay Consistent.
Lack of consistency is one of the main reasons people fail to see results from their fitness programs. Try to average at least three workouts per week.

Set Monthly or Quarterly Goals for Number of Sessions Rather Than Weekly.
Try setting up a weekly schedule that includes exercise time built in along with your other priorities. Find a partner, a class, or a personal trainer if that is what you need to stay on track. If your schedule gets crazy because of work, travel or family events, maintain a scaled-back version of your program until things improve, but don't stop.

Work Out With A Purpose
Focus your efforts so that you get the most out of each one of your workouts. Make sure that you are working within an appropriate heart rate range. The body responds to variety-include shorter, more intense workouts along with longer endurance sessions in your routine. Challenge yourself occasionally so that you continue to improve. (Staying focused does not mean all hard work-important parts of a planned program are rest days, easy days and fun days.)

Add Strength Training to your Routine.
The decline in muscle mass and strength that occurs with aging can be even more pronounced than the decline in aerobic fitness. Increased muscle strength can make everyday tasks easier and significantly improve quality of life. More and more, research studies are suggesting that a combination of strength and aerobic exercises may be the best way to lose fat and improve body composition. Strength training programs can be designed for persons of any age, and results can be seen with as little as two 20-minutes sessions per week.

Stretch More Before and After Workouts.
Stretching is an important part of a workout routine that is often ignored. Lack of flexibility can be a major contributor to injury. Stretching is especially important for older adults. Stretching can make physical movements easier and help reduce chronic pain. Static stretches are best—avoid ballistic or "bouncing" stretches. Assume a posture until you feel a gentle stretch in the target muscle group(s). Relax the rest of your body and hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Try not to strain or hold your breath.