Simple tricks to keep you on track

A lack of motivation makes it tough to stay on track but while people moan about not having enough motivation. Here are a few simple ideas to help you stick to an exercise and eating plan whether you’re motivated or not.

Convenience – plan ahead for meals and prepare in bulk

Sometimes we fail to stick to a meal plan not because we give into cravings, but because we weren’t organised. It’s easy to eat fast food because we were desperately hungry and too tired to cook.

Goal setting

If you're trying to stick to a work out plan/diet plan, it helps to have a clear idea of your goal. Just like if your saving, it helps to think about what you’re saving for. If you decide you’re training because you’d quite like to run a marathon, but what you REALLY want is to look good in a short dress at the next Xmas party, then focus on the Xmas party. Imagining yourself looking fit and healthy in a LBD will be a far more concrete and motivating image for you personally than a vague idea about doing the City to Surf.

The age old one – don’t throw the baby out with the bath water

You screwed up this morning? No biggie, get back on track for midday. Screwed up midday too? Then straighten up for tonight. One slip doesn’t mean you give up. If you have one slip up a day you’re still going to be in a better place at the end of the week then before.

Make exercise easy

Pick a gym you like. Don’t plan on 5.30am jogs if you’re not a morning person. Don’t decide to go to the gym every day at rush hour. Don’t pick a gym buddy who doesn’t make it to the gym very often. Don’t pick swimming if its winter and you hate the cold. Need I go on?