Each year at about this time, after the holidays have closed and the new year approaches, I get to thinking about the things that I want to accomplish in the next year.  I know it might seem silly, but I like New Year’s resolutions and I really like the idea that I am trying to better myself.  Two years ago I was thinking about my goals, and the one at the top of my list was to get fit.  It was not a desire just to lose weight and become thinner, I wanted a healthy and fit body.  So I did what a lot of people do and what I had done in the past and I got a gym membership.  Only that time it stuck.  If you have had trouble getting your New Year’s resolution to get into the gym to stick and for good, here are some things that I learned along the way.

• You will never ever regret going to a workout, but you will certainly always regret missing one.  We all do it.  We sit their pondering over whether we should go sweat it all out at the gym.  Some days we’re lazy, some we’re tired, and a lot of the days we just don’t want to, period.  Even if it is just a thirty minute walk on the treadmill, you will likely feel better after exercising.
• You have to make the time for the gym, otherwise you probably won’t go.  In the past when I tried the gym I would think that I would go if I had the time in the day.  If I woke up early enough or got out of work at a decent hour, I could maybe swing by the gym.  Unfortunately I still hit that snooze button each morning and when I would leave work I just wanted to go home.  The way my workouts stuck was when I started putting the workouts on my calendar.  My day was scheduled around my gym time, and it still is.
• A gym buddy is your best tool.  I know that going to the gym alone can be incredibly intimidating.  I have spent so much money on wasted memberships because of this.  A pal to workout with will change your outlook all together and motivate you to show up and work your butt off.