best way to stick to a work out plan?

over your bed or on your mirrors, tape up some kind of motivational message.

e.g. "nothing tastes as good as thin feels", "do your exercises", "no pain no gain", etc. etc.

also, if you work out on a bike, elliptical, or treadmill, do it when a favorite show comes on

Start to think of your workout time as something you look forward to, for instance Time To Think. Pick a goal you know you can accomplish, and then accomplish it. When you feel you can push yourself a little and still accomplish the new goal, push it out a bit. After not very long, you'll build a sense of competition with yourself and start to value beating those goals.

Remember that progress will not be steady. There will be weeks where you don't lose any weight, or don't go longer on the treadmill, or whatever. That's OK, just keep it up.

Get a heart rate monitor so that you KNOW how you are doing and don't just guess. Get wicking fabric workout clothes so you don't sweat like crazy and then get cold.

Change up what you do. Many people recommend alternating cardio and strength days to give your body a chance to catch up with itself. It's also less boring that way.

Get an MP3 player with a built in FM radio tuner and earbuds so that you can listen to the TV or cardio theater or whatever they have at the gym, or at the very least to your music. It will make the time go faster.

Log your accomplishments so that you can see your progress over the long haul.

When I started working out three years ago, I couldn't do squat. I am talking about a SERIOUS inability to do pushups (maybe 15?), run even a mile, and so on. I'm STILL trying to make progress, but yesterday I did 61 pushups, and the previous week ran 8 miles and did 20 pullups. For me, I probably won't exceed those goals for a good long while yet, but just trying is something to look forward to.

And I love the time to think.

Whenever I start an exercise program I will always set a goal that I will be able to achieve within the first 2 weeks. That way I see results early and it motivates me to keep going.

After this I will continue to set more and more goals that I can acomplish every 1 or 2 weeks in order to keep me motivated.

Setting heaps of achievable short term goals makes it feel like your making heaps of progress and will keep you motivated and in acomplishing these little goals you're also working towards acomplishing your 'big' goal.

So even if your goal is 2 years off you'll never give up on it because you're frequently making progress.

If it was a 2 monthly goal I would also set monthly and 6 monthly goals as well.

Set some kind of goal. I bought a really cute skirt but two sizes too small. That way to wear it, I had to work out and lose weight. It really does work! But the goal could be anything. That and have a friend do it with you! That way, you have someone supporting you and making you work out even if you don't want to!

hey I have your exact problem. i'm almost 18 and my senior trip to the beach with my church group is one month away and I am soo flabby but i have no motivation/dedication to go to the gym. All i can do is sit around thinking about me in my "football days" and get even more depressed lol.

u need goals and rewards to stick with anything. Think back to when you were growing up or if you know of someone young how do parents keep them on track or get them to do something? They reward.

Use the buddy system.

go with someone who'll keep you motivated... guy/girl you sorta like... someone who looks to you for workout advice... etc.

motivation, *)