I’m bored. I’m busy. My friends aren’t doing it – so why should I?

There are many different reasons why people don’t start (or stick to) an exercise routine. But there are also many different ways to make sure that doesn’t happen to you! Read on to find out how to set goals, stay motivated and achieve success:

Set goals.

Before you start working out, it’s important to think about what is you want to accomplish. Are you looking to burn fat, build muscle or just tone up? Setting both short- and long-term goals will help you stay on track.

For example, let’s say you have 50 lbs to lose over the course of 12 weeks. By setting a smaller weight loss goal of 4 lbs per week, you can stay focused without worrying about the bigger picture. Every week, your short-term successes will bring you one step closer to accomplishing your long-term goal!

Plan ahead.

Once you set specific goals, be sure to plan out your weekly exercises ahead of time. If you have an area of weakness or a specific exercise you dread, be sure to schedule it early in the week or early in your workout -  getting it out of the way will give you a confidence boost to help you finish the rest of your workout!

No excuses.

Bored with your workout? Instead of giving up, switch things up. Find a new activity or a new way to work out the same group of muscles. If you usually do cardio at the gym, go for a jog outside instead. Instead of spin, try a boot camp class. Changing up your routine is a great way to “wake up” your body both physically and mentally.

Peer pressure is another common excuse for skipping workouts. Find a friend who shares your passion for health and fitness, and use them as motivation. When you have a gym buddy, you can help push each other to reach your goals and achieve success!

Get fitness and sports nutrition tips from personal trainer Deniz Duygulu, an International Federation of BodyBuilders Men’s Physique pro athlete. Like Deniz on Facebook to watch videos demonstrating correct form and for advice on fueling effectively.