Secrets of Home Cardio Workouts & Workout Inspiration, Part 2 - Top Ten Tips

In Part 1 of the home cardio workouts article I shared my favorite tool, it's actually my secret-weapon for regular workouts and inspiration, Cardio Coach.

To read, Part 1 of this article about one of the best cardio workouts available, click here.

Here are some of the things I do to help me stay focused on taking to take time, to take care of myself.

I don't use them all the time, but they are things that I go back to when I find myself walking past the home gym and not into it!

Be sure to share your top tips for home cardio workouts and workout inspiration in the comment box, below my 10+1 tips.

1. I pre-pave my intention to work out. This means I do things that get my mind and body in the workout mode.

   For example, I might take a few minutes to lay my work clothes, shoes and even my hair bow in a prominent place the night before a workout, so I have to see it, even step over it when I wake up. I'll also tell my husband that I'm going to workout.

   Or, the night before I set out my iPod and decide in advance which Cardio Coach program I'm going to do the next day.

2. Read magazines and books that inspire me and get me thinking and feeling the 'workout vibe'. I keep something with me all the time so I can flip through at lunch, in the kitchen while cooking or while standing in lines somewhere.

   My favorites include: Shape Magazine, Oxygen Magazine and Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle eBook.

3. Wear workout clothes and shoes that feel good to me. Even if no one else is going to see me, I am focused on home cardio workouts so I can feel good, so why would I wear something that feels unattractive and sloppy? I don't.

   My favorites shopping spots are for workout wear include: good quality, lower-priced Target; little more pricey, but very cute-TJMaxx, and the higher-end but oh so nice, The Lucy store.

4. I get online and participate in workout forums. "Talking" to or just reading what others, who are also focused on fitness and well-being, can provide additional support and drive when I'm not feeling it on my own. My favorite forums are at: Cathe.com and the Burn the Fat Inner Circle Online Fat Loss Community.
5. Make a list of all the reasons you work out by answering this question: "I workout because..." OR "Here's what I get from exercising..."

   Don't stop writing until you've written at least two pages.

   Now, read this list every day for a month, before you workout. It works. It's like one long affirmation to yourself, to remind yourself why you're making the time to move your body.

"Lack of activity destroys the good condition
of every human being, while movement and methodical
physical exercise save it and preserve it."
---Plato

6. Listen to amazing music. Stuff that pumps you up and keeps you going. My favorites include all of the Cardio Coach downloads, plus Fergie, Kelly Clarkson, Lenny Kravitz, Anastacia and more. Shape Magazine online also offers home workout cardio play lists that are usually pretty good.
7. If I'm not energized, but my body feels okay, I'm not sick or anything, I'll tell myself "Hey, just get on there for 10 minutes. If I don't get it into it by then, I can quit." Well, 95% of the time, after ten minutes, I'm warmed up and I don't want to quit. Works almost every time...
8. Drink water, water, water. This is crucial to energy and if you're dehydrated you'll have low energy. Drink water, water, water. I used the Hydracoach to get me in the habit.
9. When I'm sick or just do not want to work out - I don't. I'm working out to feel good, and if working out is going to make me feel worse, I give myself a pass and decide that there will be no guilt trip about it. I just allow myself to take rest.
10. Every day I pick six things that I commit to myself to complete. (Like most people I may have 100 things I need/want to do...) These are the six things I absolutely commit to doing that day.

    And one of them is almost always - "do at least 30 minutes of exercise." By not overwhelming myself with a huge to do list, I can stay committed to taking care of myself too... it focuses me and how I use my time.

11. AND one more for good measure, you know I can't leave this out, I use Cardio Coach. It's my secret weapon to regular, high energy, good-feeling home cardio workouts!

Share Your Top Tips Here

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