10 smart ways to make fitness fun again

(BPT) – There’s no arguing fitness is an important part of staying healthy, but finding time and motivation to exercise is often easier said than done. If fitness seems like a drag, it’s time to reevaluate your approach. The key to committing to a healthy lifestyle starts with making it a fun process. Here are 10 smart ways to revamp your fitness routine and have a blast at the same time.

Change it up
Bored with the treadmill? Sick of walking the same block? Mix it up and try something new. A change of scenery can be good motivation. Plan your next jog through a new park and enjoy exploring fresh trails. Move beyond boring gym walls and sign up for a salsa class. Try something new to avoid a stale fitness routine.

Go high tech
Wearable electronics are a fun way to track and stay engaged in a fitness routine. Check out the new TomTom Spark, a GPS watch that tracks all your fitness activities 24/7. With a built-in heart monitor and real time stats, you’ll stay fitness-focused. Visit www.tomtom.com to learn more.

Find a friend
Friends not only hold you accountable, they can make any fitness activity exciting. So skip the weekly coffee date and instead sign up for a class together or plan a weekly run. Gift your loved ones a TomTom Spark and everyone can work together while tracking their fitness progress.

Celebrate mini goals
One of the most enjoyable parts of fitness is feeling proud of the progress you’ve made, but if you set extreme goals, you’ll always feel like you’re failing. Instead, set mini goals and celebrate small milestones. Whether it’s walking an extra mile or finally mastering that tough yoga pose, you deserve to celebrate.

Groove to music
You know how you feel when a favorite tune comes on and you just want to sing or dance? Music is an effective way to keep you grooving through a tough workout. Always have your favorite songs close on hand when you load up your TomTom Spark. It holds up to 500 songs that can be streamed wirelessly so you can rock any workout.

Embrace play
Children don’t need to work out because they get exercise through active play. Take cue and add a little play to your schedule for a fun fitness boost. Sign up to coach the kids’ soccer team. Climb that awesome looking jungle gym. Don’t just moderate the neighborhood game of tag; join in the fun.

Select a show
The average American age 15 and older watches 2.8 hours of television per day, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics American Time Use Survey. Reinvent TV time by finding a show you really enjoy and commit to working out while watching it. Working up a sweat has never been more entertaining.

Sign up for an event
Fun runs and obstacle courses are regularly scheduled in cities throughout the country. Pick one, sign up with a friend and start training. Remember, start small and have fun. If you’ve never done one before, enter a 5k run (3.1 miles). Then chart your progress as you train for 10-12 week prior.

Play with Fido
Do you have a dog? Furry family members need exercise, too. You can burn calories and spend some quality time with man’s best friend by planning regular walks and visits to the dog park. Simply playing catch in the backyard can be an enjoyable way for you both to burn some calories.

Reward yourself
When you hit a fitness goal, reward your efforts. Striving to fit into those size 6 jeans again? Once you make it there, indulge in a night of dancing. Want to run a mile in under 8 minutes? When you get your PR, buy that designer handbag you’ve been eyeing.