I enjoy working out and staying active. But usually, I find myself wavering in my commitment to staying fit every now and then. I can never seem to maintain consistency. I’ll workout for a few weeks and then take a week off, and before you know it, that week has turned into several weeks. Then I’ll feel gross and find myself thinking, "ugh, I need to hit the gym." Here are a few things I’m doing to stay motivated:

1. Sign up for a race.

Recently I’ve enjoyed completing triathlons and half marathons. (I have an obstacle course race coming up in August.) Participating in races gives you a goal to achieve, and you have to train to reach that goal. Whether it be finishing the race in a certain time, or just finishing the race. You’re going to have to put in some effort to get there. That can be very motivating to workout and train hard. Also, since you usually have to pay for these races, there is also the financial incentive not to waste your money.

2. Download for the PACT app.

If financial incentive is the only way, you’ll get moving. You should download the PACT app. The app literally pays you to work out. You sign up and set a weekly gym attendance goal. For example, I’m going to go to the gym 4 times a week. Then you check into the gym you attend or record your workout through the app. The app also penalizes you in the form of a small fee if you miss your goal.

3. Take your dog or your neighbor’s dog for a walk/run.

I recently started running with my dog. He’s great at keeping me motivated to run faster and longer. If you don’t have a dog, you can offer to take your friend’s. And of course, you don’t have to run with them. You can always walk.

4. Workout with a buddy.

This one goes without saying. But having a friend to workout with and keep you accountable is a great way to stay motivated. You can push each other to workout harder or try more challenging workouts. I especially like going to an exercise class with a friend. It’s less intimidating when you and a friend are learning new moves together.

5. Follow a fitness inspiration page on Instagram.

When my motivation drops, I like to get inspired but how far other people have come. I’ll look at before and after photos or workout videos to motivate me to change up my routine. Seeing how fit other people have become gives me an idea of how I could look if I just keep pushing harder.

Whether you have a specific fitness goal or if you're just trying to stay active, I hope these tips will give you some ideas of how to stay on track.