"There's

nothing wrong with resolving to get fit, but so many resolutions fail

because they approach fitness in the wrong way," said Jeff Fliehs,

director, Life Time Fitness personal training. "Any time is a good

time to get started on a fitness program; don't be discouraged if you

haven't started the year off just the way you'd hoped."

Fliehs shares

Life Time Fitness' tips for rescuing your fitness resolution:

1. Relax. Remember

that fitness is a continuous pursuit. You have the rest of your life to

improve it -- not just this winter or before swimsuit season starts. The

goal is to improve a little bit every day, not to go from couch potato

to triathelete in three weeks. Don't put too much pressure on yourself

or you'll set yourself up for frustration and failure.

2. Research.

Give some forethought to your fitness approach. Many fling themselves

into running or working with equipment without thinking if they really

like it. Find something you like to do, because you're much more likely

to stick with it if you do. And collect information about your body --

things like weight, pulse rate, body fat content -- before you start.

3. Reach short-term

goals. Know where you're at to begin with, so you can decide where you

want to go. List some achievable, measurable targets by which to track

your progress. A personal trainer is great for helping you determine what

these goals should be. Remember that a complete fitness program should

incorporate fitness, nutrition and education for optimum results.

4. Reality

check. Many fitness resolutions are too aggressive or even impossible.

Be realistic. If you've been sedentary for years, a walk around the block

may equal success. Good fitness is gradual, measured improvement. No matter

what the television says, you're not going to have perfect abs or the

body you had 20 years ago in 10 minutes a day. If you think you will,

you're bound to fail.

5. Review.

Know that you'll have to make adjustments and course corrections along

the way. Track your progress and listen to your body. If something doesn't

feel right, don't force it. If you start running and it bores you to tears,

try something else. Try mixing activities to keep the interest level high.

Resolving to

be fit is important, but it's also important to have a reasonable plan,

to have good information about how to succeed and to make sure that your

goals are achievable and reasonable. With this approach, short-term setbacks

won't cause long-term failure. It's never too late to start again and

start right.

For more information

on Life Time Fitness, visit www.lifetimefitness.com.

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