For many of us who begin exercise programs to get in shape, hitting the gym after a long, hard day at the office or taking care of the kids becomes our biggest obstacle.

Here are 12 ways to ensure you get to the gym, despite all the time and energy constraints in your life:

•  Pencil a gym trip on your calendar like you would other can’t-miss events. You are emphasizing the priority of fitness in your crowded life by consciously making time to exercise.

•  Set realistic goals to keep discouragement at bay. Is it realistic to become a muscle-bound power lifter? Focus on what you want to get out of your exercise routine.

•  Know what you’re going to do once you get to the gym. Plan ahead so that you know exactly what the trip to the gym will entail. Perhaps it's an hour of strength training or an intense spin class. Make a plan, and stick to it.

•  Have a backup plan. Something may happen that will keep you from going to the gym, but you can still work out at home with weights or cardio activities.

•  Gain support from your family. Let them know it’s all about your health. Buddy up with a friend as a way to keep you motivated.

•  Record your favorite upbeat, motivating tunes so you can listen to them while exercising. Leave out all the sad, slow songs about losing loves. What you need is tunes to keep you going.

•  Start with your least favorite exercises at the beginning of your workout. You can look forward to your favorites at the end.

•  Measure your body fat occasionally to see if your fitness program is working. Generally speaking, a body-fat percentage from the high teens to the mid-20s is considered healthy for most women, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.

•  Just get to the gym. On certain days when you’re not feeling up to par, you don’t have to perform your entire workout, but some strength or cardio training will work wonders. But once you're there, you may be surprised at a sudden change in your mood.

•  Remember the other reasons why you’re working out, other than just toning up. You’ll help reduce your risks for heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions; build strong bones; lower your cholesterol; have more energy; feel proud of yourself.

•  Get assistance from the trained staff at your fitness center– or hire a personal trainer. They can help you use proper procedures to avoid injuries and frustration, and tailor a fitness program for you. Besides, the bucks you’re paying, the trainer will motivate you to get to the gym.

•  Reward yourself when you reach a goal. Treat yourself to that new dress you’ve admired in the window of a department store, or that massage you've always wanted.

Sources: American College of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise, among others

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