Ladies who have been working out for a while who have not seen any changes in themselves might want to:

Set Realistic Goals. If you are only working out 30 minutes a day, two times a week and want to lose 30 pounds in a month and become a marathon runner, is this really realistic? Not! You have to be honest with yourself about what you’re capable of, and your commitment to yourself and lifestyle. If you start from where you are today and progress slowly, you will not set yourself up for disappointment.

Change Your Workouts. If you have not changed your routine in three months, and have hit a plateau, modify your workout every few weeks. If you have just been walking outside or on the treadmill you can walk for five minutes and try to jog or run for one minute. If you have just been lifting weights, you can switch to little circuits—pushups, squats, 30-second jumping jacks—just use your bodyweight and repeat three times with no rest. Feel the burn? Again, you need to start at your fitness level.

Form is essential to achieving results. I can’t stress how important this is, with any type of exercise—strength training especially. You can get injured if you are not exercising properly. Getting advice from a friend or the Internet might not be the right advice for you. What works for one person may not work for another. Work with a professional trainer who can design a safe and effective program tailored to you!

Happy Valentines Day!