Motivation tips offered to achieve fitness

SCHILLER PARK, Ill., Dec. 26 (UPI) -- For those putting fitness at the top of their New Year's resolutions, U.S. fitness experts suggest signing up for a race to stay motivated.

Fitness experts at Life Fitness, a firm that designs and manufactures exercise equipment, suggest taking a deep breath after a stressful season of juggling job demands, family responsibilities, gift shopping and holiday partying to plan how to stay motivated in a fitness plan for 2010.

Some New Year's resolution suggestions from the exercise experts at Life Fitness include:

-- Sign up for a race once a month, whether it's a swim competition at the local fitness center, a triathlon, or a 5K walk or fun run to raise money for a charity. Knowing hundreds, if not thousands, of people will be cheering you on as you cross the finish line will keep you motivated to train.

-- Find a fitness friend. The buddy system will keep you on track to exercise and eat right.

-- Do what you think is fun. Some find a casual walk outside preferable to walking on the treadmill.

-- Sign up for classes or activities. You'll be more likely to show up to exercise if people are expecting you on a regular basis.