Have you lost that lovin’ feeling with your fitness routine? Is working out starting to feel more like a nagging chore than a fun pick-me-up? If so, it’s time to get the passion back. These six simple steps will help rekindle the spark between you and your workout plan.

1. Time is Right

Most of us work out the same time, every time. This is usually dictated by outside factors, like career, family, and general lifestyle. Someone who stays up till 1:00 am binging on Netflix isn’t going to be raring to go for 6:00 am cardio. Still, changing the “when” of your workouts might be just what you need to break the monotony. If you religiously hit the gym at 5:30 pm each day, try going another time – like right when the gym opens or just before it closes. You might find the atmosphere to be completely different, with new people, different music, or less congestion. You may even bump into a familiar face who you didn’t know trained at the same location. Hello, new workout partner!

2. Resist Repetition
Along with changing the “when” of your workout plan, change the “what.” If you can do your current dumbbell routine in your sleep, it’s probably time to switch things up with machines, cowbells, exercise balls, bands, and other equipment. Assuming your budget allows for it, hiring a personal trainer can introduce you to a world of exercises that you didn’t even know existed. If money is an issue, hop online for how-to videos or follow your favorite fitness icon – such as one of our personal favorites, Jamie Eason – on social media for everyday workout tips and tricks. If you start to veer into Mundane Lane again, make another change to your exercise plan – even if it’s just switching the order of your workout. This will keep your body guessing and your motivation high.

3. Lift Heavier

Do you ever leave the gym having barely broken a sweat? Sure, your great hair might still be intact… but wouldn’t you rather walk away feeling like you conquered something great? The fact is, we women can be guilty of selling ourselves short in the lifting department. We see those 10-pound dumbbells and think, “Surely I couldn’t possibly lift more than these.”  So, we go through the motions, do our 10 to 12 reps per exercise, and call it a day. Instead of progressively lifting heavier each time, we stick with what works. But here’s the thing… Breaking free from that 10-pound barrier can do amazing things for your figure. You’ll challenge your muscles in a way you haven’t before, which can lead to greater fat loss and attractive muscle tone. And the better your results, the more excited you’ll be to train. Scared to make the change? Just start slowly working up to heavier weights, and grab a spotter if you think you could use extra support. Someone will be happy to have your back!

4. Dare to be Accountable
One reason why you might be bored with your routine is that you’re on a solo mission with no accountability. If you miss a workout… or two or three… who will notice? If you stay the exact same weight as you’ve been for the past five years, who else will care? One way to renew your love for exercise is to enter a “Before and After” contest like the Lean Body Challenge. A contest like this will help you get into your best shape within weeks, all with the support of a fitness-minded community. It will also force you to set specific, measurable goals. After all, it’s easy to join the masses and say, “I want to lose 10 pounds,” but is that goal truly right for you? Then there’s your new sense of purpose. Your workouts won’t just feel like another tedious task on your to-do list, but a means to an exciting end. Sure, facing your “before” can be scary. But when you see your “after” pictures just a few weeks later, you’ll be glad you took the plunge.

5. Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back
Have you ever peered into a group exercise class and wanted desperately to join in, but stayed on the sidelines out of fear? You saw those women having a blast and sweating up a storm, but couldn’t quite build up the courage to participate. What if you couldn’t keep up? What if you tripped during one of the dance moves? What if the instructor singled you out like in grade nine gym class? This kind of fear can hold you back from an exciting new fitness routine and keep you stuck in your safe zone. The next time the opportunity arises, challenge yourself to try something out of the box. According to motivational speaker Robin Sharma, “Change is hardest at the beginning, messiest in the middle, and best at the end.”

6. Help Your Heart Grow Fonder
Believe it or not, too much of a good thing can be bad. If you’ve been working out six days a week for the past decade, you’ve probably outgrown the initial excitement of exercise. You also haven’t given yourself a chance to miss it. So, take a bit of time off from the gym – we’re talking days here, not months – and let absence make the heart grow fonder. Not only will this be good for you psychologically, it can also help you physically. Your muscles need time in between workouts to rest, recover, and rebuild so you can come back stronger the next time you hit the gym. Even a small breakaway can be enough to remind you why you first fell in love with fitness.

And there you have it… Six pick-me-ups to turn a yawn-inducing workout routine into one you’re excited to power through. Let the results begin!