When it comes to personal development and goal-setting, there are very few undertakings that are more challenging than maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle throughout the years, especially after the initial motivation of New Year's resolutions wears off.

We've all been there: we've started a plan, we've felt excited, and we've dove in with extreme gusto. Then, by week four--who am I kidding week two--we've suddenly lost motivation, and everything seems like it is too much.

Going to the gym is harder than passing it. Eating healthy is stressful and who has time to cook, again? Your diet is too restrictive and that exercise routine that you perfected while in your prime is hard as hell now.

And eventually, and inevitably, you quit.

Because the truth is, staying motivated every day to exercise and eat clean can be tough, and sometimes you just don't feel like it. Which is normal. But, each day that goes by with you stuck in this rut is another day missed and you go further and further from your fitness goal.

So, without further ado, and seeing how you've already wasted enough time, I present to you to the 12 tricks to keep your fitness fever--and mine--elevated at the highest degree.

Create a Rewards Program for Yourself

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Create a workout log and have a reward attached to hitting a certain goal. This goal can be losing ten pounds or lifting more than you did the week before. To celebrate, buy yourself something for your fitness like new leggings, or that fitness bike you've had your eyes on. If you don't want to spend your reward on fitness, that's fine, too. Use your reward to splurge on yourself or take something off your bucket list.

Featured image by Getty Images

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