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.

Sign a Contract

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Before you think it: No, I do not mean a gym contract. Signing one of those and getting out of them is harder than a magician's assistant escaping a rigged box. When I say sign a contract, I mean create one for yourself, and then sign it.

You want to exercise at least three times a week? Cool, write that down. You want to eat healthy food for the majority of the week, but you also want to allocate yourself a cheat day? Fine by me, write it down. You want to keep exercise for a competition for that ummer bikini, or for that goal weight? Sounds great, write it the hell down. Print it out, and sign on the dotted line. Then, uphold the deal you've made to yourself. And like every contract, finish it out to term.

Featured image by Getty Images

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