Jumpstart Your Fitness: Use setbacks to your advantage

Ugh, the dreaded setback. A lot of things can fall into the category of "setback," like an injury that makes it harder to work out, or a holiday season that makes it harder to eat healthy. The important thing is to remember that everybody experiences hardships on the way to their goals, but how you deal with them is what's really important. Looking at them as challenges, and chances to grow, will help you push yourself past it.

So you're determined to beat the odds and come out on top, but feel like you could use some help to get there? Try these tips:

Aches and pains are probably one of the most common things that slow people down, especially when you're just getting started. It's important to remember that sore muscles and some aches here and there are a normal byproduct of pushing yourself to a new level of fitness. Of course, always use common sense -- in some cases you may have a real injury.

If you do have a real injury, take care of yourself. Talk to your doctor and do whatever you can as far as working with or around your body as it heals. Usually minor and temporary modifications to your workout can both help you heal and keep you on track and motivated.

Fatigue is another biggie, both mental and physical. The answer to either or both of them could simply be to rest. Give your body and your mind some time to heal and de-stress, but make sure to get moving again soon.

The same rules apply to sickness, meaning rest and following your doctor's advice are your best bets. If you take care of yourself as soon as you feel something coming on you'll be back on track much faster than if you push yourself too hard and too far, and only end up making things worse.

Another big one is traveling (huge for me, anyway). I don't travel a lot, but when I do I tend to think of it as a "treat" and therefore an excuse to skip my workout. But there really isn't any reason why your fitness plan can't continue while you're away, with some minor adjustments and alterations as needed for convenience.

What this all seems to boil down to is the same question of "how bad do you want it?" Truth is that when we really really want something very little will stand in our way of making it happen. You just have to focus on the results you want, and make sure you don't let everyday setbacks throw you off course.