Does your workout have staying power?

The Olympics are over but in their wake they left a legion of people who were inspired to get moving. After all, there's nothing like the world's fitness elite to make even the most dedicated gym-goers feel lazy! But while there's nothing like a little inspiration, it's important to make sure you have enough motivation to last you until the next Olympics in 2010.

According to the Fitness Industry Association in the UK, 40% of fitness novices fall off the fitness wagon in their first year of working out. Don't be part of this statistic -- bear these tips in mind:

• Make mini-goals. Don't expect too much too soon -- instead, make small, attainable goals that will keep your mood positive and your motivation in check.
• Take it slow. Challenging yourself too much in the beginning can lead to injury and frustration.
• Up the intensity slowly. If your workout is too easy, it's not doing you any good. Find a way to make it more challenging
• Don't just throw in the towel. Where would Michael Phelps be if he quit when it got a bit difficult?