8 ways to energize your exercise: beat workout burnout and stay on track to the body of your dreams.

So you've been working out a regular basis for months--working on toning up and flattening your tummy or building up your pecs and sculpting your abs--knowing that in time, your hard work will pay off. Then one day you feel unfocused, just going through the motions of your exercise routine and not really getting into it. Before long you begin to feel unchallenged and start skipping workouts. Does this sound familiar?

At some point even the most dedicated fitness enthusiast loses motivation for exercise and experiences burnout, Busy lifestyles, demanding careers, and personal obligations all contribute to this problem. However, if left unchecked, workout burnout can ruin months of hard-earned progress. But it doesn't have to be this way. There are things you can do to jump-start your workouts and get yourself back on track to. your fitness goals.

1 Make a list of the reasons you originally started to exercise regularly. Examine why you made the decision to dedicate yourself to an exercise routine. Did you want to lose weight? Build muscle? Perhaps you decided to work out a special event, such as an upcoming high school reunion, or you wanted to improve your self-image. Reminding yourself of the reasons behind the decision to exercise will help develop a fresh perspective.

2 Reevaluate your fitness goals and make adjustments.

Are your fitness targets realistic? if your aim is to add four inches to your biceps in two months, you might want to rethink this. Losing body fat and packing on muscle take time and do not happen overnight. When you set your fitness goals too high you run the risk of becoming discouraged when they are not reached. Take stock of your objectives and adjust them to an attainable level if they are out of reach. If you are the type of person who likes to see results quickly, consider setting a series of small goals that eventually build up to something grand.

3 Change the time of day you visit the gym or work out at home. Can someone set a watch to the exact time you walk into the gym or head out for your evening jog? Sometimes falling into a strict routine can mean becoming bored. If you are jetting out of work each night and heading straight for the gym, consider changing this. An option might be working out slightly later at night, or perhaps in the morning before you go to work. New faces, a different atmosphere, and a change in routine have proved helpful for many fitness enthusiasts who needed help to stay motivated.

4 Use visual cues.

If you have some unflattering pictures of yourself, consider hanging them up on the refrigerator. This will remind you of the reasons behind your original decision to exercise regularly and help you focus on the areas you want to improve. Don't have such a photo? Clip an image from a magazine that shows a body type you admire. This tip may sound silly, but using a visual cue will give you something to focus on and will serve as a positive mental companion in your quest for the body you desire.

5 Consider a structured gym holiday. Pumping iron over long periods of time without a break can be counterproductive. Muscles require rest in order to grow, and the mind requires relaxation in order to focus. Taking a breather from the gym for a short period of time (one to two weeks) is perfectly OK--and is actually encouraged. Some experts say that after six to eight weeks of regular anaerobic exercise, a short hiatus is required to promote growth. If you have been working out faithfully for several months, pick a week or two out of your calendar and take a break. Structured gym holidays will give you the chance to rest and allow you to return to the gym a reenergized man.

6 Switch the days you work out. Hitting the gym on the same days every week can become boring fast. If you have been working out your chest and arms every Monday for the past six months, it's no wonder you are feeling burned out. Consider changing that chest-and-arm day from Mondays to Tuesdays--and do likewise for other body parts. Some experts suggest rotating your entire exercise routine every eight weeks because it helps to prevent burnout. Shake things up!

7 Use different equipment. It's only natural to become attached to a piece of equipment, especially if it has proved successful in building hard-to-develop body parts. The danger in using the same tools, however, is boredom. Pec-deck exercises do a great job in isolating the chest muscles, but have you tried butterfly exercises using dumbbells? Experiment with different types of equipment and vary your exercises. An example of this might be using free weights for your chest workout on Mondays and machines for this body part on Fridays. Using different types of apparatus will give you a sense of newness to your routine and allow you to remain challenged.

8 Get a workout buddy. If you are feeling unchallenged and unmotivated, consider finding someone to exercise with you. The primary benefits of having a workout partner are mental and physical support. You will be less likely to blow off the gym if you know someone is there waiting for you to arrive. Try teaming up with a person whose fitness goals closely match yours. This tip should not be used as an excuse to get a date with the guy you have been eyeing for the past few months. The point is to find someone who is enthusiastic about working out and who will kick your butt if you don't show up at the gym.

Photos by Mr. Means

TAKE NOTE! Are you having trouble defining your goals? Check out an online site like MyGoals.com. It can help you translate your ambition into a detailed plan and will also encourage your adherence with regular reminders and supportive e-mails as well as advice on how to overcome obstacles.