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In the past I have blogged about my family's relocation from the Midwest to Phoenix. This being our first summer, Phoenix summers remind me of South Dakota winters. We tend to stay inside our homes for obvious reasons: South Dakota winters are bitterly cold and Phoenix summers are dangerously hot! The result is that we tend to fall into a "funk" and stray from exercise. I am speaking from experience! I recently fell into a funk. Here is how I got myself out of it:

I let myself be in the funk. I know that sounds strange, but I used my "funk" time for rest and contemplation. Here are some questions I asked myself: Why do you exercise? Is the weather keeping you from working out? Are you discouraged with your progress? Are you bored? I have found that once you identify the stumbling blocks, it is time to take action and solve the problem.

If the reason is the weather, remember it is temporary! This too, shall pass and Luna fitness does have air conditioning! If you are discouraged with your progress, consider meeting with a personal trainer. Even the most dedicated workout queens and athletes need guidance from time to time. A personal trainer can write a specialized program unique to you that will achieve results. In addition, a trainer provides accountability, support, and just plain friendship. If you are in a funk because of boredom, then it's time to try something different. Luna Fitness provides 50 group fitness classes a week!

The bottom line is this: don't let yourself be in a funk for more than one week. Many women I have worked with have been in a funk for years, yet they expect the weight to come off overnight. We all know the weight gain didn't happen overnight! I was able to get out of my funk for this reason alone. I didn't want to lose the progress I had made in my weight loss journey and have to start over again.

I also had to learn to work out in different ways. Since our move to Phoenix, I have fallen in love with hiking South Mountain. But because of the hot weather, I stopped. The solution? I got on Luna Fitness's Nordic Track hiking treadmills. What a great workout in air-conditioned comfort! I might add that having good music is important. Ipods and MP3 players have dropped in price over the years and can improve the quality of your workouts and motivate!

Lastly, remember why you exercise. For me it is my health, stress relief, weight control and just plain vanity. HA! Seriously, you owe it to yourself and your family to take care of you, one day at a time. So seize the day, get out of your funk and get rid of the junk in your trunk!