Welcome to the final week of the Six-Week Shape-Up Workshop! As we start our sixth week together, it's time to think about how to keep the momentum going. There are families who keep fitness on the front burner – are you now one of them? Hopefully after the past five weeks you're well on your way, but we can all use some motivational help every now and then. Here's a breakdown of what successful long-term fitness families have in common.

Week 6 Activity: Keeping it up

The keys to success:

• A common thread When a new routine is young and fragile, it's helpful to find something to serve as a constant through the weeks and months. It can be an exercise class, organized sports for the older kids, a mid-morning fitness ritual for preschool families or an exercise buddy for yourself. It doesn't matter what it is that ties the weeks together, but support goes a long way.
• An enjoyable activity If you're not enjoying your fitness, you'll have a hard time sticking to it. What's fun for you? Taking a walk can be blissful alone time, going to an exercise class can be great social time and bike riding with the kids can be great family time.
• A back-up plan As with other parenting issues, flexibility is king, isn't it? An all-or-none attitude often ends up with “none” when things get busy. Business travel, a sick child, or bad weather can all spell trouble for exercise consistency unless you've already figured out what you'll do when obstacles arise.
• The “Click Factor” Fitness-friendly families have a built-in priority to be active regularly no matter what. They look at activity as something the body needs as much as sleep and bathing. If you're not there yet, never fear – you never know when the event or time will come when something clicks and the internal motivation is there. Surround yourself with the right messages and continue to do your best. Congratulate yourself on what you can do now, and your motivation will grow and evolve over time.

Here's what you do: Let's set some goals for week six and beyond. This time it's your choice. Pick three dates on the calendar this week and schedule three of your favorite family workouts from the past five weeks.

Results: Hopefully you're feeling pretty accomplished by the end of six weeks of consistent exercise. You may also be feeling as though this is becoming, dare I say…habit?! Count up another 400-600 calories burned this week, but more importantly, believe in the promise of lots more to come!

And what about the weeks following that? Keep the momentum! Think purposeful activity, in bite-size amounts. You will reap the benefits for many years ahead.

Here's to your health!

Questions for Cathy? Comments? Post them in our Message Board.

Get more exercise ideas in our 20-Minute Park Workout and Stretching guide. Plus, get tips on finding time to exercise.

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