By Caitlin Venedam, founder and trainer at Platinum Fitness NYC

Rest days and recovery are SO important for your body to progress. That’s why your rest days are REST days, not OFF-DAYS! Off days implies a free-for-all, but a REST day reminds you that you’re still moving forward. Remember, it’s all just part of the process. And as the weather begins to change, so do our schedules and energy. Suddenly, it gets much harder to choose to lace up and go for a run instead of meeting some friends for a boozy brunch! Here are a few ways I like to keep motivated and keep on keepin on – especially on my rest days!

• Keep your goals in front of you! Decide your ultimate goal and a goal for the week. Then write it down and put it somewhere in your house or office at eye level. I like to keep mine on a white board on the back of my door or my refrigerator that way I see it ALL day!
• INSTAGRAM and TWITTER: we all invest so much time into social media that we forget how to use it to our advantage. Start following some fitness related accounts.
  • @PlatinumFitnessNYC
  • @fitness_meals, @workout.videos, @fitnesspageforall

• Keep things in perspective. Chart your progress throughout the week / month. Keep a calendar or dry erase board where you can map out your workouts. Having a plan makes a HUGE difference between having goals and doing them. Establish long term and short term goals. Busy schedule? Put reminders and alarms in your calendar.

• Accountability even when your trainer isn’t around! Don’t be afraid to talk about your goals and accomplishments with family, friends and coworkers. When someone says, “Hey, did you lose weight? Say “Hell yeah! And I’m just getting started! 5 more lbs to go!” Every time they ask how your progress is going or how many miles you ran they’re holding you accountable, so don’t disappoint!

• Show off your hard work! Whether you ran your first mile since grade school, followed your plan for the week or crushed that PR in your last marathon, post it to social media! You’d be surprised how much support you don’t even realize you have! Plus, high fives count even if they’re virtual!

• Let your progress make an impact on the world! I recently learned of an amazing app called Charity Miles. Whether you’re running a marathon or taking a lunchtime stroll through Central Park, your miles earn donations to your favorite charities. With many to choose from, I typically donate to the ASPCA while I teach my morning bootcamp classes, and Wounded Warrior at night!

• Take photos to document your weekly or monthly progress. No one has to see them but you! Week by week we don’t always see our changes. We may feel them, but let’s face it, we all want to look great AND feel great. Since we see ourselves a hundred times a day, it always takes us a few weeks later than it takes those around us to notice a visual difference. It may be a harsh reality at first, but you’ll thank yourself in the end!