It’s all set up, and it looks great. You’ve fine-tuned all the equipment and had all the necessary repairs completed before the new year. You don’t need a membership, because it’s in your personal fitness center. Now you just have to figure out how to keep that New Year’s resolution and exercise regularly…

So how do you make this resolution a habit that enhances your lifestyle? How about adding humor to your routine? Turning something difficult into something fun and enjoyable can be accomplished in four easy steps.

1. Make Funny Motivational Posters

You remember those motivational posters found in classrooms and strategically placed throughout health clinics? They often say something along the lines of, “Whether you believe you can or you cannot, you are correct” or “Aim for the moon, because even if you fail, you’ll land among the stars.”

While those posters can offer encouragement, they aren’t going to get you smiling as you enter your fitness center. Instead, try some of these ideas and post them in places you’ll see them frequently, such as on bathroom mirrors, the fridge, or in your office:

• Photoshop your head onto the body of an Olympic athlete.
• Print off funny exercise comics.
• Pick a superhero and rename your equipment and routines after him/her.

2. Make a Unique Playlist

Exercise playlists help you pass the time and increase your pace when running on an elliptical or other piece of equipment. Try something new as you create your personal playlist. Here are some avenues to explore:

• Find covers of your favorite songs.
• Explore new artists and genres.
• Ask for recommendations and share your own — your playlist might become your new conversation starter.

3. Out-of-the-Box Incentives

Incentives are always a great way to keep your fitness goals. They typically work like this: On days you exercise, you put a dollar into a jar. On days you don’t exercise, the dollar gets taken away. When you have enough money, you can go buy a new electronic or go out to the movies.

Those incentives are pretty good, but how can you add a humorous twist to them? How about giving one of these ideas a try:

• Make a spinning wheel of rewards you might like. At the end of a good exercise week, spin the wheel to see what your reward is. You could even make a spinning wheel for your off weeks, where you have a punishment for missing workout days. Add to the humor and mystery by including a variety of small, funny things and larger, more exciting options (think Silly String versus a day trip to the beach).
• Reward yourself with new exercise clothing — that coordinates with your funny posters or favorite superhero. How quickly can you transform yourself from average exerciser to super stretcher?

4. Transform Your Exercise Space

What can you do to transform your standard equipment into something that is uniquely you? It’s your space and it should be enticing to you. So here are some ideas to get you brainstorming:

• Don’t go with standard black and silver. Find a hot pink exercise bike or a camouflaged weight set. Whatever suits your style. If you don’t want to tamper with equipment you already own, consider painting a wall to add flair to the room.
• If your exercise space is at work, use something that isn’t temporary to change things up. Peel off wall decals or a brightly colored yoga mat can make your workout experience more enjoyable.

A healthy lifestyle is more than just a good workout regime. It is enjoying yourself while you do it. Hopefully you can find some way to incorporate humor into your schedule and make your fitness resolution a happy habit.