You've finally stopped making excuses to get to the gym in the wee hours of the morning, and are committed to sticking with your fitness mantra this season. Congratulations! This is a big step, and one that will pay off in more ways than one. Still, logging in time at the gym is just the beginning; if you find yourself spending hours on the treadmill, elliptical trainer or lifting weights and aren't seeing results, you might not be maximizing your gym time.

Wearing the wrong shoes, skipping the all-important stretching routine, and not eating properly before the workout can make all the difference for your get-in-shape efforts. Here some essential tips for making the most of your time in the gym:

1. Stretch before and after. Stretching before a workout will get your circulation going and make it easier to perform your hardest routines first. Stretching after the workout is just as important; your muscles need to cool down and your mind needs to start winding down to start the recovery process. You'll be fitter and stronger for the next round with this simple routine.

2. Stay hydrated. Dehydration can prevent you from pushing yourself to the max. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water before, during and after your workout so that you can really give it your all.

3. Make sure the shoe fits. If you're not wearing the right size or style of shoe, you could be setting yourself up for injury. Even if you don't hurt yourself, you might not be getting the full range of motion you need to perform those lunges or use the gym equipment properly. Make sure you're wearing the right shoes for the activity at all times.

4. Eat right. Power up your workouts by eating a small serving of lean protein and low carbohydrate snacks right before you hit the gym. You need only a small snack to give you a boost, especially if your goal is to lose weight.

5. Change things up! Doing the same routine over and over is the fast track to a fitness rut, and you'll be burning fewer calories every time. Keep your body challenged with different workouts so you're burning up a calorie storm every time you exercise!

Have you ever wanted to learn a new healthy activity, but didn't want to invest the money in expensive programs at your local gym? Well, it's about time you did something about that. It's time to learn new activities that give you even more options for staying healthy. This week, we're going to discuss how you can learn new activities while still sticking to a budget.

One of the easiest ways to learn a new activity is to take classes at your local community college. Believe it or not, many of these classes are extremely affordable. Some activities only take one night, while others can take several weeks. Either way, you'll walk away from the class not only having learned a new activity, but knowing that you can perform it correctly.

The next best option is to rent or purchase DVDs. Just about any new and hot fitness craze has at least one DVD for instruction. Sometimes, you can even find DVDs that come with equipment that you'll need to complete the activity. If you're unsure about whether or not you'll enjoy the activity, always rent a copy before investing in it.

Another great option is fitness programs. Many popular series feature yoga, but there are many other fitness programs as well. You can find some of these programs on public television as well as cable, but you can even find free programs to watch online. The internet isn't just a good place to find videos about exercise programs though. It's also a great place to find step by step instructions on learning new activities. There are even fitness sites that are dedicated to teaching different types of exercise. Best of all, many fitness sites offer the information for free.

Last, but not least, open a book. Libraries are filled with books on healthy activities. It may be crafts that reduce stress, a new type of exercise, or even a healthy cooking method. Bring a few books home every couple of weeks and you're bound to find a few activities that you'll love.