How do you guarantee success in your workout program? There is no one-size-fits-all formula, but try these strategies.

Have a baseline. Every project manager knows you can't measure progress if you don't know where you started. You can pay a trainer or an exercise physiologist to test your fitness level, or you can take measurements yourself. Measure your waist, upper thigh, chest and hips. Write the numbers down and refer to them throughout your program. Even if the scale does not change, you may see some improvements in the measurements, which may be enough to keep you motivated.

Buy a fitness log. It can help you keep track of exercise. Refer to your log to find out what you did on successful days, as well as on days that you did not perform to your expectations. Buy a log at any bookstore, and put it in your gym bag along with a pen. It will help guide you if you stray off course.

Find a partner. Studies show that people are more likely to stick with exercise when they have someone to help them. A partner gives you someone to talk to during a workout, which may help pass the time. You're also less likely to miss a workout if you know that someone else is counting on you.

Buy a portable music player. Music can keep you motivated during the toughest parts of your workout. Choose music that is uplifting or motivating to you. Most new portable music players are easy to use and are designed to be strapped to your upper arm and stay out of the way during exercise.

Choose your exercise time wisely. There isn't a gym in the country that doesn't have lines this time of year. In January, everyone flocks to the gym believing that this is the year they will stick with their workout plan. Instead of letting this frustrate you, find a time when the gym is less crowded. The fitness centers on campus open early for those of you who don't like to wait in lines. Any time before 10 a.m. is a great time to hit the gym ÃW most likely, you'll have your choice of equipment.

Cross-train. This means doing different types of exercise throughout the course of a week. In order to keep your workout interesting, you should choose a variety of activities. Staying with any single form of exercise for a long period of time can become boring. You are also less likely to get injured if you are participating in a variety of activities. Try to select three different exercises and alternate them from day to day.

Hopefully, using one or two of these strategies will help you find success in your workout program. Remember that routine and regularity are still the best exercise guarantees.