When life’s curve-balls put you off your fitness game, knock ‘em back and keep moving!

You're on a roll - early morning yoga class, lunchtime jog and evening pump class. Then, just when you start feeling like you should be writing a blog about your amazing work/life/exercise balance you suddenly face-plant right into the proverbial wall. Whether it's injury, illness or simply being over the gym, at some point, even the fittest among us need a little boost to get us over the hurdles.

FITNESS HURDLE: "I'm over the gym"
The gym can be great, but only if it works for you. If you'd rather eat wax fruit than go another round on the elliptical, save your dosh for something that will really motivate you. Fun group classes like Burlesque, Aerial Fitness or Hoopla/Hulacise are great for keeping you motivated, and it's so much fun you'll forget you're even exercising.

If it's the indoor factor that gets your goat, head outside. You're not just restricted to running, either - grab a pal or two and join an after-work boot camp (have a gossip in between crunches!), take up body-boarding on the weekends and ride your bike to coffee dates instead of driving. Remember, if you're moving, you're exercising - no calorie-counting, distance-reading treadmill required.

FITNESS HURDLE: "I'm pregnant"
Ok ladies, there's no getting around it - you're going to put on weight. However, while visions of muumuu may be running through your mind, there's no need to trade in your joggers for Hush Puppies. Now, we don't suggest you become a gym junkie the day you find out you're pregnant, but you can continue with almost every activity you were doing before it (well, except for roller derby).

In fact, keeping fit throughout pregnancy helps to give you more stamina come delivery time and ensures plenty of oxygen is pumping through your blood to keep you and bub healthy. For gym classes, let the instructor know you're expecting so they can tailor moves and always consult your GP beforehand.

FITNESS HURDLE: "I travel all the time"
While the jet-setter lifestyle can have lots of bonuses, maintaining a routine of any kind let alone keeping on track with exercise, can be an enigma. While some of us can highlight our gym timetable weeks in advance and commit to a team sport, others are lucky to squeeze in squats as they pick up their suitcase at baggage claim.

If you have a choice over where you stay, opt for hotels with a gym or pool so you don't have to venture far for a workout. Or, bring the gym to you and pack a fitness DVD or download online classes such as Barre Body (barrebody.com.au). Hate being stuck inside? Download the free app Just Start Walking and sweat it out while you sightsee by calculating a route, tracking the distance and time and counting your steps.

FITNESS HURDLE: "I always hurt myself"

Just when you thought you're a lean, mean fitness machine, that little niggle you were powering through becomes a full-blown injury and quite literally stops you in your tracks. Continuing to hurt your body is never a good idea, even if you have your physio on speed dial. However you don't have to become an insta-couch potato either. "Finding ways to continue exercising when injured is usually possible, but depending on the injury, this might require some expert advice." says WF physiotherapist Brad McIntosh.

"If your back hurts more when you're standing, try cycling. I also get a lot of my running clients to use a flotation belt for a bit of deep-water running - they sweat more than during a hard interval session on land!" Remember, you should be pain free (except for a few sore muscles!) when you're not working out, so get any abnormal niggles checked asap.

FITNESS HURDLE: "It's too hot or too cold"
While the thought of peeling on lycra in the height of summer or leaving a cosy bed in an arctic chill is enough to have you resign to a life of elastic waist pants (short cotton in summer, long flannel in winter), don't let Mother Nature destroy your best efforts to work up a sweat.

If the heat is melting your motivation, grab your pals and opt for aqua-activities. The beach is not just one big sun lounge, you know ? Those waves can be great for resistance work on your legs, bum and core. And if flooding rain has dampened your boot camp drills and you 'forgot' to renew that gym membership, create a home circuit using your furniture for dips, stairs for raised-leg lunges and even canned food for hand weights. Of course, you could find your inner commando chick and be one of those running-in-the-rain people car-dwellers look at and go, "Whoa, she's hard-core."

FITNESS HURDLE: "I'm sick and just don't feel like it"
Don't let the sunshine fool you, you're just as prone to getting sick in January as you are in July. From vented offices, school-aged kids and plain bad luck, being ill during the warmer months is inevitable, and it can really knock you down.

If you're feeling under the weather, don't pressure your body to push through exercise. It's trying to heal itself, or at least letting the medicine work its magic, so give yourself time to rest and recover. Of course, prevention is always better than a cure - so to boost your immunity, stock up on garlic, turmeric, green tea and plenty of fresh produce (particularly leafy greens).

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