Author of The Athletic-Minded Traveler: Where to Work Out and Stay When Fitness Is a Priority, Jim visited America's top 78 travel destinations to find very best hotel/fitness-venue combinations.

Welcome Jim to Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com.

Norm:

Could you tell us something about yourself Jim and what provoked you into writing about very best hotel and fitness venue combinations?

Jim:

Through years, I traveled quite a bit for work and pleasure. In addition to finding places to stay that matched my budget and amenity preferences, I always tried to identify hotels that offered good fitness options. However, time and time again, I would show up at hotel and discover that state of art fitness center was a closet-sized room with old or broken equipment. Or, lap pool was a short oval without lane lines. Or, running routes consisted of a map provided by concierge that directed guests to jog around streets of hotel 10 times. It boggled my mind how these hotels could make such blatant misrepresentations. So, I decided to write first cross-country guide that objectively recommends BEST places to stay for those who enjoy healthy living and staying fit.

Norm:

Do you believe that if couples are looking for an ideal romantic getaway they should also take into account fitness facilities, and if so, why?

Jim:

I believe everyone should take into consideration quality of fitness facilities including couples on a romantic getaway. Exercise not only helps boost your immunity system, lower stress, and improve your sleeping habits; it also helps your sex life. Studies have shown that healthy people have better sex and tend to be happier. And, I believe it is important to emphasize that when I say exercise,I am not talking about an hour of hard-core running or lifting weights at gym- 20 minutes of brisk walking can do trick.

Norm:

If you had to name 5 ideal romantic getaway hospitality properties that combine a unique romantic ambience with great fitness facilities, which ones would you choose and why?

Jim:

· San Francisco is one of my favorite romantic cities---the bridge, fog, rain, restaurants, and cultural offerings create a perfect stage for a wonderfully romantic trip. Any of SFO hotels in my book would be great fitness/romance combinations, but Hotel Rex is best deal for money. A small, intimate hotel property just steps from Union Square and China Town, Rex also provides guests with a discounted pass to a fantastic (but small) health club down street, Club One.

· If money is no object, The Miraval Spa and Resort in Tucson is a marvelous getaway for couples looking to stay fit and be pampered. All meals are included as well as any type of exercise option you can imagine---horseback riding, lap swimming, rock climbing, etc.

· For those looking to add a little more party to their trip, Miami's South Beach hotels are filled with romance. The Shore Club, Delano, Ritz and National are all in book, bestowing lots of love and liveliness to their guests.

· Colorado Springs' Broadmoor Hotel is a breathtaking resort beset by serene lakes and mountain landscape. Broadmoor's Fitness Center and Spa is well-equipped with modern machines and a regulation lap pool. And, nearby trails create fantastic jogging and mountain biking opportunities.

How to Avoid Becoming a Fitness Failure ©Rick DeToma

When it comes to fitness, no one likes being a failure, yet more than half of new exercisers quit their program within first six months. With a little help you can ensure you're not one of them. Give these ideas a try as you begin your exercise program for new year.

Set goals If you don't know where you are going, how will you know when you get there? Setting short-term and long-term goals may increase your chance of success. Your goals must give a clear picture of end-point to work towards. Use SMART model, your goal should be Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound. Without these you’ll never know if you have achieved goal. You can’t just say "lose weight or gain energy." Instead say, "I will lose 10 pounds in 12 weeks by doing strength training 3 times a week and cardio 3 times a week."

Go for variety Whether you do a home workout or belong to a gym, build your routine on cross-training to keep things fresh and interesting, and keep yourself from developing an injury. Frequently vary order of your exercises and mix in dumbbells, barbells, resistance tubing, machine or body weight exercises. Don't be afraid to take a class.