Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 3 Comments
Kelli Calabrese
eDiets Contributor
Tired of the same old exercise routine? Are you burnt out on fitness? I don't expect everyone to "love" exercise, butif you dread your workout, try these 12 ways to renew your routine. You''ll have fun and get the results you want.
1. Take a Class: Going it alone can be a drag. There are days you don't push as hard or avoid exercise at all. A class adds the excitement of a live knowledgeable instructor, appropriate music, variety and group support.
2. Get a Partner: Those who exercise with a buddy increase their chances of sticking to an exercise routine. Choose someone who is at or slightly above your fitness level. Make a commitment to each other to show up and even weigh in. You will keep each other accountable, work out when you would have slept in and push a little harder than you would on your own. Spouses can make the best exercise buddies.
3. Enroll in Boot Camp: Boot camps seem to be all the rage these days. You can find outdoor boot camps in just about any town. They typically meet early in the morning for five days a week for 4-8 consecutive weeks. Then, there's typically a one- or two-week break. You will work your little tail off, ultimately getting you that body you want.
4. Use Your Library Card: "What, I can get fit with my library card"? Yes! Libraries have shelves stocked with exercise videos that you can check out for free. You can try a new exercise video every week. Choose from a variety of formats and instructors. Very little, if any, equipment is typically needed. And if you're late in returning them, the fees aren't astronomical!
5. Watch Your Watch: Have you seen those people at the gym who spend time working their jaw muscles more than any other muscle? They are the people whose bodies never seem to change for the better. Cut out the jabber and you can streamline your routine to 25 minutes a session. Time and intensity are inversely proportional. If you work harder, you don't need to work as long. If you know you only have 25 minutes to get through a session, you can focus, give it your best effort and be done before you know it.
6. Divide Up Your Body: If you have been training using a total body routine, it can be fun and productive to break up your workouts by body parts. For example, Monday would be upper body, Tuesday would be lower body and Wednesday would be core (abdominals and lower back). Then take a break and repeat that cycle again.
7. Change Your Time: You can get a renewed feeling by changing your workout time. If you normally exercise in the mornings, try switching to afternoons or evenings. You may find you have more energy -- it helps to work off the day's stress, and you eat a healthier dinner as well as sleep better.
8. Join Your Kids: Get involved with your kids' activities. If they play a sport, help them practice by going to the field and engaging in drills with them. You can also ride your bikes, play Frisbee, inline skate, hike the trails in your local parks or sign up for a self-defense class together. The time with your children is priceless; you will be a great role model and set the stage for a lifetime of good habits for your children. They may even think you are cool!
9. Always Be Dressed to Move: You never know when the opportunity may arise to go for a quick jog. If you find yourself feeling energized or with time to kill, get up and get your heart rate up. Keep your sneakers handy at all times.
10. Three Sets of 10: Cardiovascular exercise can be broken up into three 10-minute sessions. You can get the same health benefits as one 30-minute session without taking a chunk of time out of your day. If you do this throughout the work day, you will have more mental clarity and give your metabolism a boost.
11. Bust Out of Your Comfort Zone: Has there been some type of sport you have always wanted to try? It's time to get off of the bench and be a participant. You may just find a favorite new activity and feel like a kid again. From ballroom dancing to kick boxing, and from rock climbing to swimming, there is no shortage of activities to choose from. Check out your community calendars and sign up.
12. Hire a Pro: While personal trainers were once available to only the rich and famous, anyone can afford a personal trainer today. Seeing a trainer even once a month can help to keep you accountable, provide you with a fresh fun routine, measure your progress, help you establish new goals and attain the body of Hollywood's hottest. Your health is priceless.
You may never be an exercise junkie. However, there are ways to make exercise fit into your lifestyle. Don't forget to set up rewards for yourself. When you reach certain milestones such as walking 100 miles or completing 20 workouts in one month, reward yourself with something you enjoy. Oh, and keeping a positive mental attitude always helps.
Kelli Calabrese, CSCS, is the author of Feminine, Firm & Fit: Building a Lean Strong Body in 12 Weeks.
Like this post?Check out these, too:
-- 7 Ways Exercise Leads to Happiness
-- Exorcise Your Diet-Wrecking Demons!
-- 10 Ways to Break an Exercise Plateau
eDiets Contributor
Tired of the same old exercise routine? Are you burnt out on fitness? I don't expect everyone to "love" exercise, butif you dread your workout, try these 12 ways to renew your routine. You''ll have fun and get the results you want.
1. Take a Class: Going it alone can be a drag. There are days you don't push as hard or avoid exercise at all. A class adds the excitement of a live knowledgeable instructor, appropriate music, variety and group support.
2. Get a Partner: Those who exercise with a buddy increase their chances of sticking to an exercise routine. Choose someone who is at or slightly above your fitness level. Make a commitment to each other to show up and even weigh in. You will keep each other accountable, work out when you would have slept in and push a little harder than you would on your own. Spouses can make the best exercise buddies.
3. Enroll in Boot Camp: Boot camps seem to be all the rage these days. You can find outdoor boot camps in just about any town. They typically meet early in the morning for five days a week for 4-8 consecutive weeks. Then, there's typically a one- or two-week break. You will work your little tail off, ultimately getting you that body you want.
4. Use Your Library Card: "What, I can get fit with my library card"? Yes! Libraries have shelves stocked with exercise videos that you can check out for free. You can try a new exercise video every week. Choose from a variety of formats and instructors. Very little, if any, equipment is typically needed. And if you're late in returning them, the fees aren't astronomical!
5. Watch Your Watch: Have you seen those people at the gym who spend time working their jaw muscles more than any other muscle? They are the people whose bodies never seem to change for the better. Cut out the jabber and you can streamline your routine to 25 minutes a session. Time and intensity are inversely proportional. If you work harder, you don't need to work as long. If you know you only have 25 minutes to get through a session, you can focus, give it your best effort and be done before you know it.
6. Divide Up Your Body: If you have been training using a total body routine, it can be fun and productive to break up your workouts by body parts. For example, Monday would be upper body, Tuesday would be lower body and Wednesday would be core (abdominals and lower back). Then take a break and repeat that cycle again.
7. Change Your Time: You can get a renewed feeling by changing your workout time. If you normally exercise in the mornings, try switching to afternoons or evenings. You may find you have more energy -- it helps to work off the day's stress, and you eat a healthier dinner as well as sleep better.
8. Join Your Kids: Get involved with your kids' activities. If they play a sport, help them practice by going to the field and engaging in drills with them. You can also ride your bikes, play Frisbee, inline skate, hike the trails in your local parks or sign up for a self-defense class together. The time with your children is priceless; you will be a great role model and set the stage for a lifetime of good habits for your children. They may even think you are cool!
9. Always Be Dressed to Move: You never know when the opportunity may arise to go for a quick jog. If you find yourself feeling energized or with time to kill, get up and get your heart rate up. Keep your sneakers handy at all times.
10. Three Sets of 10: Cardiovascular exercise can be broken up into three 10-minute sessions. You can get the same health benefits as one 30-minute session without taking a chunk of time out of your day. If you do this throughout the work day, you will have more mental clarity and give your metabolism a boost.
11. Bust Out of Your Comfort Zone: Has there been some type of sport you have always wanted to try? It's time to get off of the bench and be a participant. You may just find a favorite new activity and feel like a kid again. From ballroom dancing to kick boxing, and from rock climbing to swimming, there is no shortage of activities to choose from. Check out your community calendars and sign up.
12. Hire a Pro: While personal trainers were once available to only the rich and famous, anyone can afford a personal trainer today. Seeing a trainer even once a month can help to keep you accountable, provide you with a fresh fun routine, measure your progress, help you establish new goals and attain the body of Hollywood's hottest. Your health is priceless.
You may never be an exercise junkie. However, there are ways to make exercise fit into your lifestyle. Don't forget to set up rewards for yourself. When you reach certain milestones such as walking 100 miles or completing 20 workouts in one month, reward yourself with something you enjoy. Oh, and keeping a positive mental attitude always helps.
Kelli Calabrese, CSCS, is the author of Feminine, Firm & Fit: Building a Lean Strong Body in 12 Weeks.
Like this post?Check out these, too:
-- 7 Ways Exercise Leads to Happiness
-- Exorcise Your Diet-Wrecking Demons!
-- 10 Ways to Break an Exercise Plateau
Labels: exercise, exercise motivation, fitness, friday funnies, motivation
Comment: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 4:09:00 AM - 
medical information said...
Thanks for posting.. Very helpful especially I'm starting to exercise because I'm already gaining weight.
I like three sets of 10. must try!
Comment: Monday, November 17, 2008 5:06:00 AM - medical advice said...
Thanks for sharing this post!!! Nice tips!! :)
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