ADD SOME CREATIVITY TO YOUR WORKOUT

If you are bored with your fitness routine, do not like to exercise, or are not achieving the results you were hoping for, it may be time to think outside the gym.   Many women especially are vulnerable to time crunches and discretionary money available for themselves. There are many creative options available to keep you moving, keep you engaged and are necessarily not cost prohibitive.  

Additionally, your muscles quickly adapt to the repeated routines and cause a plateau, or leveling of results.  Therefore, the more variety you can add to your fitness routine the less boredom and the better results achieved. Here are some traditional and unique options to consider:

Speed Cleaning – Make cleaning fun.  Put together a plan of action.  Start with one room go clockwise dusting, wiping then vacuum.  See how much of the house you can clean in thirty minutes nonstop or see if you can beat your previous time.  

•  Fido Friendly activities – Besides taking the dog for a walk put together a little obstacle course in the backyard.  If you are able to train your dog that is a bonus.
•  Try Wii video games like tennis, golf and boxing.  It is not the same exact thing as engaging in the real thing but it does simulate the same movements as the sport represented, burn calories,and can be a fun way to engage the entire family. There is also a Wii Fit that comes with a balance board for Yoga moves and more traditional exercise. 
•    Include exercise in your commute  - Walk when you can, take the stairs, park further, ride your bike or even do stretching in your car when at the stop light.
•  Enter a competition – whether a weight loss challenge or a triathlon, adding a competitive component helps establish a targeted goal.
•  Schedule some fun time with your friends to go dancing – salsa, belly dancing or contra dancing.  Incorporating fitness into your social life takes the boredom factor away.
•   Cross training – participate in many different types of exercises within the week.  It is a good way to challenge the body and help avoid injuries from repeated use doing the same exact movements over and over.  Yoga one day, Pilates the next and weight training for strength core and flexibility.  Even your cardiovascular training should vary.  Swimming, followed by walking,  or biking anything that keeps your heart rate elevated in your target zone elevated for twenty to thirty minutes
•   Circuit training – Use a combination of dumbbells, a stability ball, rubber tubing and your own body weight to form a circuit. Start with a set of modified push ups, move on bicep curls with dumbbells, squat and shoulder press with the rubber tubing and crunches and the stability ball.  Take minimal rest periods (no more than thirty seconds between each exercise) to keep your heart rate up and increase the intensity of your workout.  Do two to three sets for a thirty minute workout.

      Keep your body and brain on its toes. Get creative!

Remember, all workout routines should begin with a warm-up (like marching in place) and stretching for five to seven minutes and end with a cool down of about five to seven minutes.  Consult a fitness professional if you are not certain about how to perform an exercise.   Ask your physician before beginning a new exercise program.