Healthy Lifestyle Tip #4: MIX it UP!

The fourth tip to be successful on a healthy lifestyle is to MIX IT UP! That is, mix up your workout routines. If you do the same type of workout every day for several months (1) you will be bored out of your mind and unmotivated and (2) you will stop seeing results as your body adjusts to using the same muscles over and over again. In order to change your body, you should mix up your workouts and try new things that use different muscles, different skills, and different parts of your body. There are so many things you can do to stay active and adding variety to your workouts will benefit your physically as well as keep you excited about working out.

Here are the different types of workouts you can do:

Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercises work the cardiovascular system and help build endurance by increasing your heart rate and utilizing oxygen to meet energy demands. Aerobic exercise is generally low impact and light-to-moderate intensity for longer periods of time.

• Running
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Walking
• Hiking

Strength Training

Strength training is the use of resistance to build muscles and overall strength. Strength training can increase bone density, thereby reducing the risk for fractures and osteoporosis, and also increases metabolism.

• Weightlifting
• Body weight exercises
• Wrestling

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

This is a combination of aerobic and strength training which involves alternating short intense cardio exercises with periods of rest. High intensity interval training burns more fat in a shorter time and also increases the after-burn (the amounts of calories burned after exercise). Body weight exercises can be incorporated into a HIIT workout for added strength training as well.

• Insanity
• T25
• P90X
• Or make up your own with a combination of cardio and strength exercises!

Flexibility and Balance

Flexibility exercises are important because they stretch and strengthen muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons to help improve agility and coordination and reduce injuries.

• Yoga
• Pilates
• Gymnastics
• Dance

As you can see, there are so many different types of activities that you can do so don’t get into a rut where you become bored with your workouts and unmotivated. Instead, change it up a bit and you will feel more excited to work out because you are trying something new. Also, just changing the scenery of where you work out can help motivate you so get outside and find a new running route or take a new class. I try not to do the same type of workout two days in a row so I continue to work different parts of my body in different ways which helps me stay motivated to work out. I also like to try different workout DVD programs…beachbody.com has a lot of really good workout programs that are fun to try. I also like to go hiking and swimming every once in a while just to get outdoors more and take a break from my traditional workout routine.

Here is a typical weekly workout schedule for me.