Whether your fitness journey started as a New Year’s resolution or a desire to fit into a swimsuit, you probably began with inspiration and motivation. You may have lost weight rapidly and noticed your body change in positive ways. That’s to be expected.
Unfortunately, there comes a point when your fitness journey becomes a marathon rather than a sprint. It’s easy to stay motivated in the beginning when changes happen quickly. It takes effort and dedication to stick with your fitness routine when the scale budges less frequently and less dramatically.
If you stay the course, you’ll continue to progress toward your goal weight and increase your muscle tone and endurance. The key is to keep your body and mind engaged by adding variety to your workouts.
Teach Your Body and Mind—In Class
Group exercise classes are one way to add variety to your routine. Instead of running on a treadmill for cardio, take a cycling class.
Instead of lifting weights, take a yoga class that uses balance and body weight to build muscles. There are classes ranging from boot camps to water aerobics. Change it up; attend one for a month, and when it becomes less challenging, choose another class.
As a bonus, you’ll meet new people who will hold you accountable to show up.
Try Unfamiliar Equipment
Are you curious about what it’s like to kick a heavy bag? Do you wonder how many flights of stairs you could climb on a stepper, like PowerMill? Satisfy your curiosity and challenge your muscles by trying new equipment. Ask a gym employee for a tutorial, then get started.
It will be tough at first, and you’ll probably be sore. But that’s how you’ll be rewarded on the scale.
Use Familiar Equipment in New Ways
Perhaps you are a treadmill or bike devotee. If you insist on using the same equipment, you can still change your workout. Run (or pedal) at your max speed for 30 seconds, then walk (or pedal slowly) for 30 seconds. Repeat this for the duration of your session.
Fitness should be a lifestyle, not a phase. Keep it interesting and varied, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it and realize your goals.
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