They say variety is the spice of life.
I say it’s the main ingredient to a successful fitness plan.
There are two common roadblocks that people actually set themselves up for when starting a fitness journey.
The first roadblock is doing the same exercises over and over again. They have a routine based on a few basic isolation exercises and walking the same route, at the same speed for the same amount of time, a few days a week. I don’t care who you are, that’s going to get boring pretty fast. Not only will your mind get bored, but so will your body.
The body adapts quickly. It figures out the most efficient way to get things done. Pretty soon it’s no longer being challenged and you’re not burning as many calories or seeing the same progress as you were when you started.
The second roadblock is eating the same thing over and over again. I realize some of you are creatures of habit, like me, and enjoy the consistency of the same breakfast or snack every day. But a lot of people aren’t. Grilled chicken and vegetables can quickly lose its appeal, especially if it’s taking the place of the kinds of foods you really enjoy. No one said you can’t have pizza. But how can you make the pizza better and fit in with your new healthy lifestyle? Maybe cereal is quick and easy during the week, but on the weekends you would like to enjoy a more leisurely and substantial breakfast. That’s great! Use the extra time for an egg white omelet or a cleaned up version of pancakes or French toast.
Use your new mission of living healthy to get creative.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Go to the farmer’s market and use what’s fresh to guide your meal plan for the week.
- Plan your workout based on the body parts you want to work. Do different exercises for that body part each week. For example. if Monday includes working your chest do pushups and flat bench dumbbell flys one week and barbell bench press and incline dumbbell flys the next.
- Utilize the local library to try out a new workout DVD or find a new cookbook.
- Tired of HIIT on the stationary bike? Get outdoors and run stairs or do some jump roping.
- Host a healthy potluck and fitness DVD exchange. Invite everyone to bring a dish with the recipe and the DVDs they have grown tired of to swap for new ones.
Tell my, how do you keep it interesting?
