Our body generally adapts to a new exercise program within six to eight weeks, meaning even the most intense or dynamic workout won’t be as challenging, and can get boring.  Which means we are not getting as much out of it. So the challenge is not only finding time to work out but also changing it up.

Thankfully there are a literally hundreds of ways to change-up your workout.  You can follow different fitness instructors who can give you different workouts, you can attend different gym classes or studios, you can watch fitness channels on TV or YouTube,  can simply go out for a run and instead of focusing on distance focus on sprints, you can make up a new workout like I just did below, and/or you can switch yoga practice to slow down, speed up, or focus more or less on strength. Picking up a new sport or working in the yard can count too.  Or instead of going for a walk on flat land, walk hills.

As much as we are creatures of habit, we also crave novelty. It stimulates our body, mind, and spirit. Our bodies are made to move so the whole goal is to keep movement and exercise in your life. We are not made to sit and stay still for long periods of time. It just makes our muscles and joints stiffer and tighter.  Physical activity helps us to stay young and active.

I know we all know this, but yet, for most of us, finding time to work out and then sticking to it is so hard. As we all know, it takes one month to form a habit. And yet it is so easy to break it. Yet, it can be fun discipline by picking new things that will make you excited and wanting to come back.

This week to change it up, I am going to a hip hop class with a friend. I have gone before years ago to a different studio and had a blast. So we will see how this goes. If nothing else, it will be a fun way to laugh at myself.

What is a new workout you are going to try this week? How are you changing up your workout?

For those that want a good quick 30 minute workout, this week for my quick hitters here is a workout I just made up (Try making up your own workout. It is super easy to come up with and helps you play with your own creativity) .  This is also something you can do at home when you are under a time crunch.

• 45 seconds  burpees
• 60 seconds plank
• 45 seconds jump lunges
• 20 tricep dips (use a bench)
• 60 seconds bench taps (flip over from bench and bring knees up so toes are tapping bench. Kind of like doing high knee toe taps)
• 20 air squats
• 10 full pushups
• Rest 60 seconds
• Repeat 3 times