Changing up your Exercise Routine

The Weight Loss Challenge is well under-way, and with any health program, maintaining interest is essential. Adding variety to your exercise program can increase motivation. As well, revamping your fitness regime every 6 weeks keeps your muscles challenged, prevents your metabolism from adapting to your program and produces results.

Here are some tips on how to spice your fitness program:

• Increase your number of workout days. If you are exercising 2 times per week, increase to 3 or 4 times per week. Remember, every bit counts. Add 5 to 10 minutes to your current exercise plan.

• Increase the number of sets you do. Aim for 2 or even 3 sets.

• Try a different type of workout. For example, circuit training is good for weight loss (For one set try: squats, pushups and sit-ups. Repeat.)

• Add variety to your routine. Try a push-pull superset, sit-ups alternating with supermans. Try push-ups alternating with seated row.

• If you can get to 15 reps, it is time to increase the weight.

• Add in some interval training. Try some skipping, running, squat jumps or even jumping jacks to increase your heart rate.

• Focus on set muscle groups. Workout lower body one day, upper body the next.

• Workout with another buddy, they will have different exercise ideas.

• Purchase a stability ball, bosu ball, weights or exercise bands to make at-home workouts more challenging.

• Workout with a personal trainer. No matter how hard you are working now, they will challenge and motivate you.

• If you were using machines, try adding in some free weight exercises. For safety, workout with a personal trainer or experienced friend.

• Try yoga, swimming or a new exercise machine. Exercising your muscles in a variety of different ways will lead to results.

• As the weather gets nicer, schedule outdoors activities. Go for an evening walk, take a bike ride, go to the park, play some sports outside.