Are you finding it difficult to get out of bed in the morning for your daily walk? Are you making up excuses to skip the gym on the way home? Even the most dedicated exercisers occasionally get bored with their routines. Waning motivation, cutting workouts short and not having your old enthusiasm all are signs of a stale exercise regimen.
Quick Fix
First, evaluate your current routine to determine what really bores you. A new variation on your favorite activity—such as cardio-funk or kickboxing instead of step aerobics, or hoisting free weights instead of working on machines— may be enough to reinvigorate a stale routine.
If you’ve always worked out indoors, logging miles on a treadmill, stairclimber or stationary bike, move your workout outside for a welcome change of scenery. Run, hike or bike on trails; swim in a lake or ocean.
Bigger Changes
When tweaking your routine isn’t enough, make bigger changes. Take up an entirely new activity—especially something you never thought you’d do. If you’ve always stuck to solitary pursuits, sign up for a team sport, such as volleyball, basketball or even doubles tennis. Or tackle something you’ve always shied away from— indulge your thirst for adventure with a rockclimbing class (starting on an indoor wall, then moving to the real thing as your skills improve). Read More, download Newsletter
