Change things up to see changes

Some people assume that I just love to work out.

Wrong! (well not everyday anyway lol)

I’ll be the first to admit it, working out really sucks sometimes. But it’s a necessary evil — and one I’ve come to appreciate to get the physical and emotional results it brings. Whether it’s playing with the settings on the treadmill to keep me entertained or switching things up with a boot camp class, I have my own tricks for staying motivated to get through my workout. Next time you are bored with your routine or want to rev things up, give these a shot.

1. Kick Up Your Cardio

The key to consistently challenging your body is to keep it guessing. When it comes to cardio, this is incredibly easy to do. You can create interval sets like walking on a steep incline for two minutes, then run on a flat level for one minute. Or jog for two minutes, sprint for one minute. You can also try running and jogging in short bursts. Depending on your fitness level, any of these interval workouts will help you bump your calorie burn.

Just be sure that you’re always keeping your heart rate at 85 percent of your maximum. To calculate your maximum heart rate, if you’re a woman, subtract your age from 220. If you’re a man, subtract your age from 226. That number is your maximum heart rate in beats per minute.

2. Switch It Up

If you don’t know by now, I HATE to run. The treadmill, can be torture — I can only play with intervals and inclines for so many days a week. On the other days, I get my cardio fix by mixing things up. Adding variety into your routine forces your body to progress because you're physically requiring it to adapt to new stimulus. So try a new workout one of ours or take a boxing, Zumba, Pilates or yoga, or bootcamp class. Better yet, try a different one every week if you can. By training in different ways, your body becomes more efficient, well rounded, and less prone to injury. So break out of your comfort zone and try something new. Bring a friend with you if you’re intimidated!

So what you waiting for get out there!