If It Doesn't Excite You, Move On

It's been a year this week since I joined the gym where I currently workout. While I had been a member at other gyms previously, this gym was a little different. A co-worker of my husband described it as "having everything you could think of and a few things you wouldn't have thought of."

During the first few months at the new gym it was fun trying new machines and equipment that I'd never used. Eventually, I got stuck in a routine and got bored. My progress halted. I had to find something new that could get me excited about working out again. That's when I started working with a personal trainer. Training with Gregg, it's always something new. No boredom there.

However, when I train on my own I have to be mindful to move on when I lose excitement over my workouts. When exercise feels like a chore, it's vital to put some thought into finding a new form of exercise that will provide a challenge and something to look forward to doing. All through the fall and winter my cardio routine consisted on mainly 40-60 minutes of intervals on the elliptical machine at the gym. When I broke my toe and couldn't put that much pressure on my foot, I found biking as not only a good option but something I look forward to doing.

Just like Gregg mixes up my workouts when I train with him, I can mix up my route when I bike. Some days I ride to a nearby park and head to the wooded trails within. The smell of the newly budding trees and the sounds of the birds enhance the experience. Other days I'll ride through my own neighborhood and the surrounding areas first thing in the morning after my daughter heads out to school. It's fun to see the remnants of the sidewalk chalk masterpieces left by the neighborhood children on the driveways. Morning is such a peaceful time to take a ride and gives me a chance to mentally plan my day. Time tends to pass quickly when I'm enjoying my ride, it doesn't feel like exercise in the least.

Spring and summer is the ideal time to experiment with different forms of exercise and find one that excites you. Swimming, biking, rollerblading, rowing and hiking are all great forms of exercise that are also fun. The best part about these activities is that they can be done solo or with other people if you like to combine socializing with fitness. When you find a type of exercise that you look forward to doing it no longer feels like an obligation, it's just fun.

Are you less than thrilled with your current routine? Will you be trying something new this summer?

Don't forget to submit any questions you might have for "Ask a Trainer Wednesday". The personal trainers from American Mobile Fitness will be happy to answer you questions regarding exercise, nutrition, weight loss and the like. Questions can be left in the comments section of this blog.