You want to lose weight. You watch Biggest Loser, see them running the treadmill, sweating away pounds. You run 3-4 times a week and eat foods they advertise, Subway, Jenny-O, etc. And yet, your weight barely changes or remains the same. What’s missing? Variety!
Do you watch ALL of the show. They do more than just run. Running on the treadmill 3-7 times a week is better than doing nothing. And if you enjoy it, even better. You’ll be in better shape, feel better, and over time should get better at running. But, changes in your body will slow down or stop. You can’t do the same thing continuously and expect results. Your body gets used to what you’re doing and plateaus. Mix it up, keep your body guessing, throw different things at it. “For things to change, you have to change.†~ Jim Rohn.
Instead of running 5 days a week, run 2-3 days and do strength workouts 2-3 days. Start small, make up a routine, write it down, keep track of your progress, and do more each time. Increase daily or weekly. Do push-ups, squats, lunges, dips. Get a few dumbbells or bands, and do a variety of weight exercises..curls, presses, etc. Do this for 1-2 months, then change it up…don’t get in a rut. If you can do your workouts in your sleep, because you have it memorized, it’s time to change it up.
For me, I’m NOT a good planner when it comes to exercise. I don’t like figuring out what I need to do day to day. At the gym, I’d wander around, doing 10 of these, 20 of those, get bored, confused, no results, and quit. When I started P90X that was the thing I loved most. No guessing. Schedule my workouts in WOWY, put in the disc, and push play. It’s like having my own trainer right here with me. Did it work? You decide. I feel better than I ever remember.
But you don’t need to do P90X. There’s Power90, Turbo Jam, Insanity, 10-Minute Trainer, etc…something for everyone, depending on your interest, ability, time you want to commit. Look at this comparison of programs and the ask me if you need help choosing one that’s right for you.
Bottom line, keep moving, mix it up, make it fun, and enjoy the new you.
