Daily Challenge - Mix It Up

Did you know that your body can become accustomed to performing the same works each day?  In fact, it is no longer challenged to eprform the same movements and will even get better at doing them, taking less effort to perform it and even burning fewer calories. So...today's challenge is to mix up your routine.   If today is your cardio day, try adding in intervals, which are short bursts of high intensity effort.  For example, if you walk on the treadmill at 3.0, do 1 minute at 3.5, then 3 minutes of 3.0, etc. for 30 minutes.  If you find that the 1 minute isn't challenging enough....go for 2 minutes.  If you are on the ellipticle, increase your speed in the same manner, OR....go backwards.  Meaning, pedal backwards for 1 minute.  Sound easy???  try it! OR....use one of the interval programs on the treadmill to resemble hiking.  Using the incline - it works and is a great way to change up your workout.  Slowly increase your speed while increasing your incline every few minutes for the first 12 minutes of your workout, then maintain for 10 minutes, then slowly back it down. If today is your weight day....instead of doing 1 set of 12 reps using 3 pound weights, do 2 cycles of your weight rountine for a total of 2 sets of 12 (just make sure that you stretch your arms before going on to the next set of 12).  OR...increase the weight from 3 to 5. Another way to mix it up is if you normally ride the bike, try the ellipticle today.  Or if you normally walk, try a fitness DVD (Turbo Jam, Hip Hop Abs and Leslie Sansome are wonderful alternatives to walking and add variety) or swim.  OR...if you dare...try a spinning class or a kickboxing class.   The point is is to challenge the body to do something that it does not normally do, to use muscles that it does not normally use, and to work outside of your element.  You never know...you may find something new that you like. ***As with any fitness program, please consult your physician before starting.  AND make sure that you properly stretch before you start. *** This challenge came from my own personal research on this topic in trying to help challenge myself.  This is not a repost from any Internet site.