Every So Often "Shake" Up your Exercise Routine

So, I'll admit it, I'm not any expert on exercise routines.  To be honest, I exercise not because I really, really want to go to the gym, but I do exercise regularly because I have to do that for my health.  I do; however, want to know more about exercise so when I'm in the gym, I'm getting the most out of my time spent there.  I talk to the professional trainers there and my spouse is a former Bodybuilding Champion, so  I feel I get good, practical advice from helpful people.   My blog entry today is to share that with you and tell you about my latest crazy time at the gym. 

Here are some exercise tips for getting the most out of your time spent working out.

-Whether you go to a gym, workout at home or take a walk or run, do that at least 5 times a week for 30 mins.

-If you have been doing the same workout over and over again for the past several months, your body will start to get used to it and the workout benefit will not be as great.

-If you are a beginner, change up your workout routine about every 6 weeks.  This resets your body, because, as I said above,  if you are doing the same thing all the time, you will not see as much change as you would like to see for your efforts.

-If you are more advanced, change up your workout every 4 weeks.

-Find new ways to make your exercise routine FUN!!!  And some suggestions are:
     1.  Partner up with a workout buddy.
     2.  Go out and play sports like tennis, golf, cycling.  Make this activity a social thing.
     3.  Find a hobby that requires physical exercise.  I am an extreme winter water metal detectorist
           and I'm getting excellent exercise while finding cool treasures!
     4.  Use your TV to workout to DVDs, dance to music on your Ipod or dance CDs.
     5.  Get exercise and relax at the same time by taking a walk or run in nature, ie, in the woods, at a
           park or at the beach.    
     6.  Go to a group fitness class with a good instructor who is enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

The last point I make, go to a fitness class, is where my funny story comes into "play"  I decided to "Shake" up my exercise routine and I had been hearing people talk about how much they liked their Zumba classes.  Now, Zumba is a dance fitness program created to combine Latin and international music with dance in an effort to make exercise fun.  At my gym there are Zumba classes as part of the membership.  Last night, I got up the courage and took my first class.  Let me tell you, it was fun, I loved the music, but I felt like I was Lucy in the I love Lucy Show.  You know, when she would try to sneak into Ricky's show routine and totally mess up the act!!!  Yes, that was me!! 

Nevertheless, I tried something new, found that I liked it, could laugh at myself and literally did "Shake" up my exercise regime!  So, everyone get out there, do something new and get a jump start on exercise, even before the New Year.