Shake it up

Good Morning my friends!

Well, we've been at this awhile now.  The chatter on the blog seems to be dying down.  Hopefully that's not indicative of the effort we're all putting in to staying fit and making healthy decisions!

For most of us there tends to be a pattern of 'boredom' as time goes by.  Few people are good at maintaining a rote routine although there definitely are those creatures of habit.  For the rest of us, and boy am I one of them, change is good and necessary to keep us engaged.

What have you done to mix things up lately?  Have you tried a new recipe?  Changed up the snacks you prepare for yourself?  Have you tried a new exercise or worked out with a new buddy?

Not only can changes keep you interested and give you a reviving spark, when it comes to exercise, change improves results.  I'm sure you've heard the term cross-training.  The reason for cross-training is exactly that - improved results.

Just like your body harboring calories when you don't eat enough, you gain efficiency when you do the same exercises.  Remember when you first started paddling?  I bet for awhile you were sore after every practice.  Eventually, though, your body figures out the movement and gains the strength and flexibility (efficiencies) it needs and you can do the same amount of work without the soreness.  Call it efficiency, call it a plateau - it means your system has adapted and will 'cruise' at that level unless you push it do otherwise.

What's the point?  Shake things up if you haven't already.  Try a new type of cardio exercise - a boxing routine, a different machine, go snowshoeing.  If you've been stretching regularly, choose a different position to stretch your target muscles.  For the weightlifters out there, try dumbbells instead of the machines.

By changing up your routine you will stress your system in a new way and drive it to adapt.  By changing up your diet, you can stay aware and excited about the food you're eating.  A little change is good!  Try it out.