Spending hours upon hours on the treadmill can be downright dull. After an extended period of time, the same old exercises are going to wear out their welcome. Variety is the spice of life -- so be sure to mix it up regularly. For starters, find a balance of strength training and aerobic activity. Do light weight lifting two to three days a week. Perform a variety of moves that work the various muscle groups. More muscle equates to more weight loss - muscle burns more calories than fat, even when you're resting. You stoke your metabolic fire when you build muscle. Take a Pilates or weight lifting class. On the other two days, swim, jog or participate in another aerobic activity.
Try a class at the gym that you've never tried before, or check out an exercise DVD that you haven't done before - dance lessons like salsa burn lots of calories and are fun to boot! When it comes to exercise, you're only limited by your imagination. By keeping it interesting, you'll be more likely to stick to a consistent regimen. Plus, different workouts keep your muscles guessing. If you've reached a weight-loss plateau, then a new workout might be just the thing to revitalize your dieting efforts. Shake up your workout and your eating habits - increase how much you move, and decrease how much you eat - and you'll see results fast.