How to Mix Up Your Exercise Routine

If you mostly do cardio, add weights to your workout.

When your usual 30 minutes on the treadmill no longer shows results on the scale, it's probably time to mix up your exercise routine. With the same workout, your body becomes accustomed to the required output and no longer sheds weight. Change your workout to challenge your mind and your muscles and to keep the numbers on the scale going down.

Instructions

1. Be more flexible with your schedule. If you usually exercise early, but there's an evening class you'd like to try at the gym, go for it.

2. Go outside to get a change of scenery and topography. Try running or biking on hills, or do interval training between blocks to pump up your heart rate.

3. Pump up your weights routine. Trade your handheld weights for machines, or vice versa. Try stretching and toning exercises such as pilates or yoga, which also can increase strength.

4. Add interval training. Interval training requires you to go fast for short bursts, followed by longer periods of rest. The short bursts help increase your fitness level and burn more calories.

5. Ditch the structured exercise occasionally and have fun. Get your exercise through long walks, hiking or leisurely biking. Go out dancing.