Mix Up Your Workout: Cross Train for Better Results

Let's face it; if we don't challenge our bodies, exercise gets stale and too easy. I like to mix it up a bit. I started by just walking. But you really need to do weight bearing exercises. So I also use weights at the gym. But when my ankles were bothering me, I decided to change to the elliptical trainer. Well, that improved my fitness greatly. Now I can go four or five miles an hour at a low impact exercise. But I also walk now when I can't get to the gym.

I also like to dance sometimes. I used to try to belly dance but I lost interest. I might try an aerobics class at the gym I go to sometime. But it is good to keep learning new things and to keep trying until you find something that sticks.

I find that if you cross train, you will become stronger and fitter. This is a good thing. Who doesn't want to be in better shape? So I try to walk and use the elliptical trainer now days. I might even see if I can jog a mile on a treadmill now that I am doing so much better on the elliptical trainer.

Exercise does many wonderful things, but if you get bored from it or it hurts you, you won't do it. Maybe a sport is better for you. Many people enjoy swimming and tennis. Some people go skiing. But the risk of injury is there too. I used to ride horses but that has proven to get too exciting for me. Once I had a mare try to buck me on a trail ride. Luckily I stayed on.

But if you can find something that gets your heart rate up and makes you sweat, chances are you'll feel better and look better. Increasing muscle is good to prevent injury and takes up less space per pound than fat. So you might weigh the same, but you'll fit into a smaller dress size.

Exercise, any exercise, will release endorphin and other feel good chemicals. It can reduce stress and prolong your life. My grandmother is still alive at ninety six and looks seventy and she does stretching and calisthenics in bed.

Exercise has even been found to help reduce cancer and even heart disease and diabetes. If you make it a part of a healthy lifestyle, you will feel better and look better.