Always consult with your doctor before engaging in any exercise program. A disclaimer of that kind is typically an article footer, so I thought that I'd mix things up a bit and start with it. In fact, there are several benefits to change when it comes to exercise, so I suppose the switch is most apropos.

Change is good. Remember that. Make it your exercise mantra. In my years as a personal trainer, I was often approached by people of all ages and fitness levels who asked why they were not getting the results from their exercise programs that they desired. "Well, what have you been doing?"

Their responses ranged from "Walking on the treadmill" to "Lifting the equivalent of a Buick in the weight room."

"Okay..." I would say as I stroked my chin a little, already knowing what the answer to my next question would be before I even asked it, " ... for how long have you been doing that?"

"For the past six months, and I haven't seen any difference!" they would often shout. Was there something wrong with these people? Were they simply not trying hard enough? Of course the answer to both of those questions (you can't see me, but I'm stroking my chin right now) is NO.

The reason why these individuals hadn't seen any changes -- no, wait -- let me say something before I even get into all of that. Did you notice how there was so much emphasis on the change these people SAW? Remember, the true benefits of an exercise program are not always observable by the human eye. Walking or jogging or swimming or simply dancing around in your living room like a fool may or may not make you physically look like a Greek god, but the cardiovascular benefits of these activities will still have an enormously positive effect on your overall health.

Okay, back to my original point -- change. The reason why so many people reach a plateau in their results is because they do not change their workout. For example, they walk a mile a day. Great. Two months later, they still walk a mile a day. Two months after that, guess what? Yup, they're still walking a mile a day. While any exercise is certainly better than none, there's no change to their routine and, consequently, there is no additional change to their physique.

So, where does that leave us? Should that same person add an additional mile to their walk every month? Maybe, but I really don't think that is the best approach -- if for no other reason than the fact that in five years, that person would be walking 60 miles per day!!

Instead of adding miles, or minutes, or more weights to a bar, try performing different exercises. If you have spent the past three or four weeks jogging, why not try bike riding for the next three or four? Then, to mix it up even further, try splitting half of your workout with one of each for a few weeks. The human body is designed to do all it can to reach a balance, making it essential that you mix things up once and a while. Change your workout and your body will change, too.

You see? I told you change was good.