Going for your first run or lifting your first set of weights can be an exciting point in your fitness existence. You're hopeful, eager, and perhaps even thrilled to be taking the first step to building a healthier you. However, it seems it's a natural part of human nature to become bored with things -- even things we at one time enjoyed so very much. Remember buying that new car? Felt cool tooling around town in it, didn't you? Couldn't think of enough excuses to take it for a spin, right? But how do you feel about that car now? Chances are, you're tired of the way it looks, the way it drives, and the way it no longer gets you excited to be behind the wheel. And, there's also a good chance that you're contemplating buying another new car to replace it. Well, our penchant for growing bored with cars and other material goods is not all that dissimilar from how we are also prone to becoming bored with our workouts.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent your workout from becoming boring and stale. So, if you've been dreading your workout lately, try some of these tips on for size. You may find they are exactly what you need to eliminate your feelings of workout "buyer's remorse."

Workout at a Different Time of Day. Are you typically a morning exerciser? If so, you probably see Charlie, Dave, Lisa, and Mrs. Tuttle at the gym every time you're there. Pleasant folks, all of them, but seeing those same faces every day only serves to further create a phenomenally boring, Groundhog Day-like experience. Try exercising at night instead, or vice-versa if you already workout at that time of the day. Being around different people may not be much of a change, but it may be enough mental stimulation to keep things interesting. And, who knows -- maybe the guy or girl of your dreams works out at 6pm.

Change Your iPod Playlist. Are you still listening to the same "gym mix" tracklist you created a year ago? Numerous studies have shown that listening to music while working out can improve performance. But, if you're bored with the music you're listening to, it probably won't motivate you any more than listening to the sound of Ben Stein reading a Sylvia Plath novel out loud. Put a few minutes aside to empty your iPod of anything that's been on it for more than a few months and replace it with some new, pulse-pounding tracks. Your workout will seem new all over again because, if for no other reason, your listening experience will be new.

Mix-Up Your Workout. After 4-6 weeks, your body begins to plateau in terms of the measure to which it produces fitness results. For that reason alone, you should definitely mix-up your workout. Yet another reason is that performing different exercises will break you from the redundant and repetitive cycle you may find yourself in by that point. Also, bear in mind that change doesn't always have to come in the form of new exercises. Try increasing or decreasing the number of sets and/o reps you do; cut down or increase your break time spent in between sets; or workout indoors if you're used to working out outdoors.

Try Supplements. Of all the suggestions made, this may be the only one that may not apply to everyone. Nutritional supplements are somewhat of a touchy subject; some people swear by them, while others vehemently swear them off, asserting they are ineffective and potentially dangerous (considering it's usually medical professionals that fall into the latter category, it's probably wise to give a great deal of credence to that side of the argument). That all being said, some supplements may be right for you, given your level of fitness, health history, and specific fitness goals. Some nutritional supplements provide you with additional nutrients, giving you a bit of a boost during your workout. This, in and of itself, may be enough to reignite your fire and have you eagerly awaiting your next workout. And, even more likely to happen is the placebo effect -- where you expect that boost to occur, so your mind leads your body to believe that it feels it. Either way, you may becoming excited about your workout once again, even if the supplement isn't actually providing you with the performance enhancement you believe it is. Whatever the case, I urge you to check with your doctor before rushing out to GNC and dropping a boatload of cash.

There are literally dozens of ways to keep your workout fresh. Unlike that once new -- but now old -- car, there are a number of things you can do to make your experience with it enjoyable again. Try some or all of the methods listed above and your mind will thank you with a renewed interest in your fitness program and your body will respond with new and better results.