That's Fit

Some people last a day. Others last a few weeks or a few months. And some people make it a life-long commitment. No, I'm not talking about the Seinfeld episode where Jerry, Kramer, George and Elaine all see who can last the longest as the "Master of Their Domain." I'm talking about something rated much more PG : Exercise.

Aside from physical limitations and doctor's orders, in my experience it is boredom that most often causes people to quit their exercise programs. We do what we enjoy doing, it really is that simple. So, if we don't enjoy exercising, it stands to reason that we will, at some point or another, stop doing it. Then how do you keep your exercise routine from becoming, um, routine? First, I guess, start referring to it as an exercise Program (not because it will make you any more motivated, but it will prevent you from sounding as redundant as I just did). As for some real techniques, you can check out those I listed a few days ago, or try this new batch I just cooked up.

If you are a treadmill person, bring a deck of playing cards with you to the gym the next time you go (a half or even a quarter deck will also work just fine). Keep the cards in a secure place such as a pocket or fanny-pack, as you don't want to them to start flying all over the place like you're some crazy magician. Start off at a very leisurely walking pace on the treadmill for a minute or two. Then -- and this is where the fun starts -- reach into your pocket and blindly remove one playing card. If it's a number card (i.e. 2 through 10), you can stay at the same pace at which you are currently walking for another minute. Whew...what a relief. But, if you pull a face card (i.e. Ace, Jack, Queen, or King), you must double your current effort level for a minute. Uh oh. And, if you are a more experienced exerciser, you may even want to develop a system where each face card represents different effort levels. So, for example, a Jack may mean that you have to double your effort level, a Queen means to triple it, etc., etc., etc.

Doing the same thing every day can get old -- fast! That's why it's called a routine ... because it is. If you're bored with your workout, don't fret -- it happens to everyone. But don't let it derail your healthy intentions. Here are some suggestions from eDiets on how to keep from getting bored with fitness:

• Find a workout buddy
• Try something new
• Take a class
• Try out new gadgets

If all else fails, take a break from your workout -- a temporary one. You'll come back to your routine feeling refreshed and ready to experience the benefits of exercise once again.

How do you keep your routine fresh?

Boredom can be a big enemy in all kinds of ways, and sometimes jumpstarting your fitness life is as simple as trying something new. Just because you loved something a few years ago, or a few months ago, doesn't mean you still love doing it today. When is that last time you tried something you've never tried before? And we're talking something physical for exercise here, not a new item on your favorite restaurant's menu or a new fashion statement (although trying things in those areas is a good thing too!).

Here are some ideas for 'breaking out of the box' and getting yourself interested and excited in something new:

Get out on the water
Paddling and rowing are great exercise, which make canoeing and kayaking awesome for you upper body as well as healthy for your spirit. Water is a known relaxer and many people find the experience great for getting rid of stress. For beginners make sure to either get professional lessons or go out with a friend who's experienced the first few times.

Head out to hit a few balls
Golfing is one of America's favorite outdoor past-times and it can be done 3 out of the 4 seasons. Golfing can help improve your concentration, flexibility, coordination, trunk stability, and finesse (we could all use more of that!). Plus if you skip the cart and walk the course instead you can get a great cardio workout too. Get started by taking group lessons at a local course and heading to the driving range to hit a few balls until you feel comfortable.

Whether you love your job or you, er, don't love it so much, there are almost always times when you're going to be a bit bored at work. Maybe you're just not into the project you're working on or perhaps you can't keep your mind on things because it's beautiful outside or you've got a holiday coming up that you'd rather be planning. Whatever the reason, it is vital to find ways to keep yourself interested and busy, because being bored for 8 hours a day can turn your mind to mush.

I've just returned to a job after a few months on a holiday-hiatus and believe me, it was tough to come back after weeks and weeks of excitement while traveling. The first thing I did when I got back was ask for a lot more things to do. I didn't want my brain to numb due to repetitive tasks. Being able to mix-up my daily responsibilities has been a big help.

Asking for more to do, is one of 10 helpful tips on staying interested at work from the folks at AskMen.com (don't worry ladies, the tips apply to you too). The suggestions range from volunteering to work on tasks that aren't related to your job to furthering your training. Not only can the tips help keep you from getting bored, they can also help with gaining extra skills and knowledge that may eventually help further your career. So the next time you find yourself under-stimulated, rather than spend your afternoon wasting time on Facebook, try out some of ideas on the list.

What do you do when you're stressed? Do you get angry? Do you cry? Do you go for a run? Or do you reach for the double stuff oreos and madly shove them down your gullet until you are covered in cookie crumbs and feeling very ashamed of yourself? If you answered the latter, you're an emotional eater. If you eat when your sad, or mad, or glad (Dr. Seuss?), you're also an emotional eater. For me, it's usually sadness or boredom that cause me to raid the pantry with feckless abandon. But this always makes me feel worse than I did before, and guess what that causes? More emotional eating.

Yes, it's a vicious circle, but it can be stopped. The first step is realizing you have a problem. For ideas on how to control your emotional cravings, check out this article.

What are your ideas for ending emotional eating?

Everybody needs new ideas now and then for either getting in shape or staying in shape. Even the fittest and healthiest people need to switch up their routines now and then, to avoid boredom and reenergize their motivation levels. Here are some ideas for trying something new, from old "tried and trues" to the latest in DVD home workouts:

• Dance! Research has shown that moving your body to music, or dancing, makes the time go by faster and can be great exercise. Need some specific direction? The Samba is a fun and upbeat option, either through lessons or an at home DVD in your living room.
• Jumping rope burns as much as 400 calories for every 30 minutes! And if you want to go at an easier pace, especially if you're just getting started, you can still burn 200 calories in 20 minutes by jumping a little slower. Not to mention it does a great job at toning and shaping your legs and midsection.
• Get in shape for a special occasion with a specially designed DVD called Women's Health: The Wedding Workout DVD. Even though the title says it's for weddings, apparently it's great for any special occasion -- like a vacation or family reunion.