User Post: Is your exercise routine a BORE & a CHORE? Mix it up with these great ideas.

Little Changes 101 : Number 35
Get your friends involved & mix it up

If we aren't having fun yet, why will we keep doing it? In this world of instant everything, we can get really bored with out daily crunches, walks and even those classes that had been such a blast when we first signed up for them six weeks ago. What is a person who wants to stay active and have a good time to do? Mix it up!

First and foremost, have FUN with it. Don't think of exercise as a chore or a task, think of it as something to look forward to. The second it starts to bore you, move along. Find a new shiny form of exercise that will keep your attention as well as keeping up your heart rate.

Some great ideas to get you moving and keep you moving are:

Get your friends involved. Start some MOVING groups with your friends, walking (you can use www.WalkOffObesity.com to find people in your area), skipping, running, bicycling, rollerblading, swimming and more. Get creative and think about some unique things you can come up with.

How about a book & bicycling club? Read a book and then talk about it when you get together for your weekly rides. Think outside of the typical exercise box and maybe switch it up enough the people in your group won't have time to get bored.

Try something that you would never think would work, after all, someone had to be the first to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Swimming and make-overs. Give your friends a chance to get as involved as you are at taking care of yourself. After a dip at the pool you could all go out for make-overs or do an "in-house" routine with each of you sharing ideas. Update your wardrobes by sharing accessories, clothes and making free swaps on items.

Do the old clothes swaps as your sizes change. Shop in used clothing stores where you can donate your unwanted items, it is a great way to save money and is always more fun with friends. This is something that can be planned in advance and you can have a section of sizes in your closet that you single out of that will be going on the "swapping" block as soon as you shed enough pounds.

Your own private disco. Want a cheap night in full of laughs? Get a group of people to meet up for weekly moving discos. Let the location and host or hostess change each week, then dance the weight away. You can cut out all the booze, smoke and bad food and make it an evening filled with music and moving. You will have fun at this one.


Make moving and moderation a part of all your friendly activities. Don't get caught out though, when you are planning these fun trips, think about what you are going to eat if you decide to all go to the movies. Smuggle in carrot sticks or decide to go cold turkey and watch the film without the traditional goodies that are loaded with sugar or salt!

CHANGE their minds as you are changing yours and most of all, have fun with it. People do things they enjoy doing easier and faster then they do things that are a chore and a bore!

By Priscilla Houliston
Author of Little Changes
Visit Priscilla at http://www.LittleChanges.com