Mixing Things Up
| July 30, 2012 | Posted by Carrie under exercise goals, Running, Yoga |
I think we all know the importance of mixing things up – whether in your daily routine to challenge your brain, or in your workout to challenge your body.
On the subject of strengthening your brain, the article linked above shows the benefits of doing puzzles, brushing your teeth with the wrong hand or driving a different route to work. While I don’t do it often, I do realize the importance of not doing your daily tasks in a fog. I have often driven away from my house and thought I didn’t turn off the oven, close the garage door or whatever because I did it all without noticing.
Your workouts can be the same way. Your body gets so used to the routine and goes through the workout without paying attention.
I decided that it was time for mixing things up this weekend. I usually go for a long run and then take the next day as a rest day. This weekend, I took Friday as a rest day and then went for my long run on Saturday. My run was 7.5 miles and it was rather great. Then, on Sunday I went to the gym for a combination workout – 30 minutes on the elliptical, a mile run and then my favorite yoga class.
i love mixing things up! it’s such a nice change from ordinary. when i was little my cousin and i used to try writing left-handed all the time. after about 10 minutes we’d get frustrated and give up:)
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Get Your Good Going
That sounds like a hilarious thing to do (and you didn’t even know that it was good for you).
Brushing my teeth with my left hand? That’s a great idea. I get way angrier at myself than I should, when I realize how un-ambidextruous I am with a lot of things.
Mike @ Midwestern Bite recently posted..Commenting on the Florida Avocado
I don’t really think the goal is to become ambidextrous, it’s more about challenging your brain to think differently.
In college I used to entertain myself in boring classes by writing with my left hand. Maybe I should revisit that! LOl Great ideas to mix things up in workouts and otherwise!
Jan recently posted..HyVee Ironkids Cedar Rapids Triathlon
Ha, not only entertaining, but good for your brain as well.
I try to eat with my left hand sometimes. lol. I have, because of this pesky foot, been forced to change my workout a lot recently.
Good job mixing things up – but for an unfortunate reason. I hope your food is getting better.
Interesting about the brushing your teeth idea. I will have to try that:) Can’t wait to hear how crossfit goes. I really want to try that!
hikermom recently posted..I Found Me!
Did you see the piece on Ryan Lochte about his cross-training cross-fit type workouts? Must be something to it!
Great points! It really is so helpful to trick our body and change up the routine. I’m on my 2 week shin break, and am actually enjoying trying some new things… but I’m also antsy to get back to running. I’m giving my self til Wednesday!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Labor Day 5 or 10 Mile Virtual Run – Registration open!
I hope Wednesday is a good run! Sometimes when I mix things up for a few days, I really enjoy the run all that much more.
I have been mixing it up a lot more lately with biking, elliptical workouts and more HIIT workouts. I keep thinking I should add in yoga too.
Christy @My Dirt Road Anthem recently posted..Finish This: July
Definitely try yoga! I’ve been really happy with the relaxation and the stretching and the muscle work. My teacher has this amazing voice and I love to listen to her talk.
I am always mixing things up with my routine! I tend to get bored anyways when my workouts become monotonous and repetitive. I always like to spice things up with new exercises and forms of training!
Brittany recently posted..Mila Giveaway!!!!
Great job! I can learn something from you on this, it’s so easy to slip back in to doing what’s easy and simple.
Right now just getting in consistent exercise will be mixing it up for me. But I relate with what your point is here, I have struggled to stay interested in exercise when it becomes too routine to grab my attention. It’s a personal flaw, I need to be stronger than that, but we can always find the variety we need is we look hard enough.
Patrick recently posted..Examples Are So Close
I don’t think it’s a personal flaw as much as human nature. We need to be challenged. Even if walking is your thing – it’s always good to just change your location, that does wonders. Or if you do the same route, do it in the opposite direction.
Thanks for the reminder. it IS good to mix things up – and I hope you enjoy your knitting. I love to do this kind of thing while watching tv, too, I can never sit and JUST watch tv… if I do I want to munch!
Elle recently posted..My Monday Run
Oh, I really want to remember how to knit again. I haven’t done it since my kids were little. I think I’m beyond youtube videos — I need to go to a live class!
Coco recently posted..Sultry Summer Run
It’s funny, now that you mention it….I don’t ever brush my teeth with my left hand. I never really though of it. I did have a conversation with someone about flushing the toilet and which hand we use to do that. I spin around and do it with my right, even though the knob is on the left side. Good luck with the knitting. I have a few half started scarves I am “working” on!
Travel Spot recently posted..Then and Now: July
I never even noticed what hand I used to flush the toilet. But, it’s my right. I had a lot of unfinished knitting projects. But, they were all pretty challenging, so I started something new and super easy.