Rev up your cardio!

We all do it, get in the same rut and do the same workouts at home or at the gym and thats when your body gets used to the routine and the workouts stop working for your body and you get stuck. You stop seeing results and get frustrated. So I want you all to start changing a few things about your cardio.  You should change the type of cardio you do, for example if you always get on the eliptical switch to the treadmill for one workout, ride the bike, jump rope, take a kick boxing class etc. The more you switch it up the harder it is for your body to get used to the workout and it will help prevent plateaus. Also you will need to up the intensity as well. You should always be pushing your self to go faster, work at a harder level push your body to its max and then go past it. Thats how you get results and get better. You also wont get bored with your workouts and it will help you to stay motivated. If you normally run inside on a treadmill take it outside to switch it up a bit. Go to bodyrock.tv and get some awesome cardio workouts (for free) and try them, you don't have to go to the gym to do them and most only take 15-20 min. I love the workouts from there, they are very challenging and really make you sweat.  Interval training will also challenge your body and keep it guessing. You want to start at a pace that requires you to work at 75-80% of your body's maximum for a period of time then go up to 90-100% for shorter bursts then back down. For example running at a 6.5 speed on the treadmill for 2 min. then upping it to 8.0 for 1 min. then back down and keep repeating. You also should do cardio for a minimum of 30 minutes  a day, try to go longer if you can't keep up the intensity the entire workout.  Try my lunge workout on the treadmill. I usually do it after running or riding the bike for a little extra push. Set the treadmill at the steepest incline it will go, put the speed at 3.0 walk for 2 min, take the speed down to 1.5 and do walking lunges w/back leg lift for 1 min. repeat and try to go for 20 min if you can. It is a killer and will make you sweat, not to mention get a great tush!!  So get out of your comfort zone, quit doing the same old boring workout day in and day out and have fun!

Here are some things I like to do:
1) Jillian Michaels Cardio Kickboxing DVD
2) Swimming
3) Running
4) Walking lunges up hill on the treadmill
5) Bike riding
6) Jump rope