Human beings need variety in their lives to counter the effects of boredom. It’s vitally important to realize this when planning an exercise routine for fitness and/or weight loss if you want to reach your health goals. With all the best intentions in the world, only the absolutely disciplined and driven among us will persist with an exercise regime that is the same, day in and day out.

Generally speaking, there are three different types of exercise which have different effects on the human body:

• Flexibility exercises (stretching)
• Aerobic exercises (jogging, running, cycling, swimming)
• Anaerobic exercises (weight training)

Fitness gurus usually have their own favorite exercise type, and will become proficient in a range of activities in that type. However for the average person just wanting to lose a bit of weight, improve their stamina and the overall state of their health, a routine free of boredom is the most important consideration. If you become bored with exercise, you will find any excuse to stop doing it, and in a very short space of time.

If you have the time, money, and resources, by all means go to the gym, engage a personal trainer, and buy expensive exercise machines, as long as this keeps you interested. However, you don’t necessarily have to do these things. You can just as easily design your own personal exercise regime by tailoring it around those activities you enjoy the most.

Some of the exercise activities you could choose from include:

• Creative pursuits such as dancing — there are all kinds from traditional ballroom to pole dancing.
• Sports like tennis, badminton, golf, basketball are just a few suggestions.
• Walking — short course events if you are competitive, hiking for endurance, or just a few circuits around the local park.
• Water sports — swimming, water polo, water skiing, water aerobics.
• Martial arts — karate, judo, jujitsu.
• Gentle exercise — tai chi, yoga
• Fads that became mainstream like pilates and aerobics

Start with something simple like walking a couple of times a week, fit in one or two gym sessions, a game of tennis, a long bike ride at the weekend and a dance class. See how that feels for a month or so, then drop off the activities that aren’t appealing, do more of the ones you like but most importantly, add something new every month. Variety is the key to beating the boring exercise blues, and in the process, you will become healthy, attractive and much more interesting!