jillianduch
I luv the elliptical trainer. After a long (fun-filled) day at work, I climb up, turn on my music, and coast along at the same settings I've used for six months or so now. Between 35 and 45 minutes later, I'm covered with a small sheen of perspiration that seems to have absorbed the stress from the day.

But (sigh) apparently that's not good enough.

I was recently informed that one must mix up their exercise a bit or the body adjusts to the point that workouts just aren't effective anymore. I kinda knew that and tried an interval routine on the elliptical after the 3-Day, HATED it, and went back to my old favorite.

In the spirit of maintaining comfort zones, I did a Google search to see if I could find a short article, quick and easy, that supported continuing the same workout routine for years. Instead, I found this, which suggested four to eight weeks. (I ignored the main URL name - The truth about abs - because frankly, I don't want to think about the truth of my abs. Isn't cardio enough for now??? :)

So Monday, I did a comfortable 20 minutes on the elliptical to get warmed up and dragged myself over to the Stairmaster. Sadly, the last time I used the machine, I was in much worse shape and hated the fact that you SINK if you can't keep up. I suppose that's the point. But still, it's a horrible way to end the day.

Anyway, I did 20 minutes on the Stairmaster without sinking. And it was so not-bad I'll do it again. I figure for the next month or so my workouts will consist of 20 minutes each on the elliptical, Stairmaster, and bike.

Then, MAYBE, I'll work my way into that icky interval routine on the elliptical. This article tells me that interval training is a great way to burn fat and get in shape. That should be enough incentive to stick with it for four to eight weeks, right?

What do y'all do to stay in shape when it's super-cold outside?

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