For years, my workouts have been pretty predictable.   Swim 4,000 meters 2-3 days a week….run 5-7 miles a couple of days a week and Saturdays at La Jolla Cove for a 2-3 mile ocean swim.   I know.   Pretty boring….but it worked for me.  I knew there were other ways to stay fit…but I was in a rut.   Well…a major running injury last year forced me to shake up my workout routine.   And as devastated as I was about taking a break from running….it’s turned out to be a kind of blessing in disguise.  

    I’ve learned yoga is a really good workout.   Weight training feels great.  And you can get a pretty good endorphin “buzz” on the recumbant bicycle.  Who knew??!!   Well, spring is right around the corner and if your workouts are feeling a little flat…I thought I’d pass along some great tips on beating workout boredom I came across in the April issue of Fitness Magazine.

    If you pound away calories on the treadmill going one speed….at one incline…you may be missing out.  Fitness trainer Jamie Norcini suggests playing with the control panel.  After a 5-minute warm-up…jog 2 minutes…then walk two minutes and end the set with a sprint.  Repeat the cycle for 30 minutes.  The time will fly by.  For a little variety, Norcini recommends placing a pair of dumbbells beside the machine and jump off every 3 minutes to do one minute of arm toners.

    If you’re tired of training solo….become a groupie and get a workout buddy or two.  Check out the local running and swimming clubs.   Fitness Magazine even offers help finding a virtual partner at their website www.fitnessmagzzine.com/findabuddy.

     If spinning’s your thing…but you’re tired of going nowhere fast…bring your mind (and the motivation) back into your workout.  Spinning insturctor Karen Dubs suggests setting a positive intention and use it as a mantra between the lower and higher intesity portions of your workout.   Then there’s my personal vavorite motivational technique.  Fire up your i-Pod and change the way you ride with every song.  The variety of  music and techniques will keep things interesting.

    If you’re bored with your elliptical workout….take it in a different direction.  After a few minutes at a steady pace….set the resistance and do four strokes forward….then four strokes backward.  Repeat for 2 minutes before returning to your original pace.   As an added bonus….every time you change direction….you work your core to maintain balance.

    If you’re down on your downward dog….no problem!  With so many yoga hybrids to sample….there’s no need to get stuck in a holding pattern.  I hadn’t even heard of Iron Yoga and Hip Hop Yoga (thanks Kanye and Rihanna!)  There’s also Pole Yoga, Antigravity Yoga and Buddah Camp (yoga, tai chi and Pilates all in one!)

   If you love to lift….but need a change…Quit counting reps.  Popular Los Angeles-based trainer Lalo Fuentes says lift until you can’t go one rep further with good form.  Then move on.  He also recommends tinkering with your technique.  Do fewer reps.  Pause at several points throughout each move to work your muscles better. 

     If the fun has gone out of your run…sign up for a charity walk to give you a whole new purpose.   You can also alternate speed-walking with your run.  Chances are you’ll go even farther!

   And if the weather’s got you wimping out….recreate your fair-weather routine indoors.  You can turn your road bike into a stationary one by mountintg it on a Cycle Ops Magnetic Bike Trainer….or run in place with the Stamina InTone Jogger trampoline.   It’s not my thing…but I know many people who swear by their workout dvd’s.  There are literally hundreds from which to choose.

      Hey!  It’s been three months since you made that new year’s resolution to get in shape.   Don’t let boredom stop you now.   Shake things up and you won’t want to stop….ever!!

    With President Obama’s declaration that troop witdrawal from Iraq will begin  in August of 2010…many Americans feel a sense of relief that many of our fighting men and women may soon be out of harm’s way.  And that may be true.  But what we must NEVER forget are those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and still bear the scars of battle.

    I recently learned about a special program designed espcially for injured service by Naval Medical Center San Diego….and thought you might be encouraged to know our injured heroes will not be forgotten.    I want to share with you excerpts from an article written by Mass Communication Specialst 3rd Class, Jake Berenguer.

     “Navy Medicine provides significant treatment to injured combatants not only through first response in theater, but also through a continuum of care starting with the transition back to the United States and throughout the recovery process.

     Project Comprehensive Aesthetic Recovery Effort (Project C.A.R.E.) is a multi-disciplinary patient care initiative to help restore function and appearance of traumatically injured service members.”

     According the Cmdr. (Dr.) Craig Salt….head of the department of plastic surgery at Naval Medical Center San Diego….lack of proper function or the emotional repercussions of a patient with the scars of a severe injury needed to be addressed.  Cmdr. Salt is spearheading Project C.A.R.E. to improve the aesthetic appearance of combat injuries to those who have given so much in the line of duty.

     “Patients often have a hard time coping with the stares of strangers or even looking at their own reflection, says Cmdr. Salt.  “I decided to be proactive and seek them out to let them know what options were available to them.  I wanted to fix what can be fixed and help them with their appearance post injury.”

     According to Berenguer’s article, Project C.A.R.E. consolidates resources through Navy Medical Center to address a patient’s needs through multiple disciplines.   Using a team approach to medical and supportive services, each patient is individually evaluated and a comprehensive treatment plan is formulated.

     Cmdr. Salt adds, “I wanted to work in tandem with anyone who could be beneficial to the recovery of the patients.  I am seeking out contributions of emotional support from chaplains, or the talents of dermatologists and neurosurgeons.  This needs to be a collective effort to restore form, function and esteem.”

     Berenguer spoke with one of Cmdr. Salt’s patients….Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony Guerrero.  “He has helped me out so much.  He is making a huge difference in people’s lives.”  Guerrero was injured in an explosion Sept. 9, 2006 while serving in Iraq.   He suffered serious facial injuries.

    Cmdr. Salt replaced missing bone in Guerro’s face with an artifical structure to fill an indention.  Laser surgery removed the powder furns from the explosion to lessen the visibility of the scars.

      As with so many injured soldiers and Marines….the issue after a debilitating injury is self esteem.    “After the blast, I didn’t look like myself,” said Guerrero.  ” Since beginning the surgical reconstruction, I feel so much better about myself.  I can definitely see a huge improvement and look more like I used to.”

    Cmdr. Salt’s hope is that Project C.A.R.E. will grow through promotion and coordination efforts throughout all branches of the military.

   Project C.A.R.E.  picks up after an injured patient’s regular treament ends.  And for some….that’s where the real recovery begins.   Cmdr. Salts says a handful of patients have been helped so far…and after pitching the idea to several other military hospitals…the potential for growth is immense.     Cmdr. Salt’s hope is this, “We want to help each service member identify their needs and work as a team to restore their form, function and self image.”

     Do our courageous American heroes deserve anything less?       If you’d like more information about Project C.A.R.E. visit:   http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcsd/Patients/Pages/ProjectCARE.aspx.