Before I left for my trip last week I was hardly working out. I just wasn’t in the workout zone.

But because I was so bored while I was there, I started working out again. I spent a little time on the cardio machines in the gym, but the rest of the time I was working out in my hotel room to FitTV and it awakened something within me.

It helped me remember how lovely exercise can be when it’s done on my own terms, without any pressure to achieve something specific.

My exercise routine shifts and changes pretty regularly.

Sometimes all I want to do is run. I like to train for races, but sometimes this can be too much pressure and can get boring.

Sometimes all I want to do is  flip the channels on the TV. I honor periods of laziness because I hate forcing myself to do something I don’t want to do, but the end result is usually a perpetual feeling of sluggishness.

Sometimes it’s somewhere in between, and those are actually my favorite times.

I prefer a mixture of weight training, light cardio, yoga and sometimes in tense cardio. It keeps me interested and challenges my body in new ways.

In the winter, I tend to favor working out at home rather than doing anything outside or going to the gym. Partly because it’s so freaking cold outside and partly because there is hardly any sunlight and I turn into a bit of a hermit in the winter months.

Luckily, I have all the tools I need at home to stay fit.

I have an elliptical, free weights, resistance bands, several DVDs as well as OnDemand workouts. The variety is neverending.

I’ve actually had serious DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness) the past two days simply from doing at-home workouts.

Another tool that I simply adore is a pedometer.

I am obsessed with pedometers! It is such a great tool to increase activity throughout the day. I set a goal of 10,000 to 15,000 steps a day and refuse to go to bed until I meet my goal.

This may mean parking further away, taking an extra trip while carrying in the groceries, or jumping on the elliptical for 15 minutes before I take my evening shower.

Of course, when I’m training for a race, I tend to get my steps pretty easily, but when I’m just working out moderately it can be a bit more challenging.

So, now that I’ve gotten a kick in the workout pants I’ve actually formed somewhat of a workout schedule. It looks something like this.

Monday: body pump, yoga or at-home strength/cardio workout

Tuesday: cardio + abs

Wednesday: body pump, yoga or at-home strength/cardio workout

Thursday: REST

Friday: light cardio + abs

Saturday: yoga, light cardio or REST

Sunday: yoga, body pump or REST

The key to success for me is variety and flexibility and this schedule provides just that.

Q’s:

Does winter tend to alter your workout schedule?

Do you ever wear a pedometer?