Is It Time to Challenge Yourself?

When it comes to exercise, most of stick with the same old activities and routines day after day. There's some comfort in that routine, in knowing exactly what you're going to do and exactly how it's going to feel, but it can also lead to stale, boring workouts.

The start of a fresh month also brings fresh possibilities. Even if you enjoy your routine, nothing is quite so refreshing and confidence-building than taking on a new challenge. Each time we step out of the comfort zone, we're taking a risk and risk-taking is the only way to know what we're really capable of.

This week, I'm issuing some challenges in order to nudge you out into the unknown and see what you're made of. Pick one from the list below or, if those don't work for you, come up with your own challenge. Either way, do something to step out of your comfort zone this week, no matter how small that step is.

- Exercise. If you don't exercise at all, your challenge is to exercise at least once this week. Doesn't matter what you do or how long you do it, as long as it involves moving your entire body in some continuous, rhythmic fashion.

- Try something new. If you tend to do the same activities all the time, like I do, I challenge you to try one new activity this week...and I do mean new, as in something you've never, ever tried before. It could be 5 minutes of bellydancing or 8 minutes on that scary machine in the corner at the gym that everyone's afraid of.

- Push yourself. If you usually don't work very hard during your workouts, your challenge is to push yourself. Somewhere in your workout, insert a high intensity interval of some kind - sprinting, power walking up a hill, jump roping, manic dancing, whatever. How hard can you go and for how long?

- Rest. If you're a hardcore exerciser who never takes a day off, your challenge is to...do nothing. Not as easy as it looks, is it?

- Try the 30-Day Fitness Challenge. If you're looking to shake things up even more, this e-course offers both physical and mental challenges for the next 30 days.