Breaking the weight loss plateau and boosting your metabolism is easier when you exercise in new, different, fun ways. Out of these 10 new ways to work out, I can almost guarantee you’ll find one that intrigues you!

“I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing,” said Marsh Doble. She also quipped, “My idea of exercise is a good brisk sit.”

By the way, if you want to live longer, try golfing. New research shows that the death rate for golfers is 40% lower than for non-golfers of the same sex, socioeconomic status, and age. This translates to a life expectancy of five years longer than the rest of the population! (Click the book cover for more information about boosting your metabolism).

Okay, these new ways to work out will have you burning calories, boosting your metabolism, and breaking your weight loss plateau before your brain figures out what the heck’s going on…

10 New Ways to Work Out

1. Nia is a whole-body expressive exercise - a fitness experience - that blends 9 movement forms, is done barefoot to music, and enhances the mind-body-spirit connection. It’s self-guided, which means you don’t have to “follow the leader.” Nia can boost your metabolism by encouraging your body to move in new ways, which will startle it out of its weight loss plateau.

2. Laughter Yoga combines breathing movements with “tee-hee-hee’s” and “ha-ha-ha’s” to increase energy, lift moods, and relieve tension, increases oxygen flow, lower blood pressure, decrease stress hormones, and increases immune function. “We can now laugh at will, for absolutely no reason, and we get all the health benefits,” says laughter yoga teacher Jeffrey Briar of the Laughter Yoga Institute. “Plus, when done in a group, any ‘forced’ laughter quickly becomes real due to the social factor.”

3. Beach Tennis is a new way to work out that combines a regulation beach volleyball court with tennis, and suits all skill levels. It can be played with strangers or family - a great way to meet people. Beach tennis will get you sweating fast, which will boost your metabolism quickly! To really break that weight loss plateau, play it regularly (just trying it once may not be terribly effective).

4. Capoeira is a new way to work out for many North Americans; it combines self-defense, music and acrobatics. Capoeira encourages women to be strong, confident, and powerful. Other dance workouts include Teasersize, the Showgirl Workout, Pole Dancing, Belly Dancing, Hip Hop, jazzercise, etc - any type of dancing and sweating will trim your muscles, build new brain cells, and boost your metabolism. Plus, they increase your weight loss motivation.

5. Dragon Boat Racing is, for me, a new way to work out that improves back, shoulder, and arm strength - and research shows that it increases the health of breast cancer survivors. Or, try canoeing or kayaking for an exhilarating challenge or restorative activity. Using your arms and upper body can break your weight loss plateau by using muscle groups in different ways.

6. Bhangra Aerobics is a lively form of folk music and dance, originating in India. Other forms of aerobics include aerobic boxing, step aerobics, and kwando. Any type of aerobics that gets your heart pumping and the sweat flowing will boost your metabolism - especially if you do it regularly. Once is never enough!

7. Vocal Gym is a playful way to wake up both your body and your voice. Yoga poses and simple body movements are combined with song - for both singers and non-singers alike. This is a great work out if you’re recovering from illness, interested in trying a new way to work out that’s not overly strenuous, or needing a change from your regular exercise routine.

8. Dance Sport combines the beauty and grace of ballroom dancing with the thrill of competition. Though ballroom dancing isn’t exactly a “new” way to work out, we often forget how dancing improves brain health, coordination, and intimacy between couples. If your ballroom dancing makes you feel graceful and fluid, you’ll be motivated to keep working through your weight loss plateau.

9. Dru Yoga keeps joints relaxed, which creates a free flow of energy. It balances the chakras, improves spine flexibility, reduces back pain and controls stress. Dru yoga is about accessing the heart, healing painful emotions, and relieving your body of negative energy. This “new” way to work out involves becoming emotionally grounded, which makes emotional eating less likely - which in turn can help you break your weight loss plateau.

10. Hoop Fitness strengthens your core, sculpts your waistline, and relieves anxiety. It’s easy to do at home (with your kids!); weighted hoops and videos are available on the internet. While “hula hooping” isn’t a new way to work out, hoop fitness led by a qualified, experienced instructor can boosts your metabolism by forcing your hips and core to move in new ways. Plus, it’ll make you laugh. 

If you found 10 New Ways to Work Out (& Boost Your Metabolism) helpful, try:

• Anti-Aging Food Tips: What to Eat to Stay Young
• 10 Tips on Healthy Foods, Fitness, & Maintaining Weight Loss
• 8 Surprising Quotations About Beauty

• July 27, 2008 -- Throwing Caution to the Wind: How to Find New Ways to Work Out
• July 6, 2008 -- Fitness Myths & Facts From a Professional Personal Trainer
• June 30, 2008 -- 6 Ways to Increase Your Weight Loss Motivation With Martha Beck
• June 26, 2008 -- Easy Ways to Like Your Body Better
• November 13, 2008 -- How the Miami Mediterranean Diet Goes Beyond Weight Loss