Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’ve had a busy week of work and writing. It has turned cooler to my chagrin. I’m ready for summer. I’m ready for running outside, boating, and hiking. I went on my first hike last weekend, and it was amazing. The earthy smell of the woods and the sun beating down on my shoulders lifted my spirits.
![Variety: The Key to any Successful Exercise Plan Variety: The Key to any Successful Exercise Plan](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/772/7727472/variety-the-key-to-any-successful-exercise-pl-L-koroog.png)
Did you know you burn the same amount of calories walking as you do running? I find that interesting. If I hike four miles or run four miles, it’s the same number of calories. The benefits of both types of exercise are different, though.
For example, when I run, I burn calories, I build muscles, and my heart gets a workout. This is important because heart disease runs in my family, and this is the main reason why I run. Of course, there’s the runner’s high I get, but that’s a different benefit. It’s good for my brain, releasing those endorphins that make me feel good mentally.
![Variety: The Key to any Successful Exercise Plan Variety: The Key to any Successful Exercise Plan](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/772/7727472/variety-the-key-to-any-successful-exercise-pl-L-E8dZ7O.png)
Running is also a stress reliever. It helps me deal with the stress from everyday living. It helps calm me down when I have to deal with an irritable neighbor or just dealing with people in general.
Hiking is also a stress reliever. It calms me when I walk in the woods. It’s also good for me because I breathe in Phytoncides. These are microbes that boost my immune system. Hiking also burns calories. The same number as running.
![Variety: The Key to any Successful Exercise Plan Variety: The Key to any Successful Exercise Plan](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/772/7727472/variety-the-key-to-any-successful-exercise-pl-L-TEvgfj.png)
So, where is all this leading? Good question. In my humble opinion, the secret to maintaining an exercise regiment is variety. Sometimes I hike and sometimes I run. Sometimes I walk on the treadmill when I can’t go outside, and sometimes I lift weights.
It’s this variety that keeps me exercising approximately five days a week. The experts say that exercising five days a week for approximately one hour is a great deterrent for a variety of health problems like cancer, obesity, and heart disease. It’s also good for your brain. Exercise releases those endorphins that make you feel good and brighten your mood.
![Variety: The Key to any Successful Exercise Plan Variety: The Key to any Successful Exercise Plan](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/772/7727472/variety-the-key-to-any-successful-exercise-pl-L-8YTrRU.png)
So, get out there and get moving. You’ll be glad you did. Thanks for reading my post. What are your favorite forms of exercise? Leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!