Stay Motivated: Mix Up Your Fitness Routine

Exercise variety may help reduce dementia risk as well. A 2005 study published by researchers at The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of Pittsburgh found that dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, occurred less frequently in people aged 65 or older who participated in more physical activities, from gardening to jogging to golfing. (Of course, if you're planning on becoming much more physically active than you are now, you'll want to check with your health care professional first. 

Making a switch

Want to try something different? Bushman, co-author of an American College of Sports Medicine book, Action Plan for Menopause (Human Kinetics, 2005), has this advice:

• Start out easy and slow.
• Keep your intensity lower and the time shorter for your new physical endeavor than for your regular one.
• Give yourself time to learn the specific skills or techniques needed for proficiency.
• Consider your new interest an addition to your regular routine until you progress to your usual level of exertion. Then think about fitting it into your overall fitness program.

Take a hike (or bike)

If you usually walk for exercise, taking up hiking is just, well, a step beyond. Hiking over natural terrain burns more calories than brisk walking (193 to 129 calories per 30 minutes for a 135-lb. woman) and it's lots more fun. What's more, when you go hiking on a scenic trail, you'll usually spend more time at it than when you walk around a boring track.

To begin, the American Hiking Society suggests you start with short distances and then gradually advance to two- or three-mile hikes. When you're comfortable with those lengths, try a longer weekend day hike that might include more challenging trails. For day hikes, be sure to take water, healthy snacks, a map and a compass.

It's important to pick a trail that's suitable for your hiking level. You'll find information on hiking trails, gear and clubs at http://www.AmericanHiking.org.