Beat Workout Boredom

So Over Pounding the Pavement

Instant replay: Multitask through the miles to keep your mind from asking "Are we there yet?" Try our fresh firming walking plan here. Or sign up for a charity walk to put new purpose into your strides (find one near you at active.com). On the treadmill? Mix things up with some hip-slimming side slides: Set incline to 0 to 2 percent, speed to 2.0 to 3.0 mph. Turn body to the right, holding front bar with left hand and side bar with right hand. Step left leg to left, then bring right leg to meet left. Continue for 2 minutes. Turn body to face forward, walk normally for 30 seconds, then switch sides and repeat. Another idea: Speed-walk for 2 minutes at an incline of 10, then lower it to 1 for 2 minutes, keeping your speed the same.

Gear shift: Walk this way! Order pedometers ($3.75) from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's walkingworks.com for yourself and a few friends, then ask everyone to log their steps on the site. The goal? To reach 10,000 steps per day. The more active you are, the more bragging rights you'll have among your pals.