Is that possible for you to mix up your current routine? Otherwise you would feel bored and you would lose your interest within very short period of time. There are lots of other cardio besides cycling and elliptical.
You have one wrong notion about cardio. Fact is cardio is one of the most important things you can do for your body, whether you want to lose weight, build muscle or improve your health. It could be anything.
Anything that gets your heart rate into your target heart rate zone will work. The confusing thing is, there are so many choices out there...which exercises are the most effective? There's no 'right' cardio exercise and the best choice is the one you enjoy and the one you'll work hardest at, but there are some that work best if your goal is to blast calories and get in great shape.
So read all of suggestion of cardio exercise and their effectiveness and mix it up your current daily workout routine:
1. Running is a great choice for a variety of reasons:
• It doesn't require special equipment (except some quality shoes)
• You can do it just about anytime, anywhere
• It's high impact, which helps build strong bones and connective tissue
• It gets your heart rate up more quickly than low or no impact exercise
• It helps you burn serious calories, especially if you add hills, sprints or try interval training.
In fact, a 145-lb person can burn 300 calories by running at 5.2 mph for 30 minutes. The same person would burn about half of that with a brisk walk. The downside is that it takes time to build the strength and stamina to run continuously and, because it's high impact, it may not work for every person.
2. If you're looking to burn maximum calories, cross-country skiing is an excellent choice. If possible do it occasionally. Whether you're on a gym machine or swooshing over miles of snow, cross-country skiing is an incredible cardio exercise. Because it involves both the upper and lower body, it doesn't take much work to get your heart rate up, which is where the calorie-burn comes in. A 145-lb person burns about 330 calories during 30 minutes of skiing.
There are a few downsides, however. If you're going for the full outdoor experience, you'll need lots of gear, plenty of practice and, of course, snow. You can mimic the movement at the gym by using a crosstrainer (such as an elliptical with arms or an Arc Trainer), but it won't be exactly the same.
3. Swimming is another great choice because, like cross-country skiing, it's a full body exercise. The more body parts you involve in your workout, the more calories you'll burn. Spend 30 minutes doing the breastroke and you'll burn almost 400 calories. Best of all, your joints are fully supported so you don't have to worry about high-impact injuries. It's also great cross-training for other cardio activities.
4. Step aerobics is another great choice, particularly for people who like choreographed workouts, but don't enjoy the jackhammer feel of high impact aerobics. The step offers intensity without the pounding and it's easy to up the energy by adding risers.
It's also a great calorie-burner, targeting your legs, butt and hips while burning 300-400 calories in 30 minutes (during high intensity sessions). Though it might look complicated, step is easy to learn if you start with a beginner class or video.
5. Do you like kickboxing? Kickboxing is another great choice for exercisers who want to work hard with more choreographed workouts. Combining kicks and punches not only enhances your coordination, it involves both the upper and lower body, making this an excellent overall workout.
There are a variety of videos available or you can opt for a class at your local gym to get a more social interaction. Once you're familiar with different kicks and punches, you can even create your own workouts or, better yet, use a punching bag (compare prices) to get an even better workout.
6. Walking is another great choice for cardio because, like running, it's accessible: You don't need special equipment and you can do it anywhere, anytime. It's harder to get your heart rate up with walking since its low impact but, if you work hard at it, a 145-lb person can burn about 180 calories in 30 minutes.
Adding hills, speed walking or using walking poles can also increase the intensity. Make sure you walk briskly--pretend you're trying to catch a bus--and keep you head up, back straight and swing your arms.
7. Jumping rope is another calorie-scorcher and, as an added bonus, a jump rope packs easily in your suitcase, making it an excellent travel exercise. A 145-lb person can burn a whopping 330 calories with a 30-minute workout, but you'll want to slowly work your way up to that.
Start by jumping for 1-2 minutes at a time, taking breaks by marching in place and swinging your rope in a figure eight motion. Continue alternating for 10-20 minutes and, over time, gradually increase the amount of time you jump while decreasing your rests. You can add variety by trying different foot patterns (jumping on one foot, scissor jumps, etc.).
Now you got that there are lots of ways to lose your weight. It would be boring for anyone to practice one for long period of time. So mix it up. It would be motivational and you would not feel bore anymore.
