If you’ve been working out consistently for any decent amount of time, then progress should be very much evident. Even when you’re not lifting heavy weights, the physical changes and general wellness should be clear. This is the general result of any decent workout program as offered by Fast Fitness in the Loo.
But what happens when progress starts to slow down? What happens when you don’t see the kind of expected results that you had in mind?
If your regular workout program isn’t invigorating anymore, you’ve most likely hit a fitness plateau?
What’s a fitness plateau?
A fitness plateau refers to a situation when regular exercises are not producing the kind of results you expect. This usually happens quickly, say within a few days. Such a dramatic change can be unnerving, even for seasoned fitness buffs. The human body has a remarkable ability to adapt to stress, especially those of physical exercises. If, for example, you start out lifting 20 pounds of weight every day, the body will adapt to this weight. This means that after a few weeks, such a weight will be easy, requiring you to increase it.
This is the major reason for fitness plateaus, and it’s why you need to change your exercises from time to time.
Overcoming a fitness plateau means doing the following:
Making slight alterations to your workout routine
Monotony is the culprit responsible for many cases of lack of progress or upward mobility, workouts included. You can quickly fall into a routine when you are so set in your (workout) ways. While routine helps with consistency, it has the disadvantage of encouraging boredom and monotony, leading to complacency. Making small changes to your exercise routines or intensity can significantly impact your training response. If, for example, you’ve been using treadmills for cardiovascular exercises, try outdoors jogging for a change. If you’ve been doing 100 pushups in 5 minutes, change it up to under 2 minutes. Such variations push you out of your body’s comfort zone and help to keep things fresh, meaning less chance of a fitness plateau.
Track your fitness progress
It’s very challenging to make changes if you don’t have objective metrics by which to measure variations. This is especially true with physical exercises. Without a reliable way of quantifying your physical exertions, it becomes hard to know if you’re hitting a plateau and not making progress. Start by keeping a score of the exact nature and actual repetitions of any particular exercise. For example, you can record the number of reps and specific weights used for every particular strength training exercise. You can also do a stress test of your physical strength every few weeks to gauge whether or not you’re regressing. This can help you quickly identify plateaus in your workout and address them.
Paying attention to your nutrition
The importance of nutrition to any physical workout program cannot be overstated. This means that you need to always be aware of the amount and types of foods you’re consuming. Physically demanding exercises mean that you need to be in top shape. Being in top shape has a lot to do with a balanced diet that accounts for your physical needs. Consuming the right amounts of the essential nutrients means that you’ll have the right amount of energy to perform the needed exercises effectively hence continuous progress and not stagnation.
As part of keeping your body well-nourished, drinking enough water ensures that you’re not dehydrated, something that can seriously hamper your workout efforts.
Get enough rest
The best workout programs in the world will not be beneficial if you’re always worn out. Your body needs enough rest to recover from all the physical exertions, which is crucial for keeping healthy. A fitness plateau resulting from chronic fatigue could be the first sign of trouble. Always endeavor to give your body enough rest, breaking the cycle of chronic fatigue and burnout, which are closely associated with hitting a fitness plateau.
Use progressive overload
Progressive overload is the idea of consistently increasing the scope and physical demands of the exercises you perform. This means your body will have to keep adapting to the changing intensity, something good for dealing with a fitness plateau. Progressive overload should also account for your taste in any particular workout program. You are less likely to keep up with workouts that you don’t enjoy. This means that consistency and progress depend on you performing exercises that you enjoy. Performing such exercises means you’re more likely to stay motivated and avoid hitting a rut.
Ultimately, you want to structure your physical exercise program in such a way as to avoid factors that can quickly lead to a fitness plateau and burnout.
Hey welcome to my blog . I am a modern women who love to share any tips on lifestyle, health, travel. Hope you join me in this journey!
Speak Your Mind