If you’ve been working out hard in the gym and saw results initially but they have slowed down, you may have hit what we call workout plateaus and these tips will help you get back on track fast.
Are you finding yourself stuck in your workouts? I mean you are putting in the work at the gym or home gym but not seeing the results like you did the first few months you began working out on the regular? Then you hit what we call workout plateaus.
I know this can be discouraging, to say the least, but there is something probably in effect here: ROUTINE!!!!
Yes I said it. The very thing that helped you see your earlier weight loss success is not continuing to give you the same results.
I mean it seems to make sense: do what it takes to reduce weight and inches to improve my overall health and fitness and I should be able to continue doing that very same thing until I reach my desired weight, size or health goal right?
Change up your routine to bust plateaus
What does this mean? If you normally get on the treadmill and walk at 3 mph for 60 minutes, do something different like crank up the speed to 4.0 mph and incline to 5 (if you are able) to really up your sweat factor, get that heart rate going in order to burn excess fat and calories.
That will definitely shock the body and jump-start results.
Push yourself
If while exercising you can easily have conversation with friends then you are not pushing yourself hard enough. Intensity is the key here.
Whether that means jogging at a quicker pace for further distances, increasing the cadence in which you repeat an exercise or finally leaving those 2 lb weights behind and increasing them to a heavier set like 8 lbs to 10 lbs INTENSIFY your workout.
However you change things up, begin to get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable to further jump-start results again.
Check your diet
Real talk, we give ourselves A LOT of credit for eating clean.
I know I do.
There are loads of calories many are eating and drinking and are undercounting. If you are serious about results then you need to be SERIOUS about what you are consuming on a DAILY basis.
Every little bit counts.
My Fitness Pal has a great food tracker with a lot of the common foods and restaurant menus already loaded so all you have to do is search for your food item, select it, select the portion size and it tells you the macros in the food and the amount of calories it has.
That can be an eye opener!
Control what you eat and I am confident you will begin to see results again.
Not getting enough rest
This one may not be intuitive but it is extremely important. The magic happens when the body is at rest.
It uses that time to repair, restore and to rebuild. When you aren’t giving your body the proper amount of rest (6 to 8 hours a night) it can halt progress.
Not getting enough rest and sleep can also cause your body to hold on to the excess fat and weight so make sure you get a good night’s rest every night to continue to see results along your fitness journey.
Let’s wrap this up
Remember, the body is highly adaptive so you will always have to continue to change up your routine like every 3 to 6 weeks to keep it guessing and to break through plateaus.
The change will do the body good.
Don’t on’t forget to rest your body. It isn’t being lazy, it’s being smart so the body can come back and perform even stronger.
Which of these tips do you plan to incorporate into your workout routine?
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19 Replies to "4 Tips To Break Through Workout Plateaus"
Deborah
Twitter: deborahbrooks14
October 3, 2014 (8:22 am)
Yes doing periodic diet checks are always helpful- we all get lax and need a reminder
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
October 3, 2014 (11:50 am)
Yes ma’am.
Heather
Twitter: fitaspire
October 3, 2014 (1:43 pm)
You hit my go-to approach here – something different. new workout, new timing, new goal. Really helps me too!
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
October 3, 2014 (3:54 pm)
Yes we have to change things up every now and again. Thanks for stopping by Heather.
o
steph
Twitter: FitMomTraining
October 3, 2014 (2:38 pm)
Excellent tips! Plateau’s are so frustrating! Busting through them is so liberating.
o
Rena (An Ordinary Housewife)
Twitter: AOHousewife
October 3, 2014 (6:12 pm)
I’m still struggling to get into a routine in the first place. But now I know what to do when I hit a plateau.
o
jill conyers
Twitter: jillconyers
October 3, 2014 (6:29 pm)
Great tips! Information that many will find helpful!
o
Heather
Twitter: divasrunbling
October 3, 2014 (7:21 pm)
I love the change up your routine. Variety is the spice of life and changing it up keeps your body guessing what comes next
o
Christine
Twitter: cyu888
October 3, 2014 (8:31 pm)
Plateaus are definitely frustrating. For me, it’s usually because I’ve gotten so used to and comfortable with my workout and it’s a great reminder to mix things up AND to check my diet.
o
Jamie October 3, 2014 (10:24 pm)
I needed this reminder cause I’ve gotten lax a bit…thank you!
Rachel October 3, 2014 (10:42 pm)
Great tips… I don’t have any to share as my plateau seems to be turning more into an UPhill than a downhill 😉
o
Janice - Fitness Cheerleader
Twitter: fitcheerldr
October 4, 2014 (7:42 am)
Great tips! I hit a fitness plateau last year and hired a personal trainer to help break through it. I learned how much harder I’m capable of working out at, how to change up my routine and a ton of exercises I can do on my own. I also ended up becoming good friends with my trainer.
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
October 4, 2014 (11:04 am)
That is an excellent idea – get a trainer to push you.
Amanda H
Twitter: eathardworkhard
October 8, 2014 (10:48 am)
Great tips Diatta! So important to remember to switch things up! #wowlinkup
o
Cassi
Twitter: lawrtw
October 9, 2014 (11:18 am)
I get bored easily so I can tell that way or by my HRM not reflecting as much of a burn. I then know it’s time to move on to the next level or a new program.
o
Catherine
Twitter: FitArmadillo
October 12, 2014 (11:09 pm)
Thanks for being real with these tips! I’m definitely guilty of thinking that I’ve been eating super healthy and running a lot more than I really am. Logging things helps me just as much as it helps my clients 🙂 #wowlinkup
o
Markita
Twitter: sweshfit
October 12, 2014 (11:15 pm)
So that’s an online routine that you trainer put together? Look like a good way to switch things up!
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
October 13, 2014 (4:59 am)
That’s his online boot camp for those of us who can’t get there in person. It’s good.
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