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3 Ways to Fight the Fitness Plateau

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July 9, 2013

I’m sure you’ve heard of the dreaded plateau in weight loss. Many suggest that the way to avoid it is to change up your workout. But, sometimes it isn’t that easy. We cling to what is familiar and don’t know where to branch out. The key to overall health and fitness is keep moving and growing. Find the joy in your everyday life and use it as exercise.  Here are three steps to keep things fresh, fun and challenging.

1. Ignore the White Rabbit

There is a little White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland in all of us.  We rush everywhere, trying to stay on schedule. But what if you ignore the time? What if you stop using your Garmin or FitBug to keep track of your every move?  Instead of going for the hardcore class at the gym that makes you grimace, find something that excites you more.  That sword play or fit and tone dance class will work new muscles groups and feel less like exercise than your old routine.

2.  Work Hard, Play Hard

Think back to when you were a kid. Did you enjoy playing a sport, doing gymnastics or were you all about jazz hands or the step, ball, change of tap dancing? It probably didn’t seem like work, or just another task on your to-do list.  One of the biggest obstacles in beginning a fitness regime or breaking a plateau is the way you think about exercise. If exercise is a four-letter word to you, you’ll never get the results you want and need.Retrain your brain by doing something you love. Yoga class with friends is fun and not a chore. A daily walk in the park near your office beats a run on the treadmill at the gym. Join a softball league or going back to ice or roller skating. What brought you pleasure as a child will still hold true today. You will make the time and find the fun in that activity just as you did as a kid. That is one of the biggest plateau busters and motivators around.

3. Timing is Everything

The earlier in the day I get started on my work, the better. I think more clearly and have less distraction. It is the same for exercise. My performance and energy level goes down as the day progressions. My brain gets caught up with the things on my to-do list.

My partner is totally the opposite. He likes to relieve the stress of the day by getting in a good workout. The point is to find the time of the day fitness-wise that works best for you. Tweak your schedule to accommodate that time.  You will notice that your body craves movement at that time. Resistance will be futile. 

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