Why you should switch up your workout routine.
Have you hit a fitness plateau? No longer seeing results and maybe bored?
Well, I can help with that. Your body, like your mind need consent stimulation and let’s say you have been jogging on the treadmill for 6 months and after 3 months you are no longer losing weight (or inches), feeling blah, bored and not gaining endurance, strength or gains? Well, you are stuck in a stagnant stage and need to switch it up.
There are no shortages of different activities or workouts to try. You must do what is best for you whether it is swimming, biking, running, walking, cross -fit, dance, bootcamps, yoga, pilates, the options are endless. If you are not a professional athlete, or training for the Olympics or a sports specific college athlete then you are either a recreational athlete and want to be healthy and strong both mind and body. So let me give you a little advice, you should try different forms of exercise to prevent overusing the same muscles which lead to injuries.
Every 2 months or so you need to shock your body, keep it guessing and try variations
of workouts. What works for me is HIIT (high intensity interval training) at least two times a week (on the tread or bootcamp setting), yoga/pilates/barre once a week, and strength training (yes heavy and moderate weights) twice a week. But I also add stretching and/or yoga for at least 10-15 minutes every day. Bootcamp counts as a HIIT workout as long as you are getting your heartrate elevated and I think marathon training is amazing and intense although I am not a “runner”, I have incredible respect for those who have the capacity to train for one. Remember, do what works for you. Today there is no shortage of free workouts on YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram or subscribe to an app that motivates you and it right for your goals and mindset. I love my Peloton app and Melissa Wood Health app. Movement in all forms is beneficial, just don’t do the same workout, exercises or routines over and over and over!
There are some incredible intense low impact classes and workouts that don’t put stress on your joints and ligaments, but I credit keeping my body strong by changing up my routine often. I am not suggesting you work out intensely 7 days a week. I try to get at least 4 to 5 sweat worthy, heart rate elevated, muscle burn workouts a week. Even if some of those workouts are 30-45 minutes long, I add yoga, a 15-minute walk, short meditation or stretching even for 10 minutes in addition to those workouts at the end of my workday or before bed. Yes, you can enjoy Netflix while you are sitting on the floor stretching or going from a plank to down dog during the commercials or at the beginning of an episode!!:)
Muscle imbalances often lead to injuries and overuse issues. If you are constantly using the same muscles over and over in the same manor you will eventually get injured and hit a fitness plateau. By mixing up your activities, you give those overused muscles, joints, and ligaments a chance to rest and recover before putting them into action again. If you do get injured, performing a different activity that doesn’t strain the same part of the body will allow you to stay in shape and heal at the same time.
Stelllargirls soar! Our attitude towards genuine wellness is a happy, healthy, and confident self. Strength is stellar-shaped. Celebrate, admire and treasure yours!
