Imagine this. You are doing your preferred form of workout and sweating lots. You are happy and getting your desired
results. Now for a while gains are obvious, and you might be feeling happy, strong, and motivated. But, there comes a time
when your body no longer gives you desirable results with the same type of exercise. You no longer feel energized, happy or
motivated and it might have been a while since you didn’t see the results you wanted. In such a scenario, it would be right to
say that you might have hit the fitness plateau. It is actually a good sign that your body has adapted to the routine you were
following but it also means that you need to make a few changes in order to start getting the desirable results again.
WHY DO THESE PLATEAUS HAPPEN?
It happens because your body is adapted to the heavy exercises you throw at it. Let’s consider you are doing HIIT
workouts at home for a while now or trying some cardio exercises for 30 minutes but it no longer yields any results.
This is a sign that you have hit a fitness plateau and you need to give your body a little extra hard training than earlier. You
are in better shape than the time you started with that particular workout regime.
HOW DO WE BREAK THIS PLATEAU?
1). INCREASING THE TIME
Consider you take a walk for 20 minutes for stress-busting or sweat-bursting satisfaction. Now you are not losing weight
from walking and neither you are sweating enough as you did earlier. You have to increase the time of walking in order to
achieve the desired results. In some cases, you can also increase the time by 5 minutes and notice changes. You just
need a change in routine.
2). GO A LITTLE HARDER
If you were running on a treadmill and achieving your results, try incline or resistance training. Burn a few more calories
than you used to before. Try weightlifting with a heavier weight or go for lighter weight and do more repetitions.
3). TAKE A BREAK
You could also try taking a break from your usual routine. A break helps you re-energize and rejuvenate. Try switching to a
different activity like dancing, yoga, cycling, or anything else that you like. This gives a break to your mind and allows your
muscles to learn new techniques. Also, it gives a break from a certain activity which after a time, gets boring.
4). REST
Rest is very essential. Your body needs rest mentally and physically. If you do not rest you are more likely to hit a
fitness plateau and you won’t get the desired results. Your muscles demand rest and they deserve it after the hard work
they do. So, 2-3 days of rest is essential to recover and get fresh.
5). CHANGING THE SCENES
Sometimes the body stops responding in response to your brain not wanting to work out. If you used to work out inside
the gyms then try working out outdoors. Cycle, go for a walk with your friends, and change the scenery around you.
Working in a new or challenging environment gives your body a boost and a mile of extra motivation that is needed.
Whatever you do, it is important to overcome the plateau barrier and get yourself on track. Stay motivated, energized,
and lose more weight to keep diseases away.
