ALWAYS push through a plateau!

Published: Wed, 09/16/15

Hi

'Everything works...for about six weeks'

Dan John

The body always finds it's way to homeostasis..otherwise known as balance. or equilibrium.

If you started a new way of eating, exercise regime, or even just a new habit a couple of months ago....now is about the time you may see a plateau in fat loss, muscle gain or a wobble in your resolve to just keep going.

This is totally natural, think of a pendulum swinging both ways..everything our body does in response to what we throw at it always heads eventually for that centre point.

This point is usually the point where plateaus occur...some would say the comfort zone.

 
We all know someone who follows a totally sedentary life and also someone who works out with the intensity of a person possessed..each of these are at the opposite ends of the pendulum.

To illicit a change we need to be somewhere between the centre point and 75% towards the high end to ensure just enough effort to keep our body changing, but not too much cause injury or over-training.

Our bodies are far cleverer than we are, so it is a constant battle against this natural propensity to the path of least resistance.

We are genetically hard wired to conserve energy so this is why it always seems like an uphill battle.

You are not alone!

Some ideas to illicit change:
  • get help with a new program or just adjust the resistance, volume, rest time or type. Note: just change one thing a week as too much could slow you down
  • add in more walking, try a circuits class (if not already) or do something different which gets you moving more per week
  • if following a nutritional program now is the time to get in touch with your Nutritionist for a catch up. They will always have plenty of ideas to add in
  • think across the main human movements (email in archive). Have you been gravitating to the moves you prefer you naughty exerciser you? I end up on deadlifts and squats as absolutely dislike lunges...however, adding a few extra sets of these back in often results in a gain in strength, stamina and muscle mass!
  • have a planned break: rest as hard as you train

Above all, remember that these plateaus occur often before another change, hang in there and push on through! 

J


James Chandler
Personal Trainer
07870 262741
www.eatwellandworkout.com


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