Little Gems

• Plateaus are an inevitable part of any fitness journey - you are not alone
• Are your goals still practical given your current life circumstances?
• Implementing these strategies can help you swiftly overcome plateaus
• Consistency is a super power!

Let's Kick Things Off

Are you feeling stuck in your fitness journey? Hitting a plateau that seems impossible to break through? You’re not alone! Plateaus are a common challenge for anyone striving to improve their fitness level, whether you’re a seasoned athlete, or just starting out! The good news is that plateaus are not permanent barriers; they are simply small hurdles that can be passed easily with the right strategies.

Let's explore practical tips and techniques to help you break through plateaus and reignite your progress toward your fitness goals.

1. Reassess Your Goals: Take a step back and evaluate your fitness goals. Are they still practical given your current life circumstances? Maybe you set the goals when life was different - perhaps since setting them you have welcomed a baby into the family, or started a new job that requires more from you. Assessing your goals based on your life circumstances helps you create more realistic expectations.
2. Be Specific: Sometimes plateaus can occur because your goals are too vague. How can you achieve something if you aren’t exactly sure what you’re trying to achieve? Consider being very specific with your goals. Even if it isn’t exactly where you want to end, at least it is helping you get a lot closer to something specific that is measurable. Once you have a clear vision of where you are going from a macro perspective, break it down into smaller micro milestones to keep yourself on track and motivated along the way.
3. Mix Up Your Routine: The human body is wonderful at adapting, particularly to repetitive workouts that lack effort, leading to diminished results. Shake things up by introducing variety into your exercise routine. Try working out with a buddy, or an individual who is closer to where you want to be and can push you. Switch up the intensity of your workouts, incorporate different training modalities like strength, cardio or hypertrophy, or simply try new experiences that align with your goal - like rock climbing, kayaking, a different gym or walking by the beach for cardio instead of using a treadmill indoors.
4. Focus On Nutrition: Nutrition plays a crucial role in breaking through fitness plateaus because what you eat will have a direct impact on how you look, feel, function, perform and recover. Evaluate your diet to ensure you are fuelling your body with enough of the right nutrients to support you and your goals.
5. Prioritise Recovery: Poor recovery can hinder your output and lead to plateaus. Make sure you are including enough rest and recovery to allow your body to repair and rebuild. Incorporate rest days into your training regime, practice relaxation techniques and don’t undervalue the absolute importance of quality sleep to support optimal recovery.
6. Track Your Progress: Keeping track of workouts, nutrition, lifestyle and progress will help you identify patterns and areas for improvement. Use tools like fitness apps, journaling/notes, or wearable devices that monitor your performance to help you stay accountable. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and use setbacks as learning opportunities to tweak your approach.
7. Seek Support and Accountability: Surround yourself with a positive environment and community of like-minded individuals who can support and encourage you on your fitness journey while simultaneously keeping you accountable. Consider joining a class, changing gyms, or hiring a trainer/coach who can help you progress faster, stay disciplined and accountable while making workouts fun and efficient.

Unlocking Your Potential

Remember, plateaus are an inevitable part of the fitness journey and can be viewed as opportunities for growth and improvement. By implementing these strategies and staying committed to your goals, you can swiftly overcome plateaus and continue making progress toward a healthier, stronger and happier you.

Consistency is a super power!