We have
discussed why it is important to be fit and the three key elements of getting
fit or maintaining your fitness. Let’s talk about something that sooner or
later most of us will face as we strive to reach our full potential ….plateau.
From a fitness
perspective, it appears that you are just not making any progress no matter how
hard you try. A fitness plateau can happen to beginners or even to those who
are regulars and consistent in exercising. If you have not experienced a
plateau yet, don’t worry you will. Sorry to rain on your parade but it is
common and natural for all of us to experience some sort of plateau. It is a
way for our body to tell us it is time for a change.
What causes a
plateau? There are many reasons you may experience a plateau. I definitely
can’t cover all of them but let’s touch on some common reasons. Why would
someone experience a plateau when just starting off or not long into trying to
get fit? I would argue that, based on my first two series of my blog, the person
was not ready. Reaching your full potential starts with the mind and giving your body the proper fuel before you can physically challenge your body. Perhaps
it is not a plateau at all? Remember my last post talked about being realistic
and consistent. One approach does not fit all and some people’s bodies take
longer to react to change than others. Another
reason for a beginner’s plateau is the simple fact that in the very beginning
there is more of an opportunity for the body to make change than later. In other
words, for someone who has never properly ate and/or exercised, the results of progress would be sooner once they started then perhaps several weeks later
as they get in a routine.
Even though a
physical plateau may happen in the beginning, it is more common to happen to
someone that has been exercising…I mean “getting fit” for a longer period of
time. A common reason for this is because an individual has been doing the same
routine for too long of a period of time. What that period of time is depends
on the individual. Routines are obviously necessary, however after a certain
timeframe the body no longer gets challenged and adapts to the program
providing minimal results. This is very common for those who have made fitness
part of their lifestyle. Sometimes
taking a break is what your body may need.
Perhaps you may not be giving your body the proper rest to recoup and
recover from the consistent shock it has been receiving? A few days off can do
wonders for the body for a consistent fitness person.
Now that we discussed what fitness plateau
is and some common reasons behind it, next post we will discuss some ideas of
addressing it.
