Mixing Up Workouts, Hitting a Plateau, and Challenging Your Body

Mixing up workouts is really good for you. It will help you escape a fitness plateau and take the challenge to another level. A combination of routines will spice things up, ignite your metabolism, and surprise your muscles. Perfect if you are also experiencing a weight-loss plateau.

Mixing workouts and challenging your body 

Your body would really appreciate some variety every now and then. If you keep repeating the same workout, you risk experiencing a fitness plateau and, of course, a weight-loss plateau. This is an annoying situation, one I’m sure you want to avoid. Here, you will find out the benefits of mixing your workouts and challenging your body in new and exciting ways.

The benefits of mixing up your workouts

• Boosts your metabolism. A training program that combines different elements will allow your metabolism to stay up, and your body will keep on burning fat as it did in the beginning. A variety of exercises that includes high-intensity exercises will make your heartbeat stronger and energize your metabolism.
• Helps you build your muscles. A combination of workouts may give faster results because you use several muscle groups simultaneously. Instead of having one day for “hands” or one day for “abs”, you work on your whole body in one workout.
• You train your body in less time. Forget the excuse, “I don’t have time to exercise.” We are all busy, but there is no reason to downgrade your health and your fitness. Combined training is an effective way to train dynamically in less time compared to other training methods.
• You don’t hit a plateau. You keep seeing results from all the hard work you’re doing at the gym. Challenging your body with new exercises keeps it exciting and it ensures that you get the same results as you did when you started.
• Exercise is challenging and exciting, and you don’t get bored doing the same routine over and over again. Adding routines from Plyometrics or Calisthenics can make your program so much more interesting and fun.

What is a weight-loss plateau?

Weight loss reaches a plateau when you are no longer able to lose weight, despite your constant efforts with exercise and healthy eating. This is often the case for those trying to lose weight.

Most people are surprised when this happens to them because they thought that if they stick to their diet, they will continue to lose weight. The frustrating reality is that even a well-planned weight loss plan can get stuck. 

You have worked hard to improve your diet and exercise habits, and you have been rewarded by seeing your weight decrease. However, at some point, you will stop losing weight, even if you have a healthy, low-calorie diet and exercise regularly. You’ve reached a plateau in terms of weight loss.

What to do when you reach a plateau in your weight loss

These tips can help you jump-start your weight loss. 

Re-evaluate your habits. Look at the data on your food and activity. Make sure you don’t loosen the rules, letting yourself consume larger portions, or have less exercise. 

 Careful with calories. Stick to your healthy diet and remember that less than 1,200 calories a day may not be enough to keep you from feeling hungry all the time, which increases the risk of over-eating. Besides, reduced calorie intake should be sustainable. If not, you will regain the weight you have lost and more.

More activity in your day. Think about exercise and movement outside the gym. Increase your physical activity throughout the day by walking more, taking the stairs, and using your car less.

Review your exercise program. Increase the amount of time you spend in the gym and try mixing different exercise routines. For example, adding to your program exercises from Calisthenics or Plyometrics can spice things up and help you escape the fitness and weight-loss plateau.

Don’t let your fitness plateau sabotage your efforts

If you have reached a plateau, it means that you have already improved your fitness level. If your efforts to get beyond the plateau don’t work out, talk to your doctor or dietician about other strategies you can try. You may also need to rethink your goal of losing weight. Maybe the goal you set is not realistic for you. Remember that even moderate weight loss improves your health and reduces risk of chronic diseases associated with being overweight. Whatever you do, don’t go back to your old diet and exercise habits. You risk losing all the benefits you have already gained.

How about mixing workouts in the Caribbean?

In the beautiful town of Cabarete in the Dominican Republic, you can find Fitness Retreats that offer a variety of programs and a flexible schedule that will enable you to try different routines in an exotic environment. They serve healthy, organically-grown food, and there is a nutritionist on site that can offer advice. Inside their sweet gym, you can make new friends that will support you and help you make your fitness goals a reality. On-site, you can try yoga, aerials, calisthenics, plyometrics, a flying trapeze, even circus routines. Not to mention all the amazing water sport options available in Cabarete, like kitesurfing!

You will escape your routine, and your body will definitely be surprised by the new moves!  

References

Health US News, 3 Reasons You’ve Hit a Weight-Loss Plateau – and How to Break Through, https://health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/2018-02-09/3-reasons-youve-hit-a-weight-loss-plateau-and-how-to-break-through

Nerd Fitness, 7 Reasons You Hit a Workout or Weight Loss Plateau, And 5 Quick Fixes, https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/what-to-do-when-you-hit-a-plateau/

Elite Daily, How To Mix Up Your Workout Routine & Keep Your Body Guessing, https://www.elitedaily.com/wellness/5-ways-to-mix-up-your-workout-routine/2062339

Healthline, 14 Simple Ways to Break Through a Weight Loss Plateau, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/weight-loss-plateau