One of the most rewarding feelings is when you find yourself genuinely craving a workout. You just discovered pilates and it has now become your holy grail. Your ride or die. You’ve experienced the euphoric Runner’s High and can’t get enough of pounding the pavement.
But not long after you're on this high of going to this new workout class or fitness plan, the new becomes the old, and you find yourself at a plateau. You’re just not seeing the same results you saw at the beginning, and you’re wondering what happened.
While it’s important to find what workouts your body responds best to (it’s different for every body), it’s also vital to keep diversity in your routine. Mixing up your workouts can be a total game-changer in your wellness journey. It has for me, and here’s why.
Breaking the Monotony
Let’s be real: working out every day isn’t always a blissful experience. Sometimes, it’s a battle of discipline over motivation. Going to the gym or to a yoga class isn’t always going to feel like rainbows and butterflies. However, challenging yourself to try out a new workout can bring more life into your weekly split.
Stop and evaluate both your body and your thoughts during a workout. Are you finding yourself feeling completely drained? Are you constantly speaking negative thoughts over yourself during your workout? If so, it might be time to switch it up for a day.
Try the dance class, cycle through scenic trails, or dive into a refreshing swim. Variety keeps your fitness journey vibrant and enjoyable. Rediscover the joy in movement, and remind yourself of the blessing it is to be able to move your body and sweat.
Preventing Plateaus
Fitness plateaus can be discouraging, to say the least. When you stick to the same exercises, your body adapts, and progress slows. Changing up your routine keeps your muscles guessing and prevents stagnation.
Combining high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with steady-state cardio is another great strategy. HIIT pushes your heart rate to the max, improving cardiovascular efficiency, while steady-state cardio builds endurance. This combo enhances your overall stamina, making daily activities feel easier.
Your brain loves novelty just as much as your body does. Learning new movements and techniques stimulates your brain, improving coordination and cognitive function. Activities that require focus, such as boxing or dance, engage your mind and body simultaneously, providing a more holistic workout experience (and making you smarter!!)
Understanding how your body reacts to different workouts enhances your self-awareness, allowing you to tailor your routine to your specific needs. By listening to your body, you create a more mindful and effective training regimen.
I used to think the HIIT was the ultimate way to get a killer workout achieve the best results. I was grinding out a HIIT workout almost daily, pushing myself to the limit. But instead of seeing the gains I expected, I was the most inflamed and exhausted I had ever been.
Turns out, my body was in constant stress. In that overstressed environment, my body released chronically high levels of cortisol, a hormone that can cause muscle loss, fat retention, and weakened immunity. In other words, my body was stressed TFrick out. It was in survival mode, holding onto weight and draining my energy.
While it can be energizing to attend a workout class where the instructor is yelling at you to run faster and lift heavier, that relentless pressure isn’t always the key to achieving your goals.
Embracing Active Recovery
Incorporating low-impact activities like Pilates, swimming, yoga, or cycling into your routine facilitates active recovery. These exercises improve circulation, aid in muscle recovery, and alleviate soreness without placing excessive strain on your body. Active recovery helps you stay consistent with your workouts allowing your body to heal and regenerate.
Exploring new workouts also opens doors to different fitness communities and experiences. Whether it’s joining a local hiking group, taking a dance class, or trying rock climbing, you enrich your fitness journey with new social connections and adventures.
Diversifying your workout routine is more than just a strategy for physical fitness–it’s a pathway to a richer, more fulfilling wellness journey.
Variety enhances your physical capabilities, nurtures your mental well-being, prevents injuries, and keeps your workouts enjoyable.
Remember, wellness is about feeling your best and living life to the fullest. So, step out of your comfort zone, explore new activities, and let the power of variety elevate your routine. You’ve got this!