If you exercise for long enough, chances are you’ll encounter a fitness plateau, where you’re just not seeing the weight loss or fitness results you want. You might even feel like you’re working harder than ever, but you’re left feeling worn out, rather than fitter or stronger.
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This can be extremely frustrating and discouraging, but fret not, here are 5 easy ways to power through that fitness plateau;
Take a break
We know this sounds crazy, but often a fitness plateau happens because your mind and body are just tired. Take a week off your regular routine and instead, grab your friends for a hike, or try a new sport.
Eat more, not less
As your fitness level increases, so does your metabolism. While this is good news, you may need to evaluate how much food you’re eating, especially if you often feel hungry. It’s important to fuel your body and eat more of the right foods for sustained energy so that you have the power you need to reach new levels.
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Mix things up
If you don’t change your fitness routine every few weeks, your body will know what’s coming next and you’ll just shift into cruise control. Switch up your cardio activities and lift slightly heavier weights (or mix up your reps) to keep your body guessing.
Change your intensity
Push yourself harder on certain days of the week, and ease off on others. For example, do interval training on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and slow, steady-state cardio on the other days. Don’t forget to take days off too!
Sleep more
When you’re trying to break through fitness plateaus, it’s so important to get at least eight hours of sleep a night. This will allow your muscles and nervous system to recover from exercise. Sleep will also help you to feel stronger and more energised for your next workout, while preventing injuries and keeping your hormones balanced too.
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