Easier said than done. After 2
years on my fitness journey, I finally reached a breaking point. Yes,I had come
face to face with the dreaded wall and found myself firmly stuck on a plateau and
seriously questioning my motivation to carry on another day, week, year of
grueling workouts. After countless hours in the gym, forcing myself to eat
clean, and constantly feeling tired and sore, I was seriously wondering, "Why do I
put myself through this?". I wanted to just jump to the after picture already!
By this point, I was mentally exhausted, hangry and about to drop off that plateau!!I felt more and more like a hamster spinning my wheel full force to nowhere and I was ready for a break. I started to talk myself out of my workouts and summer fitness plans. I kept thinking,
"Do I really give a shit if I’m ‘bikini ready’? Why
should I give a damn about having a flat 6 pack??"
Oh I
was in deep and my mind was trying to talk me out of my all the hard work I was
planning to put myself through for the next few months. I wanted out, I had earned it. I kept thinking, “You can’t take it with you,
right so what does it matter?” Well, a few months ago, it mattered. It mattered
because of the amount of work I was putting in and the positive effect fitness had
on my life. Being fit mattered because it made me feel amazing, but lately I was feeling drained.
What I didn’t realize or appreciate was the progress I
had already made. All I could focus on was the idea that I wasn’t where
I wanted to be—physically. The truth was, I wasn’t where I wanted to me
mentally and if I could just relax and let go, then I would continue to make
progress with ease and without the
impossible standards I had placed on myself. I had to get back to having fun
with fitness. So I took a little break to chill out for a bit because living in
the past or the future is a sure fire way to destroy your joy in the present
moment.
Living right now is the only moment that
matters and right now, I needed to spend time with family, focus on work, sleep
in, laugh hard, and eat a freaking
hamburger with icecream!
After a
much needed break to rest and rejuvenate, I
realized that I do love what I do and I am passionate about fitness and
challenge. I know that I don’t really care about the end result and that it is
just a bonus for my efforts. I do care about staying active, pushing
myself, keeping my word, and having a goal to strive for—to live for. Before
fitness I would easily succumb to depression, negative thinking, and just
feeling shitty. Being fit makes me feel amazing, alive, and empowered! Right now, I plan on eating well, working hard,
and enjoying the journey, yes even the doubt and fear and second guessing that
will come with it.
So, this
week I’m back at it and I’m keeping my gym time down to an hour to make sure
I’m working and constantly challenging
my body in a short period of time. This way, I can still get a solid 1 hour
workout and I’ll leave the gym feeling refreshed rather than exhausted and have
time to spend with my loved ones Andrew(my boyfriend), Jewlez (the cat), and
Marley (my dog).
During
yesterday’s workout, I definitely felt the challenge. My body actually feels
just as strong as it did 1 week ago, but I did notice I was fatiguing faster
than usual. The good news is, after my workout I felt lighter and refreshed and
focused rather than drained and scattered. It’s a subtle shift between the two,
but it is definitely noticeable.
My goal now is to push hard enough to light the fire,
but not burn it out.
Check out Monday's come back workout.
The Bounce Back
Workout
Warm Up
Keep it
short, we just want to get warm
½ mile run
Quick HIIT
25 Jump
Squats
1
minute Rest
X 4
Your
legs will be burning! Even if you’re going slowly, keep going.
LEGS
SQUATS
with barbell
LEG
CURLS
HAMSTRING
CURL
LUNGES
SQUATS
on smith machine
I a bootcamp class doing lunges with a push press...I’ll have to try
that next time. :)
Do Tell….
Where
are you in your fitness journey? How do you cope with the dreaded plateau?
Let me
know in the comments below…