Whether you’re exercising to lose weight or simply stay in shape, we all like to see progress in one form or another. For some that comes in the form of smaller numbers on the scale, while others may measure progress in distance, duration or a new personal best. Continued progress can be incredibly self-motivating, which is why it can be so discouraging to see that your progress has stalled despite your best efforts. Why might your progress have stalled, and how can you overcome these roadblocks and continue progressing towards your health and fitness goals? We answer those questions and more in today’s blog.
Why Fitness Progress Stalls
Your exercise or weight loss progress can stall for a number of different reasons, so it’s important that you really reflect on your recent habits to help pinpoint the likely cause of your issues so that you can make the necessary changes. Here are some possible roadblocks to progress.
- Overtraining – Some people think that exercising every single day is the best way to get stronger, but pushing your body too hard can be detrimental to your goals. You need to give your body some time to recover from the rigors of physical activity, otherwise progress can stall. This doesn’t mean that you need to do nothing the day after going for a run, but you’ll want to avoid challenging the same muscle groups on many consecutive days. You’ll likely see more progress alternating between upper body and lower body workouts than if you always perform the exact same workout every time you exercise.
- Too Easy – As the old adage goes, “you get out what you put in,” and that phrase could hold some merit if you’re noticing that your progress has stalled. Whether you’re looking to recover after ACL surgery or run a faster mile, you’re going to need to take on greater physical challenges over time to continue pushing for progress. It’s great that your exercises have become easier, but that also means it’s time to push yourself harder in order to keep achieving progress. If you haven’t adjusted your exercise program to take on greater challenges in a while, it may be time to push yourself harder in order to achieve the progress you seek.
- Ignoring Other Healthy Lifestyle Habits – You may have great exercise habits, but if you are unhealthy in other aspects of your life, it could be limiting your physical progress. Two areas that you’ll want to evaluate are your diet and your sleep habits. No amount of exercise will make up for a terrible diet, so reassess what you’re putting in your body. Similarly, sleep is an essential process that allows our body to flush out waste products and recover from the rigors of the day. If you’re not getting enough uninterrupted sleep, your body will struggle to recharge after exercise, which can lead to progress plateaus. Make sure your diet and sleep efforts are on par with your exercise habits.
- Inconsistent – In order to see consistent progress, you need to be putting in consistent work. You can’t work out three days a week and then take two weeks off and expect to pick right back up where you left off. In order to achieve the progress you seek, you’re going to have to pursue regular exercise. We understand that life can get hectic and throw your exercise schedule out of whack, but this inconsistency could be the reason behind your stalled progress.
- You’d Benefit From A Helping Hand – At HyperCharge Clinic, we specialize in helping athletes and individuals overcome the physical challenges they are facing. We have a number of treatment modalities that can enhance your health on a cellular level, which can make it easier for your body to reap the benefits of exercise and other healthy habits. Much like a personal trainer at the gym, we can develop an exercise and rejuvenation program suited to your specific needs and goals, and we can adjust as time goes by to ensure you’re always pushing yourself to achieve the progress you seek. You don’t need to work towards this progress on your own. Instead, lean on a progressional who can help you get the most out of your body and push you for continued progress in a safe and effective manner.
To learn more about how we can help you achieve your fitness goals, or for help with a different physician issue, reach out to the team at HyperCharge Clinic today.