Working out can change our lives in many ways, I can tell you this from first-hand experience, but there is a lot to be done during the process. Many of you might be wondering what I mean because it seems so straight forward, results come from healthy eating and exercising a few times a week. You will see results from doing both things, but at what cost?

You become a slave to the system fearful that the slightest change could hinder, or reverse progress. Thus our routine becomes law and nothing gets in the way of it.

As the old saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” right? Yet, in reality, the system is broke, leaving no room for exploration, you might be wondering, “E what other choice is there?” The truth is that there are tons of choices from new exercises to expanding your palate. Monday’s don’t have to be chicken and veggies day, Tuesday’s workout isn’t always a six.

SWITCH IT UP!

Throw the set routine out the window for two to three days out of the week. No set meals or exercises, tune in to your body and go with the flow. This process will shock the body and aid in eliminating plateaus you did not know existed.

Plateaus based on weeks, months and even years of conditioning. Through conditioning, the body knows when to spike energy and when not to. That said when gym time approaches energy rises, even on scheduled rest days. When it comes to food, the same pattern occurs linking certain foods to days, for example, craving red meat on Mondays.

That said, we can throw this conditioning out the window, which is a notion that I am very fond of because it shows how far I have come. Sometimes we mistake strength for our bodies ability to adjusts to a given exercise. Therefore, when a switch occurs we see a five to ten per cent change in our strength. Research attributes this discrepancy to nutrition, sleep and even overtraining.

However, from personal experience, I link this to our mental state during sessions. When we are present all of our focus is on the movements as well as our form. This occurs when we consciously dive into the activities rather than follow the routined conditioning.

Final Thoughts

As you begin to incorporate these shifts throughout the week, create a progress journal that logs weight increase or decrease in addition to mood. I guarantee on the days there is no routine you will feel better, eat better as well as lift more weight.

That said, do not be a slave to the system, there is a lot out there to enhance the experience. All you have to do is be open to pushing through whatever is stopping you.

E