Don't Let Your Fitness Routine Become Stagnant

By Donna Stark

You set a goal of running, hiking, and hitting the gym more at the beginning of this year, and so far, you have kept the promise you made to yourself. You've been waking up earlier and heading out into those dark mornings for a jog and you've made more friends at the gym than you can count. You would think that you were killing it. You would also think that being only three months into the new year, the excitement would still be there. So why does your fitness routine now feel like a chore? And why in the world are you not getting faster results?

Giving Your Fitness a Boost

Any type of exercise is good for your body, but you have to remember that showing up is only half of the battle. The other half consists of discipline, hard work, and a desire to improve. So when you start dreading your workouts or stop seeing any gains, it may be time to reevaluate what you are doing. Here are some tips on how to boost your motivation and maximize your workouts so you can achieve the goals you set out for.

• Spend some money on yourself - If you dress the part, you will become the part, so grab your wallet and go shopping! Functional workout gear is so much better than those thick, clumsy sweatpants you wear to bed and that heat-intensifying shirt. So look good, feel good, and get the results you want!
• Proper form - Strength training is an important component to your overall fitness, but if you aren't using the proper form while doing so, you may be wasting your time. Get as many of the benefits as you can by making sure your body is always in the right position. And if you aren't sure, ask!
• Push yourself - Barring any medical conditions or injury, if your jog has consistently stayed at a fast walk and you haven't even tried to push yourself any harder, today may be the day to do so! Pushing yourself to the max is a great way to consistently improve and reach your goals faster. So increase the speed, lift the heavier weight, and surprise yourself over what you really can handle.
• Switch it up - Don't let your routine become routine. If you have been doing the same thing for weeks, try adding in new exercises or joining a different class. Monotony can be such an energy-drain, can't it? But you can keep your body on its toes and your motivation up with a simple change to your workouts.

Get Over That Hump!

You are only heading into month four with the fitness goal you made back in January and it is way too soon to have it fall apart. Find what works best to increase your motivation and effort and start implementing it into your daily routine today. Good Luck!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lubbock, Tex.