Many people may think a consistent workout plan is a surefire way to lose weight. While you may lose inches and pounds at first, most everyone will experience a weight-loss plateau. When to change your plan depends on personal preference. The body adapts to workout changes within a couple of weeks. You can choose to change your plan daily, weekly or whenever you notice a change in your weight-loss results.
Interval Training
Interval training involves constantly changing the intensity of your workout or adding new exercises to your routine. Not only does interval training fight off boredom, it also helps lower the risk of suffering an overuse injury from performing the same routine day after day. Spend five minutes each day performing jumping jacks, situps and lunges or try new sports and other activities such as rock climbing or cardio kickboxing. Change your routine daily or weekly.
Modify Your Routine
If you would rather stick with one routine, such as running or aerobics, then consider changing various variables of your workout. For example, start with a 30-minute run. As your fitness levels improve, increase the timing of your run. Other changes include swimming or biking longer distances, taking a longer break in between repetitions or increasing the number of repetitions for each set. In general, if you able to perform an exercise with little to no strain or difficulty, then it is time to change your plan.
Add Strength Training
While changing your diet and getting more exercise is key for weight loss, it may also affect your metabolism. As you lose weight, your body starts to run out of fat, one of the key ingredients to keep your metabolism going. To prevent this from happening, add strength training to your workout routine. Muscle helps boost the power of your metabolism. Start with light weights or resistance bands. As your fitness level improves, move up to weight machines and body-weight exercises such as pushups.
Change Your Plan
How often should you change your workout plan to avoid weight-loss plateaus is largely dependent on the preference of the individual. If you notice the weight isn't coming off as it used to, don't be discouraged. You may be losing weight, just at a slower pace. Change your routine when you become bored. If you still are experiencing a weight-loss plateau, speak with your doctor. You may need to adjust your diet. Also, the weight you are at now may better suit your height and body type better than your desired weight.
Member Comments