As we’ve said before, weight loss and fitness are a journey, not a sprint. There may be days or even weeks when you wonder why the weight isn’t melting away, or why you’re not seeing the same kinds of gains you’re expecting.
It’s natural to expect measurable progress when you know you’ve been watching your diet and getting those reps in. But hitting a temporary plateau from time to time is inevitable. The trick is to continue to work through it by keeping your focus on the big picture and staying committed to your plan. Don’t freak out, just keep going!
When your fitness efforts seem to be hitting a wall, it’s a good time to take stock of your routine and see if there’s extra room to make some small tweaks. Look at your nutrition goals. Are you staying the course or have you gotten lenient? Little things like sauces, creamers, and condiments all add up. Make sure you’re tracking everything.
Are you staying hydrated? Make sure you’re keeping your water bottle handy. A gallon to a gallon and a half of water a day helps keep your appetite at bay, but more importantly, staying hydrated helps your body handle all the demands your hard work places on it.
Finally, make sure that you have some variety in your workout routine. Sometimes your muscles respond when you approach things differently after a while. For example, if you’ve stopped seeing gains from doing leg raises on a weight machine, try stimulating those upper thigh muscles by giving squats a try.
In the end, it’s all about approaching your fitness journey as just that: a journey. Everyone is different, and part of the journey is discovering what works for you. No matter what you decide to do, consistency is key. If you show up every single day, results will come.