Thread: Any Secrets for When you Hit a Plateau?

What are your current workouts like? I know when I get stuck in a rut, if I do something totally different and really vigorous, that seems to work. But that's just me, and I like to suffer through really hard workouts. It's not for everyone.

Well I'm trying to start doing Zumba twice on the weekends again. I feel like I really give my all when I'm in those classes and since I can modify to push myself more by taking bigger steps, jumping more, etc. I feel like I get a fantastic workout there. I am also working on trying to incorporate some p90x back into my schedule starting tonight to see if that helps. I am guessing some of the plateau is due to trying to incorporate more toning and weights at the gym, but I also don't want to go more than a month without it moving at least a couple pounds.

I am fine with suffering I'll do whatever.

Part of my concern I think (and why some people have told me to rest) is that obviously since school started, I am getting about 2 hours of less sleep a night with also trying to workout. (I've been doing 2-3 mornings a week in addition to weekends and 1-2 nights a week).

I wanted to add that I usually eat about 1300 cals on days with lighter workouts (like walking/light jogging for 45 minutes) about 1600-1650 calories on days with a LOT of working out (45mins to an hour of intense workout) and then about 2200 cals one day a week. Usually ends up being on a weekend day when I have something planned (dinner with friends, night out with the girls, wedding, etc). When I have one of those days I also do a Zumba class for an hour and also try to walk another 30 minutes to stretch out and cool down a bit more after.

On no workout days I keep cals between 1150 and 1300 right now.

Lack of sleep will do it for sure. I would try three weeks of trying to get as much sleep as possible. Even if that means two or three 20 minute naps and an extra hour or two at night. Also, do the P90X twice a week and see where you are. Sleep is most important.

Keep reminding yourself that through every plateau, you have come out on the other side and have lost more weight and improved your life more. The plateaus are sort of your bodies way or reminding you not to get complacent. Be patient with yourself, you're doing awesome.

SLEEP is crucial. Get your sleep even if that means having to miss your favorite show, or study earlier, etc. Make sure you get 8 hours a night.

The p90x is a great workout program. While I think Zumba is a good supplemental workout....I really don't think most Zumba classes are high intensity enough. p90x however, definitely is though not near as fun as Zumba.

And, how are your bowel movements? Not necessarily asking you to tell me, unless you just want to, lol....just provoking some thought so you're aware. Ideally you'd be going at LEAST once a day if not more.

Thanks SP and BD. I will definitely start adding a couple P90X workouts back in to the schedule and make every effort to get more sleep. I managed to get 7.5 hours last night but then I also missed my a.m. workout this morning. I guess I was tired through. I sometimes feel like I just *need* the sleep. It's hard to fit everything in sometimes! I barely watch tv or do anything with friends besides workout as it is most days

I rarely have time for naps except the weekend just because I have to go from work straight to school and two nights a week I dont' even get home till 10 pm. Another night I get home around 7:45. BUT I'll definitely try to make sure I am resting more!

I will get there eventually, I just want my body to realize that I'm trying to do good things for it and have it cooperate

(Oh and BD you should definitely come to our Zumba class lol It might not be 60 minutes of running but it's definitely about as intense as P90X to me when certain teachers teach and I feel like there is something about being where other people can see you that sometimes makes you really give that 110% )

I feel like there is something about being where other people can see you that sometimes makes you really give that 110

I totally agree with that. I push myself harder in aerobics classes than I do when I'm by myself.

Oh and BD you should definitely come to our Zumba class lol It might not be 60 minutes of running but it's definitely about as intense as P90X to me when certain teachers teach

I've experienced the same thing with Zumba. If only ALL the teachers could be hard core! I'd get one teacher for a while that was GREAT, then I'd get one that I might sweat with, but didn't get the intensity needed. It's truly all about who's teaching it.

I agree about the zumba. If all you did was P90X, you'd reach your goal. But you have to be motivated to do the entire program and if zumba is fun and it keeps you exercising, then that's good. Honestly, I've never been able to work up a sweat in any group aerobics class besides interval spinning classes, they just aren't active enough. It could be that your fitness is beyond zumba now and you need to take it to the next level.

How do you get to work and school? Is it possible to bike or jog there? I've found that (where I live) it doesn't take me any longer to bike somewhere than it does to drive. Maybe 5 minutes more. So if I'm going to the gym, I bike there and it gives me 30 minutes of extra exercise that I wouldn't have got if I had drove. Same with the grocery store, etc. I pretty much only drive if I'm leaving town or going up in the mountains.