iGnite members running the hills near Rollingwood Park

by Kathleen Parker

Busting your fitness plateau can mean many things, depending on what your goals are.  Do you want to be a faster runner, cyclist, or swimmer?  Do you want to change your body a bit? Or just feel stronger?

Here is a scary fact: Running the same distance at the same pace month after month can keep you from losing weight or changing your body — AND EVEN CAUSE YOU TO GAIN WEIGHT — if you keep eating the same amount! This is because your body adapts to the workout, making it LESS EFFECTIVE.  In other words, YOU BURN FEWER CALORIES DOING IT.

Here is how to get some results:

• RUN FASTER:  Do Interval training — meaning alternate 2 minutes of HARD EFFORT, FAST RUNNING with 2 minutes of easy running for 2 to 3 miles. DO HILL RUNS!
• GET STRONGER: Add 30 to 45 minutes of FULL BODY STRENGTH TRAINING 3 times a week to build LEAN MUSCLE TISSUE, TRIM INCHES AND BOOST METABOLISM!
• ALWAYS CHALLENGE YOUR BODY: Try a new sport once a week! Do a stair climbing workout (Mount Bonnell!), interval swimming alternating fast and easy laps, tennis, cycling, or rock climbing!

So try out at least one of these techniques, bust through that plateau, and KEEP MOVING!!

OTHER ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

• 3 Unexpected Benefits of Strength Training
• Why EVERYone Should Include Hill Running in their Workouts
• 11 Exercises to Keep You Injury-Free