We Are Our Own Biggest Competitor

Once your body has become adjusted to a new exercise, do you push yourself to work harder or do you continue to work at the same level? Have you used the exact same weight in pump for months? Are you pushing yourself to pedal faster or use more resistance in RPM? Have you run on the treadmill at 5.5 consistently for a while? Our bodies quickly become accustomed to what we challenge it to do, so the challenge needs to change to continue to see results. Now, if you are in the first 6-8 weeks of a new exercise program, you should let your body adjust, but when it isn't really hard anymore (only hard... it should never feel easy), then look at turning it up.

Once you do add more intensity, be sure you aren't changing other variables at the same time (duration of exercise, frequency of exercise). Let your body learn to work at the new level before placing other demands such as more or longer workouts. Only change one variable at a time (intensity, frequency, or duration). And remember, our minds will give up long before our body will. Don't limit yourself by thinking "I can't do this", "It's just too hard". Do listen to your body and back it off when you have to. So, next time you're on the treadmill, try increasing the speed 0.5 for 20-30 seconds here and there during your workout. Add a small plate on the tracks that are less hard for you than the others. Turn the knob a little farther or pedal just a little faster on the bike. You'll be amazing what you are capable off if you just take yourself there 30 seconds at a time.

This week, I'm teaching RPM Monday at noon, Tuesday (with Karen) at 4:30pm, Friday (with Kandy) at noon, and Saturday (with Kelly) at 9:45am. Still on RPM 41 (don't you LOVE the interval track?)

I'm teaching Bodypump Wednesday at 4:30pm (abs following) and Thursday at noon.

It's almost time for Bootcamp again!!! Monday, Jan 26th at 5:45pm. Be sure to send requests for specific exercises you want (comment here, you can do it anonymously). Hope to see you there!!!