Hitch Fit Living Magazine Volume 3 - November/December 2015 | Page 26

You're in your groove, feeling good, training regularly, but then it happens. You suddenly find
yourself in a rut. The workouts that you used to enjoy feel monotonous, you're bored, easily
distracted at the gym. Maybe you have hit a physical plateau, you can't seem to shed more body
fat or gain more strength, or perhaps you are struggling with low energy levels. These are all
signs of Workout Burnout. And it can happen regardless of if you are a beginner or an advanced
exerciser.
How do you overcome your fitness funk? Here are some tips to help you get back in your fitness
rhythm.
1. Take some time off. If your energy levels are tanked at the gym, or you find you aren't
recovering after a workout as quickly as you used to, it may be time to take a rest. Your
body needs sleep and recovery time just as much as it needs to be put to the challenge. A
few solid days of rest may be just what the doctor ordered. If you can't stand taking time off
completely from physical activity, go for a brisk walk or do some gentle yoga stretching to
keep your body moving, but not over exerting.
2. Try something new. Tired of the same old routine? Your muscle probably are too. Give
them a new challenge by changing up your workouts with fresh exercises or activities.
Usually exercise indoors? Take things outside. Winter sports such as cross country skiing,
snowshoeing or even a couple hours of sledding will burn loads of calories and be a ton of
fun. Try a new class, or hire a personal trainer to challenge you with something new.
3. Shorten your workouts. If you've been struggling with getting your workouts in due to a
busier schedule. Shorten things up. When you know you only have to do 15 minutes of
exercise, it will be much easier to get started. Try 15 minutes of plyometric moves of
choice, or try Tabata style strength training. Get in and get out. Keep things short, simple
and fun.
4. Get some new tunes. Nothing fires you up to workout like some new music. One of the
simplest ways to reignite your fitness fire is to load up your music device with the latest
songs that get your heart pumping and your feet moving!