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    How-to: break free of your fitness comfort zone

    Updated:11 Nov 2013 1:38 AM | Posted by
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    bh'sLeanne
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    It's time to amp up your exercise plan

    There’s nothing more frustrating and de-motivating than hitting an exercise plateau. An exercise plateau, also known as the fitness ‘comfort zone’ occurs when your body adjusts to regular exercise and stops responding to it. This means that your weight loss stops, your energy levels stay the same and your cardiovascular health stays the same. It’s the equivalent to your body going into autopilot mode. It’s also extremely common, if not inevitable – to hit the fitness comfort zone after you’ve been following a regular exercise routine for a few weeks. Thankfully though, there are a few ways to beat it. Here’s how…

    Get fit, differently
    It’s time to ditch the same old exercise program and mix up the ways you get fit. If you run the same track at the same speed everyday, your body will eventually adjust, so trick your body by varying your speed and your track. Incorporate hill climbs and inclines into your run or bike rides and switch between light jogging and sprinting in one-minute bursts. Incorporating small, one-minute high-energy bursts into your regular fitness routine is a proven way to get your body achieving results again.

    Try different activities
    Once a week, switch to an entirely different activity from your normal routine. If you usually jog, try swimming or dancing – if you usually dance, try bushwalking or pilates. Adding an entirely different activity to your fitness program will get your body working on new muscle groups, which will increase your metabolic rate, meaning you’ll start to burn fat again.

    Strength training
    If you’ve been focussing exclusively on aerobic exercise, you’ve been doing yourself a huge injustice. Including strength training as part of your regular fitness program is an easy and effective way to push your muscles in a different way and move out of your fitness comfort zone. After your regular exercise, simply add on a few sets of squats, lunges or push-ups and you’ll start to see results again.

    Have you fallen victim to your fitness comfort zone? Are you inspired to mix it up a little?

    71 Member Comments

    BeautifulJusty 20 Jun 2017 7:25 AM

    Good to break it up, even with the odd casual gym visit.

    Cherrykisses13 27 Jul 2013 6:29 AM

    I follow a routine and then sunday is fun fitness where i change it up

    Tigerstripes 26 Jul 2013 10:42 AM

    Good article.

    thebecbec 1 May 2013 5:42 AM

    Theres nothing more important that variety in exercise! It prevents a plateau and keeps things interesting!

    Lash lover 30 Apr 2013 12:18 PM

    great suggestions! thanks bh xxx

    Brooklet 15 Feb 2013 11:06 PM

    I still need motivation though! But I do enjoy dancing everyday, it doesn't seem like exercise just a bit of fun.

    Blink182 6 Feb 2013 10:52 AM

    Nice!

    Beautifulnightmarex 6 Feb 2013 10:31 AM

    I love lots of variation it keeps me entertained.

    AmberB 6 Feb 2013 2:54 AM

    I think I need to mix-it-up now

    JaimeK18 3 Jan 2013 11:43 AM

    I have been running for a little while (about 4 months) now and have stopped going to the gym as I like being outside more and the dogs need and love the run almost daily. My issue is that I need to increase the distance but its not very safe for me to go further (not the safest area for a girl on her own with 2 tiny dogs), so now I just do the same circuit twice kind of boring though.

    Amydeville 13 Nov 2012 5:13 AM

    Some great tips! I absolutely love strength training! It's fun and it gets the heart rate up which is what we want! I also do cicuit training and find the change is what inspires me to keep going!

    Dana515 10 Nov 2012 11:32 AM

    oh i never knew your body could just adjust

    Yasmine871 7 Oct 2012 4:03 AM

    Great article. Thank you so much Beautyheaven!

    Nicole408 9 Sep 2012 2:56 PM

    It's good to mix it up

    jasminecara 20 Aug 2012 2:30 PM

    great article

    apple8 20 Aug 2012 11:04 AM

    I always enjoy riding as you can enjoy the scenery as you go, the gym is not for me.

    Annatahs 2 Aug 2012 1:59 AM

    I go to various gym classes throughout the week so my workout is always varied.

    Kellymaree22 25 Jul 2012 6:15 AM

    LADIES! Strength training is not going to make you "bulk up" as a lot of women that come to my gym seem to think. Strength training actually assists with weight loss and also improves the strength of your bones and muscles. so get out there and pump some iron ladies!

    Divine Diva 23 Jul 2012 12:45 AM

    I love mixing up my routine when it comes to exercise, as it can become a little boring if you do the same thing day in day out. :)

    Lozifer 20 Jul 2012 4:09 AM

    So true - after years of being in a fitness rut (and staying basiccaly the same weight/size) I gave Cross fit a go - lots of variety, including weight/strength training and running, whereas before it had all been sports and walking. Suddenly, I had to keep reassuring people that I wasn't losing weight cos I was sick, but because I'd started my new fitness regime.

    jaimemakeup 10 Jul 2012 11:59 PM

    I am forever in a fitness comfort zone. When I was younger I use to go for bike rides and do a heap of sports. But now it's my senior year - not so much. However I do walk around a lot - everywhere and I'm always walking at a fast pace/power walking.

    Stefaniax3 28 Jun 2012 6:45 AM

    I love walking, when I was younger I'd walk anywhere I could, for hours. I'm so happy walking still works for me but I do enjoy playing outdoors with my siblings, younger cousins and other family members, it's so much fun and they can play for hours! Sometimes you lose track of time :D

    My.Nongy 15 Jun 2012 1:46 PM

    I'm picky when it comes to excercise and can't afford the gym membership now so it's not really happening lol.

    Thepinkshoe 8 Jun 2012 12:19 PM

    Strength training has really worked to kickstart things for me

    Dancenow13 4 Jun 2012 10:10 AM

    I've definitely become too comfortable with not exercising - I really need to change things up!

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