Even if you are an avid fitness enthusiast who keeps a consistent training regimen, the likelihood of hitting a plateau with your progress and energy levels is a given. Your body’s energy systems work hard to adapt to your energy output. But the demands you put on your body, doing the same thing over and over again, will slowly make it seem as if your body is changing less and less frequently. It might show up as actual weight gain or lack of energy.

This stagnancy not only happens to your physical body, but to your mind and spirit, as well. Do you ever have the feeling that you’re standing still or stuck when it comes to certain situations in your life? That uncomfortable feeling starts growing inside, and perhaps you want to jump-start some kind of change.

The bottom line is: you need to change it up, shock your body, give it something new to chew on!

One of my favorite ways to break through a plateau is to do a plyo workout. Make sure you feel strong enough first, and thus safe, and then try adding a few jumps to your training schedule. It can be as easy as including 3×20 squat jumps, 3 times per week, in the middle of your regular workout. Not only are they energizing, but it’s also a great way to incorporate all that core work you have been working on. You will be amazed at how much energy you will gain after just one week, not to mention the boost in your metabolism!

Now transfer that process to real life. What needs a boost in your daily life for change to happen? Is there an area where you feel you want to improve? Which tools can you use? Do you long for more focus? Maybe a short daily meditation practice could be implemented. Do you feel a lack of motivation at present? Perhaps an inspiring book about someone’s true life story about overcoming hurdles is the tool to use. A few of my personal favorites: reading poetry for instant inspiration, listening mindfully to the lyrics of my favorite musical artist, or reading a new book. It isn’t difficult or complicated to create change in the status quo. It only takes action.

Here’s a quick energy-booster workout:

1. After a short warm-up, do 5 sun salutations in a row. Be mindful of breath and movement. Reach arms overhead, do a swan dive forward, stay in a forward bend for a few breaths, and the return to a standing position.

2. Squat deep and jump up in the air, landing back into another squat. Repeat for 20 if you can.

3. Do 3×30 second planks, in a push-up position.

4. Repeat the squat-jump sequence.

5. Do 10 slow roll-ups lying on the floor.

6. Repeat the squat-jump sequence a third time.

Repeat this short energy workout three times a week for two weeks, and experience an uplifting change in your energy, metabolism … and in your smile!

Live Life Loud!

Image: d’n'c