Hitting the Wall
At some point during our physical fitness journey, we may find ourselves reaching a plateau (otherwise known as “hitting the wall”). Hitting the wall is when we feel like we are no longer progressing in our fitness goal and are not reaping the benefits of our hard work. Many have pushed through it, but at the same time, many have succumbed to it. Here’s what to do when you experience a rough patch in your fitness routine.
Variability
The decrease in progress could result from the lack of variability in your exercise routines. When incorporating variability and changing your routines on a weekly basis, you integrate an element of surprise and shock to your muscles. If you perform the same routine every week, your muscles will adapt to that stress and it becomes easier to perform that task with each successive exercise bout. Variability constantly challenges your muscles and stresses them in different ways giving them little room for adaptation. So, try out new workouts, or maybe run at different speeds or lengths. Listen to Fitz Koehler talk about this dynamic schedule below!
Experience
When you hit that wall, think about what you’ve done to make it this far. You are a strong person that has worked to be here. Do not let a short rough patch get in the way of discrediting the experience that makes you who you are. Confront that rough patch and deal with it. A rough patch is short and always ends. Reflect on what you have done in the past, and use that to push through that temporary rough patch.
Belief
At the end of the day, it comes down to you and your own self-belief. Do you believe you have what it takes to get you through? Only you can answer that question. It better be a resounding “yes”! Your self-efficacy, which is the belief in your ability to perform certain behaviors, depends on your ability to emerge triumphant in the eyes of challenges.
