Don’t be a slave to your workouts! When you start to get bored, switch things up and get creative. It can actually do wonders for your health and morale! We’ve all thought about it. We see a cool new workout plan (probably right here on Fitbodyhq) and wonder what it would be like to give it a shot for a few months. But, you’ve been told that you shouldn’t give up. That sticking to your current workout plan is the only way you’ll see results.
Let’s get that misconception out of the way right now. Sticking to one particular workout plan is not the only way to get fit. It isn’t even the best way. Now, I agree that commitment is the only way to get results in the gym (and in life, but that’s for another article). That being said, the commitment should be to exercising and being active in general. It does NOT have to be to one particular program or plan, especially if that plan makes you completely miserable.
Okay, so you want to switch programs.
Before you go ahead and buy that yoga mat, let’s go over a few things. The first question we need to cover is:
How long have you been on your current program?
If you’re a week into your new routine, I’d suggest waiting a while. Specifically, until you hit 6 weeks (give or take a few weeks; we’re all different, after all).
Right now, your body is just starting to realize it has to adapt to your exercises. Two weeks ago, your body had no idea what an incline bench press or clean and jerk was. Now, you expect it to just effortlessly pick up this complex pattern of movement? Maybe you’re expecting too much from your body too soon.
The human body is a beautiful thing. A self-healing, ever changing organism. Always adapting, always trying to compensate for our weaknesses. Very rarely do we give it the credit (or attention) it truly deserves. A wise man once said to me: “give your body time. It will give you the sun and moon, if you’re patient enough.” When starting a new workout program (as long as it isn’t compromising your joints or structural integrity), stick with it for a solid amount of time. Often the workouts aren’t what’s wrong. We’re usually responsible for our own failures in some way.
But let’s say you don’t fall into that category. You’re a seasoned gym rat/athlete who has been doing the same workout routine for the last 2 years, eating properly, stretching and just being good to your body in general. One day, you start doing some research and realize that another training plan is calling your name. At this point, you might be hesitant to take that next step. After all, you got all your results with your current training plan; should you just stick with this and hope for the best?
Absolutely not! If you feel like it’s time for a change, it’s time for a change. You’ve obviously given everything you have to this current training plan, but it’s time to move on. By now, your body has probably adapted to your current workouts. Switching things up is probably one of the best things you can do for your body. Embracing a new fitness routine will force your body to adapt once again. Adapting leads to growth and growth leads to the next level of fitness. And honestly? It’s just more exciting to dive into the unknown than it is to keep pushing through the same workout plan day in and day out.
Personally, I never do the same workout routine for longer than 6 months, even when I’m getting the results I expect. Why? Because change is good. Change excites me. Change motivates me. But more than anything, change helps me grow. When I choose to challenge my body, I allow my body to adapt. And when you choose to change and grow, you’ll become stronger, faster and healthier than you ever thought possible.
Brian Leguizamon is a 20 year old college student/fitness enthusiast/health nut/jack of all trades. Brian fell in love with physical fitness in high school and can't get enough of it these days. Brian has tried his hand at pretty much everything these days: Crossfit, yoga and even martial arts. To this day, Brian still has a love affair with lifting heavy weights.... Read More
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