My update for week 5 is that I have plateaued.
But let’s be honest folks, a plateau implies that I’ve done all that I could in my power and still leveled out my fitness options – and frankly, I have not. Therefore it’s not so much a plateau – as it is that I’m not trying very hard at the moment.
In the last week and a half, my protein intake has dropped dramatically and I have also stopped doing my intervals (cardio). All I have for not maintaining my rhythm is a string of excuses.
Part of the point of revamping my fitness – is to examine the lifestyle that I live and the choices I have been making NOT to focus on my health. Avoidance.
Why do I avoid?
This part of the cycle is generally where I have the most trouble with commitment.
As some would say, I tend to self sabotage right about here.
So, if I want to seriously make the commitment to a healthier life – I need to understand the psychology of why I do this. Find the trigger to the pattern repetition and re-wire it.
Obviously, I feel better. I feel stronger and more powerful. At the end of week five I’m lifting three times the amount I could lift when I started. I’m showing muscle definition in my thighs, arms and calves. My stamina has improved significantly. Also, in my last workout, I did the prescribed set of reps and sets and still felt great – so I said, “I’m not dead yet, Nick. I think I’m gonna do another round.”
And he was like, “Who are you, and what have you done with Athena?’
That felt pretty good.
Even still, I am currently only doing half of the program. Without my intervals and protein intake maxed out there will be no further progress and I know it – and yet I am still not amped up to get better results. I don’t think its burnout. I really think I’ve hit a mental block or emotional trigger.
Time to do some digging and figure out why I’m stuck and build a plan to help me pull myself out of it.
There you have it folks, week five and now the deeper issues arise.
5 Comments(+Add)
One trick is to reward yourself with something nice when you work out. Some people use snacks, other people use music. Sex. Hanging out with friends. Right after you work out and it keeps your motivation from deteriorating over time.
Great post! You aren’t the only one to hit walls like this. In fact, that makes you normal.
What is amazing is that most of us are prone to self-sabotage. Our fear of failure is so great, that we will go out of our way to manifest failure … as if to confirm our fear.
Messed up to say the least!
Thankfully, you have me!
And your ability to recognize what’s happening will aid you greatly. Now that you know that you are hitting that wall, you’ll be better able to bust through it.
And once you do that, your mind will be blown! (add cool sound effects here)
You’re sooo not asking for advice, but here’s my POV anyway. Please let me know anytime that gets annoying.
The self-induced plateau or lack of motivation is something I still have not been able to disassemble and understand yet, and maybe it is different for each individual.
But as redneck as this sounds… In some cases it’s best to quit thinking. The intervals are an option, so maybe you ask yourself If you are gonna do them, if you feel like it. Do you ask yourself if you’re gonna brush your teeth or have at least one big glass of water every day? Why – cuz it’s not an option. I know there’s no immediate repurcussions but maybe try no thinky, no option for awhile. Sometimes you have to Show your body, not Talk your body into it.
And you can still process while working out : )
Another thing that goes along with what Sondra is saying is don’t overthink things. This goes for all sorts of things, not just working out. If I’m at the gym and I’m thinking of how much I hate working out… it’s going to take it’s toll. If I’m at the gym and I’m thinking about plot lines for a book I’m writing, I’ll finish my workout without even realizing how much time and calories I’ve burned through. Make it a mentally relaxed excersize similar to driving on the open freeway.
If it was easy, everyone would do it.