As I’ve been on a plateau for ever and a day, and as I believe in trying new things and making fitness fun, I’ve spent the last few weeks working out a new plan for moving forward.
Diet wise, I’ve started (just this week) eating every 2-3 hours. I have a protein at every meal/snack, and I’ve increased my calories. I’m running much longer distances now in preparation for my first half marathon (GULP!) and I’ve started doing some strength workouts as well. I’m thinking part of my plateau could be that I’m not eating ENOUGH, and I also have been slacking a little lately in the healthy choices as well. Hopefully, this fires up the ‘ol metabolism and gets it burning!
I’ve started incorporating some Pilates into my week and um….Why did no one warn me that Pilates is hella hard? My core needs serious work (pregnancy+c-sections+genetics are not a good mix!) and I think Pilates may be the beast to get me stronger through my center!
I also tried Pole Dancing on the weekend! I went into the class with a bunch of friends, thinking “ha ha, this will be a laugh!” and laugh we did. However, take out the hair flipping and sexy pose stuff and WOAH! Pole dancing is no joke, friends. You need a lot of core and upper body strength to hold yourself up and to swing yourself around! As I mentioned, not my forte! I absolutely loved it though! (again, minus the “trying to be sexy” stuff) I would definitely do it again. I have this odd thought that I can just get a pole and Google or ehow and teach myself. I know that’s crazy, but the fitness aspect of it really appeals to me, while learning a routine to a song, not so much. As it was a “beginner” demo class, the hardest thing we did was a Fireman spin. I picked that up easily and had a great time swinging myself around the pole! It was actually very freeing. Of course, doing it with my friends and cracking jokes while making fools of ourselves always works for me as well.
In the spirit of trying new things and continuing to mix it up, I’m trying Shabam this week at Goodlife, with a friend. I’ll let you know how shakin’ it goes!
I’m hoping this blending of new, fun, change and training does the trick to keep me on track and to get things moving once again! I know I’m enjoying every minute of it all, and how many people can say that?
Sounds like you’re having a blast while trying to reach your goals! Keep up the great work!
What is Shabam? Good for you for trying all of these things. For sure your plateau could be you not eating enough and working out. I know so many people that that has happened to. Experiment with eating more and you may be pleasantly surprised.
Thanks Karen and Christina!
I’m definitely trying to keep it “fun” and more of a fun, happy, lifestyle than “slogging it out.”
Shabam is offered by Goodlife fitness. Its a dance based workout-think Zumba but more hip hop/urban.
I’ll let you know how the switch in cals goes!
Thanks for reading, and commenting!
Hey Tracey, I highly recommend the run/walk method. It’s what my dad used to prepare and complete the National Capital Marathon last year and he’s turning 55 this year.
If you haven’t heard of it you can look it up but I give you a basic explanation…you break up your run in segments of running and walking.
So depending on your pace, you follow this guide:
8 min/mi—run 4 min/walk 35 seconds
9 min/mi— 4 min run-1 min walk
10 min/mi—-3:1
11 min/mi—2:30-1
12 min/mi—-2:1
13 min/mi—-1:1
14 min/mi—30 sec run/30 sec walk
15 min/mi—30 sec/45 sec
16 min/mi—30 sec/60 sec
My dad started off really slow and he didn’t break any records but he finished.
Hope this helps you finish the half marathon
Good luck!