Overcoming Plateaus

This speaks mostly to those campers who have been with us for a while. You already know that fitness is a journey – a lifestyle – and you can’t expect to get better every time you perform in camp. So what can you expect when you’ve been here for a while and you don’t seem to be progressing like you used to? Consider these points to help you overcome fitness plateaus:

1. Reevaluate goals – It’s good to reconsider your goals every camp. Your main goal is probably to “get fit,” but it’s helpful to be more specific. Break a 7-minute mile. Score a 16 on tabata sit-ups. Complete 10 perfect push-ups on your toes. Drop 2 minutes off your “Lisa” or “Dawn” or “Bryan” time.

2. Redefine “hard work” – Most of us are unwilling to push to the point where the workout gets very uncomfortable. You become a little nauseous, dizzy, out of breath, etc. At this point, most of us dial it down a bit to stay in control, but it’s your determination to keep going at this point that separates the good from the great and the great from the elite.

3. Regain motivation – Why do you do this? Sometimes we question why we even work out, and we go through seasons of waning motivation. This is normal, so just know that it will come and be ready to grind it out. The length of these tough times varies – sometimes you lack motivation for only a single day and you’re ready to get back after it the next day. Other times, you may go weeks without feeling really excited about working out. Constantly remind yourself: “I feel better, I look better and I’m healthier when I work out.” Also, setting and reaching attainable goals tends to do wonders for motivation.

4. Challenge yourself – one of the few drawbacks of the camp setting is that we can’t always be in everyone’s business at all times. When the trainers’ backs are turned and you don’t have someone over you giving you specific instruction, what do you do? In these moments, it’s easy to slack off, compromise form, and turn off the intensity. Let’s try something new, though. Pick up a heavier kettlebell, go lower on your squat, run as hard as you can. There are plenty of ways to challenge yourself more in camp. The simple answer – Go harder, go faster, lift something heavier!

5. Accept bad days, don’t accept bad effort. Plenty of variables affect your performance for any given day in camp – sleep, diet, stress level, job, etc. Thus, you can’t expect to break records everyday, but that doesn’t mean we can’t expect you to try your hardest everyday. Like Jerry West said, “You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.”

So if you find yourself stuck in a fitness rut, act on these tips, and find a way to dig yourself out!