But then I remember me, what I'm worth and what my goal means to me. I think about how much work I have already put into this and how much further I have to go! I remind myself of every hour spent lifting, sweating, running, jumping, focused only on my goal INSTEAD of putting that time/energy into my relationships - in short, I think of all the sacrifices and energy I have put into my fitness goals and I know NO amount of salt or sugar is worth that! I have the sore muscles and unreturned party-invites to prove it!
Just to be clear as long as my body fat is where it should be and my stamina is intact, normal Tristan could give a flying poop if her weight moves 6-lbs this way or that, but Contest-prep Tristan is a different animal. With NPC Nationals approaching, every pound counts!
Fortunately I have a few options concerning when and where I want to compete next but we are not talking 'plethora' here and time is of the essence! Instead of spreading out my chances of making this dream a reality I may have to put all of my eggs in one basket... one very big basket... with lots and lots of beautiful eggs... sigh.
I digress...
Whenever I write posts of this nature (regarding plateaus) I will then advice you to:
A) take a good hard look at your diet and make adjustments
or
B) mix up your workout/try something new/breakout of your comfort zone/WORK HARDER.
Did you do this?
Think back to when you started this journey. If you have hit a honest-to-gawd plateau then chances are it's not your first one and that you have been working out and eating pretty clean for a while now. You have seen your body do this before and you have followed my advice and busted right thru that plateau only to find another one 10-lbs later. This blows, I know. BUT this is how our body (the amazing machine that it is) works. It adapts, you change it up, and blamOh! You are back in business!
*NOTE: a plateau is NOT weight gain or maintaining your weight because you have been indulging in the food department a little too much (cocktail hour, bigger portions, dessert, etc) but still working-out. The type of plateau I'm referring to is the one where you have been just nailing it with the diet and exercise (cardio, weight-lifting, clean eating, eating small meals throughout the day, breakfast!) but the scale and/or measurements are not budging.
Here are three things I want you to consider once you have reached that plateau, yet again, and need a plan as far as how to move forward:
1) After you have tried the above tactics (see A & B) and take a step back (or back on the scale) and still 'no dice' then you need to consider that you, have in fact, reached your body's optimum weight. Congratulations! It is time to change your aesthetic or weight-loss goal into a physical fitness goal. Your health and fitness goals must always be changing to challenge you and your body. Maybe your body, your machine, is tired of dieting or working with the intentions of getting that scale to move and if you change your goal to run a certain distance, increase your muscle-mass, kick the instructors butt in class, or out-hike Cheryl at your weekly 'Meet-Up' your body will get confused enough to yield the results you were looking for in the first place!
Or better yet, you will enjoy pursuing your new goal enough to appreciate the journey or story of it.
2) If people are telling you how awesome you look, how much your body has changed, or asking what 'your secret is' then Hello?! You've made it! Stop picking your body apart. You are gorgeous, fit, and healthy. Celebrate! Buy that bikini that intimidated you before, or if you are a dude, take your shirt off at the community pool with pride! Maybe you are not EXACTLY where you dreamed you would be but wow, look how far you have come! You have earned a little mental break! Don't stop working out by any means, or un-learn what 'WORK-ing' out really is. NOW you have become one of 'those people' who care about their health and body and has made fitness and eating healthfully a permanent part of your life. That's freaken' cool. Instead of starring at that scale or those size-whatever jeans you want to fit into, it's time to put into practice some 'body-love' and give yourself kudos for sticking to the plan long enough to see actual changes in your body! Keep going. Live life in your new body. Give your body and yourself gratitude and props for how far you have come and how far you still have potential to go. Your body needs all the love, gratitude and kudos you would give to a child or friend who did well so do not neglect yourself in this way.
BUT WHAT IF you have "done those things" (whiny voice), feel as though you are not making progress and still want to obtain that 'Perfect 10' ideal body? What if, like me, you KNOW you still have room to improve or a goal you MUST hit, what then????
Do you want truth?
Can you handle the truth?
You asked for it...
3) Hire a trainer or purchase a customized nutrition or workout plan that is made specifically for you. Sometimes you just have to admit, as smart and as hardworking as you are, that you don't know everything and more importantly, you CAN'T look at your body, diet, or current training objectively enough to bust through this current plateau from hell. It is through this outside source that you will be able to approach "A & B" in a way you never thought of before! I myself, am taking my own advice and recently asked a respected professional in the industry to rip me a new one as far as my training and diet are concerned. I know I need this relationship in my life now and that is downright essential for me at this point in my journey. I need someone to humble me, educate me, and motivate me to get my body to another level and to reach my personal goals, pride be damned!
So humble yourself and get someone to help you. Ask around, find a professional you respect, admire, or better yet, WANT TO LOOK LIKE and see what services they offer. It doesn't mean you are not a total rockstar in that gym or class, it just means you recognize the importance of continuing your education concerning exercises, nutrition, and overall wellness. Sometimes just having someone who's job it is to keep you engaged and moving is enough, other times you need someone who understands 'the math' of it all. I know I personally will never stop pursuing my education in this field and that is actually a huge part of the appeal of fitness as a career for me: there is so much to know and new developments (ESPECIALLY IN NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTATION) are being made DAILY! I'll never get bored! This will never get stale! Excited face! I mean up until 3 years ago, flax seed was something only your Grandma ate!
Keep Working. Keep Learning. Keep sweating your butts off & don't forget to laugh through the suck. We WILL bust through this plateau. We Will not STOP until we reach our goal. It will be our perseverance that defines us (if not our rock-hard abs.) Who-Raw.
I believe in you,
xox T
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