Thursday, January 17, 2008

Some Plateaus Are Good

When we work out, we often reach a place of slow or no growth where we maintain our fitness level. Search the blog for my first plateau blog. If you want to see more results in endurance, flexibility or strength, get off the plateau. This can be done by varying the exercises you do, increasing speed, interval training, plyometrics and a new class such as hot yoga.

It is sometimes good, however, to be on a plateau. This is so when you rest your muscle in between workouts. For instance, if you do biceps curls one day, rest your biceps when it comes to using them as a primary mover the next day. You may want to have your muscles "rest" on a fitness level or enjoy a fitness level for several weeks. That can actually be healthy for you. You do not want to never be satisfied or to exhaust your muscles. We have night time and weekends to rest, students take most of the summer off of school, and employees often take weeks off of work each year.

As you meditate and work out, you will be in touch with yourself to the point that you will know if it fits you to be on a plateau at a time and for how long to stay in a plateau aerobically or for a particular muscle or muscle group.

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

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