Plateaus...how to conquer?

If you were speaking in terms of a running, a plateau might seem like an easy feat...a flat terrain is cake! But - in terms of fitness, it is a big hurdle! For more than 18 months I was able to see progress on the scale, in fitness, and visually. But now - the scale is not my friend, my fitness regime is the same or better, and I am not seeing any visual results. I've read a lot of other people experiences, and I am now seeing first hand how difficult it is. I read a lot about 'shocking' the body and changing up the routine. With the addition of swimming and biking - it seems like I am doing just that! Today is Friday and I was not really feeling like going to the gym. I had great workouts Tues/Wed/Thursday but not as motivated today. Sometimes though, a little motivation comes when you least expect it!

I was filling up my water bottle and walking to the bathroom when a women from another department says, "I don't mean to be personal, I'm not that observant, but I can really tell you are looking good and working hard". She went on to ask what I had been doing, saying she had to get back to working out and we chatted a little. She was really encouraging without making me think I needed to change. One thing she said was, "sometimes people ask if you lost weight - and you just want to be like I didn't just do that, I worked my butt off for it too!"

So needless to say, I am going to go make my trip to the gym for the day! Probably just 30 minutes of cycling and some weights, but a nice little boost for a Friday! I realized a lot of my success has been my consistency with my workout routine.

I know I will have ups and downs - and maintenance is the hardest part, so sometimes it is nice to have a little reminder :-)

Workout update:
Wednesday I got my long bike ride in at Cherry Creek park - even with some dark storm clouds! I finished the 19 miles - 12 minutes faster than last week!
Thursday I did the Orchard Hills park and ran 1.5/1.5 with some light drops of rain the last 15 minutes.
Tomorrow or Sunday I will have my long run - 6 miles total again split 4 miles/walk/2 miles! No swimming this week...I need to improve next week!

I also signed up for the 5 mile race next weekend in the Garden of the Gods! I am really excited. It was great motivation to crank up the running and will be good practice for the Bolder Boulder in 5 weeks!