You might be hitting the gym 3+ days per week. Maybe you are tracking your macros. Perhaps you are “checking” all the boxes off, yet your results just aren’t there. While there are many factors to take into account when looking at the big picture of your goals, we see a common thread with those who seem to be stagnant in their wellness journey. So let’s talk! Here are three potential reasons you may not be seeing the results you have been seeking.
1. Not enough rest. For many of our clients, this means sleep. Are you getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night? Are you going to bed at a consistent time? And yes, it’s one of those things that is easier said than done. But hear us out - lack of sleep can lead to poor performance of exercise, poor mood, and less than optimal muscle growth or weight loss, if that is your goal.
2. Lack of consistency. We love a great virtual workout. After all, our training sessions are 100% remote! However, if you are youtubing random workouts online or saving Instagram videos for your exercise routine, you are likely not getting the consistency your body and muscles need in order to achieve the goals you are pursuing. The same concept applies to nutrition and any other habit. If you aren’t applying consistent practices to your eating habits (like going wild on the weekends, for instance), you may be self-sabotaging. Our suggestion? Try being as consistent as possible with your workouts, nutrition, habits (or whatever you are aiming at achieving) for 2-3 weeks before making changes to your routine. Document or track as you see fit, and take a good look at if what you are doing aligns with the progress you are aspiring to make.
If you aren't applying consistent practices, you may be self-sabotaging.
3. No progressive overload. If you have been using the same weights for every exercise for the past few months, you are not adequately challenging your body. We realize not everyone has access to unlimited equipment, but there are a variety of ways to increase the challenge of the exercises you are performing (see this blog post for the details). And if you are still confused on how to appropriately incorporate progressive overload into the periodization of your routine long-term, let’s talk!
The Takeaway
Although there are many variables that can affect whether you are “seeing” or feeling results in your wellness and overall fitness, these three areas listed above are the most common we see when working with clients. Take an honest look at how you are doing with these three variables, hone in on an area to change, and give it a go! We are always here for you, whether you have milestone goals, or want to make small tweaks in your routine.
Jessica Corkin is a certified personal trainer at Begin Within. She holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and has spent the last eight years working in the fitness and wellness industry. When she is not virtually training clients, she enjoys strength training, running, being outdoors, and spending quality time with her husband and dog. Connect with her here.
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