MAINTENANCE PHASE
Is No Time To Relax
by: Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S.S., C.S.C.S.
|
|
After working so hard to reach my weight goal, I would like to change my workouts from five days a week to three days a week. It took me six months to reach my goal, and I am getting a little bored and now would like to change my workouts to a maintenance routine. Is this possible?
|
|
A: Congratulations on meeting your fitness goals during the past six months. Your hard work definitely paid off. I would love to tell you that you can now limit your exercise routine and maintain the success you have just achieved; however, it's not that simple. Although you may be able to modify your workouts to maintain your current level, you will have to continue to work. The maintenance phase of exercise is a place many people strive to reach. If only they can achieve their goals, then maybe they can limit the amount of exercise they do and still maintain their level of fitness-or not work out at as high an intensity and remain at I their goal weight, body fat or fitness level. Before you consider limiting your exercise, look at what it required for you to meet your goals.
Exercising five days a week can be a great commitment of time and energy. When you have a goal, it seems logical to spend as much time as possible working toward it. It is important to remember, though, that you will have to work just as hard to maintain it. This might not mean working out five days a week, but it might entail continuing to modify your workouts. Change up your workouts. If working out five days a week is not possible anymore, then make the most of three days, but change from your normal routine.
|
Exercising five days a week can be a great commitment of time and energy. It is important to remember, though, that you will have to work just as hard to maintain it.
|
The cardiovascular routine that helped you reach your goal is great for now, but over time your body will adjust to the challenge that is needed to complete this exercise and will not have to work as hard to complete it. This can result in lower calorie expenditure, which in turn will change the number of calories you burn each workout and affect your ability to maintain the fitness goal you reached.
If your body was burning 325 calories on the treadmill each workout and now is burning only 300 calories, you will begin to see changes to your results because your body is no longer burning those 25 additional calories each workout. Over time, if you maintain the same nutrition habits and do not make up the calorie difference in other activities, you will begin to see your body change. To avoid burning out or getting bored, try new activities. Think outside the box of your normal routine and add other workouts that are fun and exciting and allow your body to maintain the intensity you achieved while reaching your goal. Your "maintenance phase" will consist of new exercises, but not the elimination of exercise. Always consult a physician before beginning an exercise program.
Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S,S., C.S.C.S., is a personal trainer with an extensive background in strength and conditioning as well as therapeutic recreation, If you have a fitness or training question, write to Andrea In care of King Features Weekly Servlce P.O. Box 53&475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475
|
DISCLAIMER:
Information on this section is provided for
general educational and
informational purposes only. This
information is not intended as a
substitute for advice, treatment, or
recommendations from health care
professionals. It is important to
follow the advice of your physician
and other health care professionals
regarding your individual medical
and health care needs. Please
consult with your physician or other
health care professional before
using any drug product discussed
within this Website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
