With many people having now returned to their busy social lives, maintaining fitness goals and staying motivated can become difficult to sustain. This may be because you haven’t found an exercise you enjoy or you’re struggling to find the time – whether that’s due to upholding social plans or a hectic work life, it can all have an impact and make it more difficult to maintain a fitness regime.

Thankfully, as the days become lighter and your body gets some much needed vitamin D, now is the perfect time to get back into fitness. So, for those who require some extra motivation and a greater understanding of why you might have plateaued, Dean Zweck, Product Development Manager at Total Fitness, shares his insights on common obstacles to fitness and how to overcome them.

Sticking to a Routine

No matter your goals, maintaining a routine is vital to keep you in check and is an ideal way to monitor your success. Make sure your workouts are convenient to you and fit in around your daily routine, as you only need 150 minutes of physical activity a week to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which is just 20 minutes a day.

The best way to form a routine is understanding what time of the day you’re most motivated to move – maybe it’s straight after your alarm goes off or an evening trip to the gym. The most important thing is to ensure it’s a time that suits you. Setting alarms is a fantastic way to hold yourself accountable and a sure-fire way to turn your workout into a habit.

Too Much, Too Soon

Joining the gym is an ideal way to be surrounded by innovative equipment and inspiring individuals. However, that can become overwhelming if you’re not too sure what it is you want from your workouts.

It can be fun trying out all the new and exciting equipment but burning out at the first hurdle won’t help you to reach your fitness goals. Your body needs time to adapt to all the new movements, which is why it’s best to slowly build up your stamina and incorporate different forms of exercise into your routine. It’s important to pair weightlifting with cardio to give your muscles time to recover.

For best results, create a timetable which includes what areas of your body you want to target over the course of a week, to ensure your entire body is receiving a workout and you’re not overdoing it. This will make your goals much more achievable to reach.

You Haven’t Found the Workout for you

Exercise can come in many different forms, so one reason you might be lacking in motivation could be that you haven’t found a workout that excites you. Exercising shouldn’t be a chore, it should be incorporated into your daily life because you find it fun and motivating.

If you can’t get to grips with weights or find the cross-trainer repetitive, why not opt for a boot camp or spin class, both of which are available at Total Fitness’ clubs, as they are a fun and entertaining ways to keep fit. You will also be surrounded by likeminded individuals, making it a great place to socialise and help keep you motivated, especially with instructors there to guide your every move.

If you can’t fit in a weekly class or a trip to the gym, simply getting outdoors and moving your body is still a great way to keep fit. Walking your furry companion every evening or taking a leisurely walk on your lunch break are both easy ways to incorporate fitness into your lifestyle. By combining different activities, you’ll constantly have something new to look forward within your workouts and leave you wanting to challenge yourself more.

Fuel Your Body

Getting the nutrients your body needs is key to making sure you can get through your weekly workout sessions. Sometimes, it can be difficult to maintain a balanced diet, especially with spontaneous plans or hectic work weeks. However, a balanced diet and eating the right foods are both vital in providing you with the sustenance you need to work out. If you don’t eat the right foods, you are more prone to feeling lethargic and as a result will make it easier to say no to exercise.

The best way to make sure your body is ready for exercise is to make sure you eat nutritious foods, with meals which are packed with fibre (fruit and veg), complex carbs, protein and healthy fats. In addition, a pre-workout snack can give you a much needed energy boost to give you the extra motivation to work out.

Get Inspired

Finally, exercise is all about having fun and discovering the unique ways your body likes to sweat. If your gym has an app, like we do at Total Fitness, why not find out the latest classes or have a chat with one of the personal trainers to get you pumped and ready to reach your goals.

In addition, hitting the gym with your friend or partner is not only a wonderful way to switch up your time together but an ideal approach to stay accountable for your fitness goals.

So, if you feel like your fitness has plateaued, hopefully these insights will help you get back on the right track.