This subject just never goes away does it! And so following on from part 3 of stepping out of my comfort zone, which was all about whether it gets any easier. The answer really is whatever you want it to be.

I like to think that it doesn’t get easier, because that would be too much of a cop out, but that it just gets different.

It’s a bit like having kids. I often used to get asked by other mum’s whose children were younger than mine, “ does it get easier the older they get”

Well, my answer would always be “it doesn’t get easier, it gets different” It’s always something that you need to stay focused on, stay in tune with, and work at.

And that’s exactly what exercise, nutrition, and life is generally all about. It really doesn’t get any easier does it……..just a little more, or even a  lot challenging, and a whole lot different!!!!!

Let’s look at what that means.

To the majority, especially in the past, which also includes myself, we have been so comfortable doing the same thing, day in, day out, week after week, month after month, year after year. And heaven forbid, decade after decade! That might mean doing group fitness, the same classes, at the same time, every week, the same routine., the same schedule. Or maybe it’s running, or the same circuit at the gym or at home without any change or increase in intensity at all. I’m not saying that these things are bad, they are not, and they all have their place. But if we are doing solely group fitness, the same circuit and going for a few runs a week, and you are not going to do anything else, then if nothing is changes, nothing changes!

If you are wondering why you are not getting the desired changes, then this may be an “aha” moment! So why is this…..?

Well, basically, your body is very clever. And it knows when you are up to something like trying to lose a few kilo’s or change shape. So to get those results we are after, you also need to be a little clever also.

By all means, do the things you love doing. If it’s your favorite Body pump class, or Sh’bam class, keep doing it, it is so good for the soul. But change other things up a little. Run/bike/ walk /row for 10 minutes before a  class or workout, and 10 minutes after, doing some interval training…. sprinting, then backing off. It will raise the intensity and potential to burn more calories by a huge amount.

Throw in different circuits, or a 2-3 day split weight training routine so that you are not doing the same thing over and over again.

Or go and do something completely different like crossfit, a bootcamp, or engage the services of a personal trainer. Try kickboxing, rock climbing, and surfing. Do something different and you will definitely feel muscles you don’t normally work, and that is a good sign!

The same goes for what we put in our mouth. Vary your diet so that you are not a creature of habit, and you are eating different things, but still maintaining the correct ratio of macronutrients for you, of clean and lean carbohydrates, protein and fats.

Get on a well-balanced clean eating nutrition program. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, moderate fruit, lean protein, good fats and eliminate sugar and processed foods from your diet. If it comes out of a packet, it’s not good enough! Get in the kitchen and cook. It doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated, just nutritious.

Drink plenty of water and limit the amount of coffee, tea and alcohol you intake.

Remember that it takes 21 – 28 days to form a habit, whether it is a good habit or a bad one.

And just be prepared for whatever comes up, there are always obstacles, there are always hurdles, it doesn’t ever get harder or easier, it just gets a a little different.

Have fun..

CM x