Help with understanding when to change workouts

ereckless82

Hey guys! So, I just switched up my workout routine. Got a good kickboxing DVD that I am working my way through (Jillian Michaels kickboxing fast fix). I can only do two levels at once, with a break in between. I know my body is working up to being able to do this workout, but I am shocked to see that the scale didnt move this week. This seems to be a trend with me. I start a new routine, stick with it for a few weeks then change it up again and the scale stays exactly where it was the week before. It's nervewracking! Is this common? because I eat right, keep track of what I eat, I drink tons of water. I have dropped 40 of the 80lbs that I need to lose from my pregnancy so far. I've just hit this wall where I lose one week (2.5lbs a couple of weeks ago) and then not again for a few weeks and it's really driving me nuts. Just wondering if it is common to go through plateaus because of changing workouts. Thanks all!

subversive99

I think if you're sticking to your calorie goals and exercising, you will be fine in the long run. Trust the process.

CountessKitteh

When you work your muscles out in a new way, they pull in more water than usual to begin making repairs. The longer you keep up this type of activity, the more they adjust to it and stop swelling so much. If you're constantly changing your type of activity (instead of increasing weight/resistance/rep count while sticking to the same plan), you've probably got some chronic "water weight" just hanging out.

If you really like to mix up your workouts, I'd suggest varying (and then repeating) them within a 7-10 day loop, rather than switching to a whole new workout every few weeks. That's why things like 30 Day Shread exist - you work those muscles out the same way, just making the exercise more difficult as you go, so you see results. When you stop seeing results (for more than just a single week), then you change things up.

ereckless82

Thanks! I definitely trust it! It has led me to losing 40lbs already! I am just getting a little frustrated. The scale is my guide right now because putting clothes on doesn't help me determine where I am at since I am in between my HUGE pregnant clothes or my little size 6-8 clothing. lol

Adc7225

With a change in your workout routine you are more than likely working different muscles so as they adjust you may not see a change on the scale but may notice more in photos. I went through a phase like that and it took me looking at two photos side by side to see the changes. Measurements help but between chest-waist-hips there is still a lot of area that is changing Try taking a good photo at the beginning and then one a month later and see if there are any changes.