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Question: I love to work out, but my life has suddenly gotten busy and my time is
extremely limited. I’m frustrated and afraid I’ll get out of shape. Help!
Answer: Sometimes in our lives, the balance shifts. We have to be flexible. In addition to a
flexible body, you need a flexible mind and spirit. Some suggestions: Alter your workout routine.
Be moderate. Try to do a bare minimum 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3 to 4 times a week. This is
enough for cardiovascular fitness. And when things settle down, you’ll be able to jump back
in and regain your fitness level within three to four weeks. I’m on a fitness-maintenance
routine currently, but I know that later in the year I’ll be traveling less and working out
more. Minimal efforts now pay big dividends down the road. Also, try to gain perspective. Perhaps
you’ve chosen to work a little more to further your career or increase your income. This
doesn’t mean you have to completely stop working out. Find windows of opportunity. Bring a
brown-bag lunch to work and exercise on your lunch hour. Take advantage of weekends.
Question: Lately I’ve hit a plateau and don’t seem to be improving. What’s
wrong?
Answer: To deal with plateaus, it helps to understand some physiology. As you exercise more, it
takes time for your body to adjust to the increased workload. Once your body adjusts, it will be
stronger. But until it does, there’s a time when you don’t see improvement. This is a
plateau. It’s a step along the way to mastery—nature’s way of helping you reach your
full potential. You have to embrace the plateau. If you fight it, you set yourself up for injury.
A plateau can last anywhere from one to two months, to eight to 12 months.
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