Don't get left behind.

It’s fair to say that humans are, in general, creatures of habit. We don’t like change. In a lot of ways, this natural inclination to stick to our own status quo works in our favor. Building a routine and maintaining it is, in fitness and otherwise, a good thing! Routine is what allows us to progress and grow in our fitness journey, and many other aspects of life.

There comes a point however, where our routine starts to limit and actually work against us. If we’re too set in our ways to think beyond what we’ve been doing for months or even years, we're confining ourselves and potentially missing out on exercises, sports, and activities that could benefit us physically and mentally.

Talking strictly physical, there are some very tangible reasons why switching up your workout is essential. It’s important to keep in mind that our bodies are constantly changing, especially as we age into our later years. We hate to admit it, but our bodies just can’t handle the same things when we’re 40 as when we were 18! This doesn’t mean we have to stifle our training, but simply evolve. 

There’s nothing stopping you from becoming your most fit self right now, no matter your age. The key here is to train smarter, continue to challenge yourself and expand out of your comfort zone while staying safe and healthy.

Here's 5 ways you can stay motivated and evolve with your body throughout your fitness journey:

5. Listen to Your Body

In this case, your body is your temple, and your shaman. It’s crucial to tune in and listen to its wants and needs in order to maximize your training.

Do you find your knees complaining more often than not after a session of HIIT sprints? Give yourself a break from the treadmill and try out some equally cardio-intense machines like the stairmaster or elliptical. 

4. Track Your Results

We know getting down in the spreadsheets is not everyone’s cup of tea. It could be the difference between stagnating at your current state and kicking your fitness to the next level, though.

Once you notice your performance plateau in a certain exercise, you know it’s time to switch things up. Apps like BodySpace and Strava can make it fun and easy to track your results.

3. Recognize the Little Things Count

Change doesn’t have to be drastic to be effective. If you’re hesitant to stray from your tried-and-true regimen, start with small alterations to your existing exercises.

Some tweaks you can make include playing with your set and/or rep-to-rest-time ratio, swapping your equipment (i.e. dumbbells for medicine balls), and even just adjusting to a new grip when performing moves like deadlifts, pull-ups, and push-ups.

 2. Mix It Up

Let’s face it, it’s tough to stay motivated doing the same tired routine every week. While it may seem intimidating or like too much effort, stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things is the key to success in evolving and maximizing your fitness journey.

Try shaking up your routine with a new MME workout program. You can take your pick from a selection of fresh Bodyweight or Gym Workouts, all based on military-backed training principles that keep you on your toes.

Alternatively, if you belong to a gym, take a look at the class list and commit to trying one. If that one doesn’t prove to be your jam, try another one. Even if you’ve tried a certain activity and didn’t care for it in the past, you might be surprised what you find enjoyable now. 

1. Never Skip Mobility Day

Often overlooked by those focused on building muscle and taking to the weights, we cannot express enough the importance of mobility and flexibility for your overall health, especially in the long term.

With the ultimate goal of achieving our personal best health and performance while minimizing pain and injury, mobility training will do wonders for your joints and flexors as you age.

Dedicate at least one workout a week to mobility exercises, and never skip your stretches pre and post-workout. 

Give these 5 methods a try to keep your fitness journey evolving and start seeing the change you make in all of the best ways. Your body will thank you. 

Thanks for reading, stay strong warrior.

Maggie Johnson | MME Wellness Contributor