Enjoy the Plateau
Enjoy the Plateau.
Once again, I was enjoying a podcast where Tim Ferris was interviewing a ‘hero' of mine, Terry Laughlin. The man and the inspiration behind the book and DVD which introduced ‘total immersion swimming' to the world; which revolutionized how to teach and improve swimming to generations of swimmers. Unfortunately, Terry died of prostate cancer shortly after this interview was completed.
What struck me, as the interview went on, was how Terry ‘deconstructed' the swim stroke, to make it learnable to anyone willing to listen and try his method.
During the interview he talked about how all of us (learning to improve) hit a plateau. When we hit a plateau (in swimming or any aspect of any sport) we aren't going faster, and we aren't doing more distance in shorter time. This, he feels, is a normal state and we must learn to enjoy it. We must continue to want learn more about how to continue to improve our stroke or body position ( in the case of swimming), until we learn what it is that might make us move more quickly or smoothly through the water.
The important take away is not to get frustrated. In swimming, or in any aspect of life (weight loss, exercise), we will hit plateaus. We forget we have come a long way, and its important we learn to accept a plateau as normal and learn to enjoy it. It gives us time to reflect on what is working to sustain us, and what we may do to change to break through.
Most of us simply give up when we hit a plateau and turn elsewhere, or don't search thoroughly to learn what it is that is keeping us stagnant. In weight loss, it could be very simple things, correctable things. We may be not getting enough sleep. We might not be doing enough activity. Possibly, we are eating more than we need. During this time, it's important to re-evaluate everything. Never be harsh, discouraged or frustrated. Write every bit of food you are eating down; be aware of each and every thing you're eating or drinking. The same goes for exercise. See if there is something you can add in daily, whether it seems minimal or not.
You could also look at timing of meals. Not every day , but occasionally, could you have a larger meal at lunch and minimal at supper time?? Could you try not eating after 6:30pm one night? These small shifts can be significant to the body.
As frustrating as plateaus can be, look at everything and don't be afraid to change something; keep looking to see if there is something you can do to break through the plateau. As with everything we do in life, plateaus can last a long time, and one cannot allow oneself to get frustrated; worse, to give up.
Keep searching. Keep working and looking for solutions. As Terry says, "learn to enjoy the plateau” .
Never give up in anything you do. Stay confident that a solution is there; somewhere.
Dr. Doug