CrossFit is an effective high-intensity exercise for weight loss and muscle building. However, just like any other cardiovascular and strength training, once you stop it, you quickly lose physique that you’ve spent countless hours achieving.
How can you sustainably maintain your weight and physique with CrossFit? Here are some tips to help you out:
- Do not overdo it
It is easy to get addicted to CrossFit, especially when it promises the best results in the shortest amount of time. But, beware, because it is taxing to do CrossFit and once you overdo it, you get a high chance of getting injuries and illnesses due to overtraining. So, what once was a promising exercise turns out to be crippling for you.
The key is not to do it once, twice, or thrice a week, but to listen to your body. Some people have been doing athletics all their lives and so, can take high-intensity exercise more than others. Others have only started but were recommended by their coaches to do the routine at least twice a week to get excellent results. However, these coaches tend to overlook that every person is different and so, what works for one might not work for another.
Do not let others decide for you. Listen to your body and only do what you can. If you’re not that fit, you might want to do gentler exercises first, such as running and swimming, so you get your body going into training mode. After being okay with running and doing basic strength training, you can move on to basic CrossFit, not into beast mode where the coach will just keep on pushing you to do 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, then 50 pull-ups in one session.
- Take rest days
Since CrossFit lets you enjoy an endorphin high after every workout, it is easy to want to do this routine as much as you can. But, think twice before doing your third workout for the week. You want to ensure that you are still healthy and active despite the intensity of the workouts. And do not wait for you to get injured or to feel sore and fatigued before taking a rest. Before those warning signs get to you, let your body take its well-deserved rest.
And don’t think of rest as doing light jogging or strength training. Taking a break means getting off from exercise and doing other non-physically demanding activities that you enjoy such as playing with your pets, reading, and walking around the park.
- Get the best nutrition
You can’t alternate diet for supplements, and the more you burn calories, the more you need to make sure you’re getting the nutrition that is required to keep you active and healthy. Eat balanced meals consisting of the right amount of carbohydrates, protein, fruits, and vegetables to help your body recover. Stay away from packaged foods that promise energy and weight loss; it is still best to get your nutrients from food. Drink lots of water, and refrain from taking sodas, too much coffee, and artificial juices. You can never sustain your exercises when you don’t nourish yourself properly.
These are the ways by which you can maintain your weight and physique with CrossFit. It is easy to get burnt out with this routine, but with the correct strategy, you can keep on doing this addicting exercise without taxing your body from its intensity.