Progress & Plateaus

When women start lifting, they often focus on workouts, nutrition, or motivation — but overlook one of the biggest recovery tools of all: sleep. The importance of sleep is getting more and more attention, which is good. But in today's word, for many reasons, it can be a struggle to get not only sleep but high quality sleep. The reality is, no amount of training can compensate for chronic sleep debt. You might be working hard, doing the reps, and tracking every detail, but if

When “More” Stops Helping A few years ago, I made the choice to switch my fitness attention to strength training. I knew this base of strength would allow me to feel stronger and have more energy day to day, and would also give me a base of strength for aerobic workouts too. It can be tempting to go all-in from the start, fueled by motivation, but this is also a recipe for tanked energy and stalled progress. This is the opposite of what we want. This leads to overtraining . P

When Strength Work Isn’t the Whole Story When I first started lifting again, I thought “recovery days” just meant active rest (walks instead of runs, for example) and stretching. But after weeks of consistent workouts, my progress plateaued — my muscles weren’t rebuilding as fast as I expected. The missing piece? Nutrition. What you eat after strength training is what actually builds  the strength you’re training for. If your body doesn’t get the right nutrients within that k

Overcoming Fitness Setbacks for Beginners: It's Part of the Journey Starting a fitness routine is exciting—but early setbacks are normal. Missed workouts, unexpected fatigue, or a plateau in progress can leave beginners discouraged. The key to long-term success isn’t perfection—it’s learning how to navigate challenges without giving up. When you understand how to overcome fitness setbacks as a beginner, you can stay consistent, build confidence, and make your home strength ro

Why Tracking Progress Matters More Than You Think Most people give up on fitness not because they aren’t improving—but because they can’t see  it yet. When you’re starting a new routine at home, it’s easy to assume nothing’s happening if the mirror looks the same or the scale doesn’t move. I can't tell you how important it is to not focus on those things. Progress is more than a number or reflection. Every time you repeat a workout, your body is learning. Your muscles are fir

You don’t have to jump, pound, or push your joints to the limit to get an amazing workout. If you’ve been avoiding exercise because you’re worried about impact, injury, or just not knowing where to start, there’s good news: low impact cardio  can help you build strength, stamina, and confidence—without leaving you sore for days or putting your knees, hips, or back at risk. And for beginners, it’s one of the smartest ways to start. In fact, the American College of Sports Medic

If you’ve ever started a workout routine full of motivation only to feel unsure a few weeks later whether you’re actually  improving,...

When you set a new fitness goal, the excitement and momentum can make the first few weeks fly by. You might feel unstoppable. But as time...

Want to build strength and confidence from the very beginning? Then here’s your shortcut: learn what not  to do. Most beginners aren’t...