Muscle Memory

What is muscle memory?

Muscle memory is basically your body adapting to your workouts.
When you workout, your body becomes stronger, "remembering"
the moves you did, and next time you do them, it will be easier.

How does it work?

It's simple. Say you do 25 squats on your very first workout. You will
be pretty sore the next day, but after a few days or weeks of doing 25
squats, they will have no effect on you, they will be easy.
This is because your body became stronger, in a way your muscles
"remembered" the moves and adapted to them.

Why is it so important?

Muscle memory is so important when it comes to losing weight
because if you don't avoid muscle memory, your results will begin to
decline, and perhaps stop altogether.
This happens because, in order for your body to burn calories during
a workout, it needs to be challenged - always!
When you begin to experience muscle memory and are no longer
challenging your body, it is not really getting worked out. It is basically
going through the motions of the workout.
Your muslces have that "been there done that" kind of feeling.
This will get you no results on the scale.

How to avoid muscle memory

It's easy. Change your workouts every 7-10 days.
Your body adapts to your workouts in as little as 7 days.
If you want to stick with your workout, you can just change the
number of repititions, or increase the weights you are using.
This does not need to be complicated. Just always challenge
yourself during your workouts.
Try new things. An exercise class, a new dvd, kickboxing, anything!
Not only does this help you stay on track, it keeps you from getting
bored with exercise.

If your workout is becoming easy

You are experiencing muscle memory!
This is actually a good thing because it means you are getting
stronger!
But - it's time to switch things up!