POST EVENT OR CHALLENGE DELOADING
As you will know by now, the Technofunc approach is all about creating a healthy, sustainable lifestyle, so as our 8 challenge comes to an end, it’s time for us to think about what next?
One of the areas I feel is most neglected when it comes to health and fitness is the post-event process. Once the tracking, meal plans and intense training comes to an end, some people can feel at a loss. This is a crucial time, as it is when your hard work from this short period can either be turned into a lifestyle, or can fall to the wayside as old habits creep back.
It is so important to me that you all feel supported even as the program comes to an end and you decide what your next move will be.
For a challenge break especially if you are joining us for the next challenge, I recommend having a two week minimum deload period. However, a deload can last longer than this if needed and is personalised to individuals goals.
BENEFITS OF COMPLETING A DELOAD PERIOD:
1. PHYSICAL RECOVERY: After a period of intense training, (and restricted calories for many of you) deloading will mean your body’s energy output decreases a little. The purpose of the extra fuel you are consuming will go towards repair and recovery. Bringing your body back to a state of full health, and vitality, which can sometimes be diminished during intense training or dieting periods.
2. MENTAL RECOVERY: For many, the program will have been quite a challenge! We know that pushing ourselves in the direction of our goals is just as much of a mental game as a physical one. The physical stress of following an intense training and nutrition plan will have a strong impact on your mental and physical state. In order to keep progressing, you may need a break from the pressure your training and diet can place your body and mind under. This deload will give you the opportunity to review your progress from the last 6 weeks, look at what you did well, what you plan to work on in the future, and assess your
journey so far.
3. INJURY PREVENTION: Pushing our bodies over a long period of time can take its toll. This is a challenge of training that doesn’t get enough exposure. I take preemptive measures to ensure injuries don’t cripple my progress. I am always conscious of the presence of little niggles or pains, my fatigue levels, and overall energy. One of the key benefits of a deload phase is to prevent overuse injuries. We know an important strategy for injury prevention is to optimise recovery, so it may help to think of a deload as an extended recovery period.
4. BEATING A PLATEAU: By changing your training volume, and intensity you will be decreasing the physical stress on your body. This can do wonders for your body,particularly if you might have hit a plateau. If your body is not changing and you feel your progress has hit a standstill, a deload may be for you. It may not seem to make sense, but sometimes a deload can be just the thing to hit reboot on your body! If you plan your deload carefully, you may even be able to skip the plateau all together. Our muscles and energy systems adapt to a training routine quickly, meaning, we need to progressively train harder to have the same impact. Deloading can combat this!
Taking this tactical break may even result in improved results when you do get back to your full training load.