Sometimes, we can all use a little help in the motivation department. Reassessing your metabolic profile every 6 to 12 weeks can help in so many ways. As you’re putting your assessment to use and working with your fitness tools—sticking with your exercise plan, monitoring the data from your heart rate monitor, eating what’s best for your body—you can feel the progress you’re making toward your fitness goal. But some things aren’t as obvious. A reassessment can reveal the changes in your fuel composition (how much more fat than carbs are you burning now?) and quantify your success. Most importantly, as you pursue your grand fitness plan, reassessing your body’s inner metabolic workings means you’ll be able to stay on top of your needs. Instead of waiting until you notice that your current plan just isn’t working anymore, you’ll be able to tweak your fitness regimen as you go, adjusting the intensity and keeping the exercise challenge fresh and interesting, mentally and physically.

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °
> next: athletic performance