Aging and Intense Training

gypsymom

gypsymom

Cathlete
I have been a Cathlete for almost 20 years. Now that I am 47, I am finding that workouts seem to wear me down, get me really hungry, and I am sick of being sore and tired. I have decent strength and muscle and my body fat is about 15%. It’s tough for me to not go all out for every workout, whether it’s lifting, cardio, hiit, etc. Even steady state cardio leaves me drained. Do you (or anyone) have any recommendations about how to handle this situation? Kind of a weird question I know, but I am open to all thoughts and suggestions (or even a "me, too!"). Thanks - Jeanne
 
I've found that I need more rest/recovery days now. I noticed it more once I turned 50 (I'm 54). I have been trying to do active rest/recovery weeks every month or so and 1-2 easy or rest days per week. I used to be able to workout for extended periods without rest days but that is no longer the case.
 
As Judy said: more recovery days. This either means rest completely, or take it down several notches, so swap a HiiT day for pilates/barre or one of Cathe's up-coming Fit Tower workouts.

Personally, I find that working out 4 days a week --I go hard, and as intensely as possible-- is enough for me. the rest of the time I am walking, gardening, doing house work, etc, but not jumping up and down.

If you carry on despite being tired and achy, injury is the next step, so you must listen to what your body is telling you. It doesn't mean you give in to aging: you just work out smarter!

Clare
 
Well, I am 38, although I have autoimmune disease, so I feel in your 'Me too' category!! :)
I also have been adhering to the work-out-smarter approach. My endo has ordered nothing high intensity for more than 22/23 minutes. In addition to that, I am doing just shorter workouts in general. My spine says that I need pilates, so I try and fit in that. Over the last 8/9 months, I am finding when I am giving in to my old pattern thinking of needing something "tough" rather than use the time (there are only so many hours in the day right? choices! choices!) for say, ball rolling, pilates & intentional stillness, I don't feel or look good. I do find, though, that I need to move in some way 6 days of the week. It keeps other things moving for me .....down the GI! Sorry TMI, but's it true! :D
 
I'm in the "me too" category as well....I'm 62 and while it's very little, if any, higher impact for me, I do what I can
Do and just try to keep moving....it's all good! I so appreciate any and all the modifications that Cathe shows in
The more recent releases to help keep us "low impacters" in the workouts....
 
Count me in as far as the "me too" category goes! I'm 46 and can't do anything high impact anymore... like tslop49 I can't get into cardio but I try to do as many metabolic workouts as I can. I adore weight training so (like tslop49!) I tend to stick to those types of routines. I've only been doing Cathe DVDs for about a year but I also have noticed that I become drained, sore, tired and always hungry in recent months. Workout Blender has been really helpful in that I can create routines that I can handle/enjoy. Hope this helps a little! :)
 
I'm 67 and still push myself too hard, but am now realizing I need to slow it down more often. We do this for our health, but if it is making us tired and unable to do other things due to lack of energy, it doesn't make sense. It's hard to give up intensity and I fear I will lose my tone etc., but.....
I see it in my face too. It really shows when I'm tired and stressed from too much or too hard an exercise. So, if we do this to stay young looking, it doesn't help if it is too much.
 
tslop49 said:
I find myself taking more time between heavy sets and 0 high impact! I will be 68 soon and no jumping around for me. I love the lifting but just can't get into cardio. I am trying to keep my weight up by building muscle and cardio seems counterproductive!! My story and I'm sticking to it! Lol
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I hear ya. I feel like, more and more, cardio is a waste of time. Why am I doing this? It just makes me tired and hungry. I do walk my dog every morning. Lifting is still good, just going lighter and shorter, avoiding all the soreness.
 
Gypsymom. I always feel guilty about not incorporating more cardio into my w/os, but I am able to get a pretty good increase in my HR by lifting only and I have more trouble keeping my weight up than I did when I was younger. I think sometimes our bodies know instinctively what is best for us and it may vary by our ages. I agree that is hard not to try to "put the hammer down" every w/o and sometimes when you feel like "end of life" is eminent, you wonder if you are making smart choices. I still want to go as heavy as I can and hope I maintain that attitude until I am "outta here", but some respect for time is probably wise. It is pretty obvious that whatever you have been doing has really worked for you. Congratulations on the hard work!
gypsymom said:
I hear ya. I feel like, more and more, cardio is a waste of time. Why am I doing this? It just makes me tired and hungry. I do walk my dog every morning. Lifting is still good, just going lighter and shorter, avoiding all the soreness.
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When I was younger, I looked great when I was very lean. I just "celebrated" my 65th birthday in March. Now, when I get very lean, my face can look very haggard. There is now a balancing point, where I can be lean, but not too lean. Years ago, my Mother told me, that when you are older, you choose between your face, and your butt. Too lean, you can have a nice butt, but, your face can look very "tired." A little more fat, and your face is great, but, your butt, not so much. Therein lies the dilemna. WTH!!!! And, while aesthetics aren't everything, it's nice to see some great muscle.
It's very hard to give up the intensity.
 
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desertambrosia said:
When I was younger, I looked great when I was very lean. I just "celebrated" my 65th birthday in March. Now, when I get very lean, my face can look very haggard. There is now a balancing point, where I can be lean, but not too lean. Years ago, my Mother told me, that when you are older, you choose between your face, and your butt. Too lean, you can have a nice butt, but, your face can look very "tired." A little more fat, and your face is great, but, your butt, not so much. Therein lies the dilemna. WTH!!!!
It's very hard to give up the intensity.
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Karen, I get really thin in the face too! I had patients before I sold my practice ask my wife and assistants if I was sick or had some terminal illness! When I put on 30# people would say wow, you look good! (couldn't see under the shirt I guess). I still want to reduce body fat but don't want to look terminal! The good news is everyday I can grab a barbell is a blessing and skinny face or no I'm still PRESENT!
 
~Elsie said:
Well, I am 38, although I have autoimmune disease, so I feel in your 'Me too' category!! :)
I also have been adhering to the work-out-smarter approach. My endo has ordered nothing high intensity for more than 22/23 minutes. In addition to that, I am doing just shorter workouts in general.
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Hi Elsie, do you mind me asking what kind of autoimmune disease you have? I'm don't have a diagnosis yet but am getting tested. I've been experiencing serious fatigue myself... Also, if I remember correctly, you were a Millionaire Hoy and Fit Body by Julia fan in the past -- have you stopped doing their workouts due to their high intensity?
 
gypsymom said:
Even steady state cardio leaves me drained. Do you (or anyone) have any recommendations about how to handle this situation? Kind of a weird question I know, but I am open to all thoughts and suggestions (or even a "me, too!"). Thanks - Jeanne
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There could various reasons you are feeling drained. overtraining, hormones imbalances etc....
I suggest a check up ---> Blood test and a full consultation with your doctor. iron deficiency can cause feeling drained and fatigued too.:)
ATB
 
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thaispice said:
Hi Elsie, do you mind me asking what kind of autoimmune disease you have? I'm don't have a diagnosis yet but am getting tested. I've been experiencing serious fatigue myself... Also, if I remember correctly, you were a Millionaire Hoy and Fit Body by Julia fan in the past -- have you stopped doing their workouts due to their high intensity?
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Hi thaispice, I have had "autoimmune hormone and enzyme, blood etc. panel levels" since last June (with no change) without a definite diagnosis. Just "autoimmune condition".Also, severe Vitamin D deficiency that has not been responding to diet, before 2:30 pm sunshine or supplementation. Autoimmune disease is a vast spanning spectrum as your Dr. will perhaps explain to you. I am in the process of having more tests done & the endocrinologist is leaning towards Hashimoto's. I am hoping for this to be honest, as it is quite manageable. Although tx may not change some of the hormone changes I am having.
I actually slowed down on Millionaire last Winter-Spring cause it did burn me out and I became too thin (pre hormone testing etc.). I do like
his w-o's still though and do the shorter ones from time to time for something different. Yes, Fit Body by Julia's duration is too long for me. Both endo's I have seen has agreed that high intensity ought to be brief. I got differing opinions on lifting weights though. I do sometimes REALLY enjoy long/er weights sessions!! But I am trying to get back to more frequent pilates, now. One of the two endos who is seeing to me is an over 50 woman herself & recommends women over 50 opt for cardio that is only moderate in intensity. She is not a fan of HiiT, but of mixed with some high if it suits you.
I wish you the best in your finding out what is going on and that you get a great endo! (In Canada, it is very, very tough to get to see specialists and then to keep one as they seem to move around). Kindly update me on how it goes for you. Experiencing serious exhaustion like that can lead to and/or contribute to depression and I hope that does not happen in your case. It's a terrible combo I can tell you that!! Accomplishing the basics in my life currently is such a chore.


.......Oh I can really relate to the getting gaunt in the face when I'm tired. I have always been this way, though. lol. I think that is why we see now endurance athletes opting for calcium fillers etc. in their faces. I don't think I need the upkeep of that type of thing though!!
 
Hi all,

As I get older (52 now) I find I need more stretching. I stretch two times a day (after I get up and before bed). It's been a nice transition for waking up and going to sleep. My body doesn't like heavy lifting anymore. I do more circuits and metabolic workouts. I can't do push ups any more-my shoulder just can't take it. I just sub an arm exercise or do a plank hold during the move.

I feel like my mental state is all over the place. One think that bothers me now is feeling like I HAVE to do something. I'm trying to do what I WANT to do and what makes me feel good. Gypsymom, I am tired of feeling tired, too and take more days off. Looking back at the workout manager I am averaging 5 days a week-of mostly cardio and treading water in the pool.

Beth
 
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I also have Hashimoto's. before I was diagnosed, I couldn't understand why I was exhausted 24/7. After my thyroid was regulated with medication, It was a whole new world. My Hashimoto hit when I was going through menopause. I thought that was the reason for my exhaustion. I wish you well. It's exhausting being exhausted all the time!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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