Anybody NOT workout and read these boards...

naughtoj

naughtoj

Cathlete
Ok, c'mon, confess...there has to be SOME.....


I WAS a lifelong exerciser till about the last year. I have had so many difficulties in that time, trying too hard to figure out life and what it means. Needless to say, exercise got put on the back burner. It is like it is just not so important anymore (and I know deep down it is). As a last resort, I am going to sign up for aerobics and fitness center when I get into nursing school, thinking maybe it would be fun to take a aerobics class at the college. I have such a hard time doing Cathe on my own since I lost my workout partners!


Anyway.......anyone read these forums but just can't find the motivation to workout? Sometimes I wonder why I keep coming herex(
 
Because you know it's going to be a huge part of the inspiration that gets you back into consistant workouts! When you are ready, Janice and I feel confident you will be. :) You have many friends here, why give it up even if you haven't been a regular exerciser for awhile? I have had major consistancy issues since I lost running. I have been so off in my yoga practice for two months that the Saturday and Sunday morninng yoga classes I took gave me such DOMS I looked like a granny yesterday. I didn't workout last week at all. I was on the go and never fit it in or put it off until it was too late. I tend to be kinetic by nature so it never makes much difference to how I look but how I feel is definitely affected! So I vow this week will be different and it's time for a plan. :) Getting to yoga was just the beginning. I think signinng up for the aerobics and fitness center is a wonderful idea. One thing is certain when you lay off, Cathe's workouts become daunting! And, having done them, it's hard to start with lesser things or to do Cathe's stuff without the endurance level they require.. The lovely thing is this, biting the bullet and taking it back on in small increments, your previous fitness level returns quickly and your body never forgets the moves. The intensity comes back fast! What do you think it would take to inspire you to get back to where you were but a year ago? Are you ready? Trying to figure out life and what it means has taken you down this road. I wonder if getting back into a regualr exercise program might not help you with the questions you seek. I know I have lost my way a few times and returning here and to this has always been an important part of finding myself and my way again. What are you waiting for, Missy?
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver
 
Janice,

I think it's cause you love us :D and you know your just on an exercise break right now. You'll also agree that this place is not just about exercise, it's about all sorts of things that are near and dear to our hearts ;)
 
I have to agree with Bobbi here...in many respects.

First of all, a year isn't going to make a tremendous difference for a lifetime exerciser. Yes, you will have some gains to rebuild but you won't find it as difficult as the initial build. I had an injury that set me back about a year and I would say that it took me about 2 - 3 months to feel like me again. (I had to lose twenty pounds and get my strength back).

Secondly, perhaps right now the best thing that you can do is to begin your exercising again to help ease tension, focus your mind and answer your other life questions? During the difficult times, it can sometmies be so hard to motivate yourself to exercise, but afterwards, it is the best hour that you could have spent that day.

Third, coming here is great for you even when not exercising. Its a great support group and a great place for reminders on healthy eating and lifestyle.

Christine :)
 
Hi, Janice:

I just posted in another thread about my issues with consistency.... I have really been off my workouts for a good month and just started back regularly very recently. Like you, I also kept coming here although I didn't post because I felt like such a big fraud! But this is the only place I know where most everyone is supportive no matter what your fitness level. Not to mention... just into fitness and taking care of yourself. Most people in my life are like, "Oh, you haven't been working out, what is the big deal???" They just don't get that it IS a big deal, because it means I am not taking care of ME. I really struggled with self-esteem in my youth; the thought that I am not worth the time and effort because everything and everyone else in my life should take precedence is an easy road for me to travel...I don't want to get back on it.

Do you get FitTV? Because there are other instructors whose workouts may seem less daunting than some of Cathe's. If you don't get FitTV, maybe you can look around Blockbuster or wherever you rent movies to see if anything catches your eye. Or just go for a walk! I remember reading Susan Powter's first book a long time ago... she said she started her fitness journey by walking around the block every night after dinner.

Anyway, this is long & sorry about that, but hang in there! You will find your groove again....

Take care,
Marie
 
Hey Janice

I went through a phase where I decided to eat intuitively (rather than clean) and put exercise away in order to overcome my food and exercise obsession. I still came here though.

I am back to a more consistent exercise programme but it has taken me a while to get here. I am also getting back to healthy eating without being too fanatical about it which is good for me. I also do things other than Cathe to maintain balance. I take yoga and karate classes. An intense exercise programme and dieting all the time was not working for me. I was using it to not face my real issues and I had to take time out to fix that. I remember feeling very anxious during that entire time. I am glad I did it though. We all have to take time to do the things that are really important to us.

I am sure that you will get back into the groove when you are ready. All the best with nursing school.
 
Janice, I'm not working out TODAY -- didn't work out yesterday either -- I'm simply too tired. And here I am. Does that count?:)

Around this time last year, I had to slow down on my workouts. My son was having behavioral problems and it took a long time before we figured out what it was about and what the best course of action was for him. By some miracle, and because I knew intuitively that working out would save my sanity, I continued exercising, but only for maintenance. Last October, I quit for a whole month as therapy literally had to rearrange the way we lived. I only got back into it full force around February, when the HC's came out, and there are still days when it's tough to get a workout in. I'm lucky because I have a hubby who helps me hang on to my sanity by taking over sometime in the evening, when I really need a break.

You come here because you feel at home here. I stopped posting here, too, last year, but I'd lurk late at night. I didn't want to join in the conversations but a lot of posts helped motivate me to keep doing my workouts, even though a lot of them were condensed versions of what I used to do.

I know that you'll get back to it eventually. It will come when other things in your life get better. Best of luck with nursing school. Know that I'm rooting for you. You're in my thoughts.:)

Pinky
 
I can confess that i dont workout as much as most of the people here. Most people on here are like this is my plan and post exercise for everyday with an occasional rest day. I take classes at my gym so I really only regularly go on sat and sundays. I find it very difficult to get motivated to work out by myself at home to a tape, so I usually only end up doing Cathe if a class was cancelled. I will plan to do some Cathe but by the time I get home from work at 6, I have somehow talked myself out of it. I do plan on running again. I used to do it at like 5 or 5:30 in the morning before I went to work so it dint even feel like I was doin anything since I was half asleep still. Now I can barely drag my but out of bed in time for work.
 
You keep coming here because it is such a positive place to be, with such positive woman!!! You still ARE a lifelong exerciser. You just took a break, and that's okay. I think maybe, just maybe, you do miss it and that may be part of why you continue to come here. I'd start with doing the exercises that you loved the MOST. I love Step, and that motivates me and doesn't feel like exercising. I just know once you get started again, the endorphins will kick right back in for you!!!

Good luck with nursing school...that is a wonderful thing. GO to those aerobics classes like you plan. You'll be fine!! I'm sure of it.:)
 
Hi Janice,

If you don't mind my asking...and if you do, please forgive me and you certainly do not have to answer..but were you feeling depressed when you has so many difficulites last year? I know when depression strikes, they say that the very things that you loved don't seem to interest you. Just wondering...trying to help.

Lisa:)
 
Hello Janice:

I can totally relate. Last July my always healthy son was diagnosed with some pretty serious life threatening stuff. I was unable to put anything into working out and felt guilty when I did. I needed to be with him. I'm slowing coming back and this forum is helping alot. Go easy on yourself - do the workouts you enjoy and if you need to stop, stop.

Like folks said 1 year off in the scheme of things isnt a big deal and you WILL come back

Best to you
 
Hi, Janice! Yes, I'm not exercising regularly, though I read here almost every day. Ironically, it was starting nursing school last fall that threw my exercise routine off -- ironic, because sticking with my well-established habits would certainly have been the best thing for me during that first year, mentally as well as physically! I've spent some time being disappointed that I let that happen, and that I have gained some weight because of it. I'm out of school and "off" for the summer now, and my goal has been to get back into regular exercise so I can recreate a habit that I'll stick with when school begins again. Unfortunately, I'm still in the "planning" stage, but I'm feeling more ready every day...and I read here because there is always excellent support and motivation!

I think your idea of doing some kind of fitness activity regularly at school is great(take advantage of those campus resources)! It will be a great antidote to the stress of nursing school.

Allison
 
Janice, I used to participate in these forums in a time that I wasn't exercising regularly. As much as I wanted, I just simply couldn't do it on a regular basis. If I got up at 5:eek:o am to do my workout so did my youngest daughter and cry and disturb until I was paying total attention to her. A few months ago she started sleeping until late and guess what...I started working out on a regular basis again. Now she is very cooperative and if she wakes up while I'm doing my workout she will get a pillow and a blanket and continue sleeping in the sofa, while I do my workout in the living room.
You see, there are people that claim to be very positive, but they judge others and take everything as an excuse because "everything is posible". But guess what...sometimes there are valid excuses. I'm not saying that being positive is bad, but...what could be more positive than being non-judmental and encouraging. Well, even if you lack motivation right now, don't feel bad about that. As long as you are determined to do it, the motivation will come soon. And I think signing in that aerobic class is a smart move and a measure you are taking. Maybe later on you find yourself doing Cathe's workouts
beside taking the class... ;)

Edited to clarify...When I talk about those people that claim to be positive, I am refering to people I have known in my life, NOT to anyone in these forums... Just in case. I found all of you very understanding and encouraging.


Well, I hope everything I said have been for good, and if something I said causes any discomfort in your mind, then don't mind me at all.;-)

Mariela
 
Janice, You're not alone.

I started exercising pretty religiously about 5 years ago and lost a decent amount of weight. I have now been within 5 lbs of my goal weight of 112 on three separate occassions, but each time I get that close, I have a major life upheaval and stop exercising for awhile. I lost a pregnancy in January so for the time I was pregnant (Nov-Jan) I didn't exercise due to exhaustion and pretty massive morning sickness. It took a few weeks after losing the pregnancy to get started again, but once I did I threw myself wholeheartedly into it. Then, back in April, I thought I was pregnant again and the stress of that situation (hoping and waiting) made me stop exercising and I gained about 7 pounds due to inactivity and stress eating. Well, I started working out hard again this month and I'm now around 120.

My point is (after all that rambling) that I read the forums every day even when I wasn't participating. Just knowing there were other people out there achieving what I want to achieve is a strong motivator. There are still times I don't feel like working out and there are certainly other things in my life more important than exercise, but checking the forums helps keep me 'in touch' with a bunch of great ladies whether I'm working out myself or not.

So, keep reading, keep checking in, keep things in perspective and your motivation will come. IMHO it's tough to maintain motivation without other people and the people on these forums provide plenty of it.

Good luck with nursing school.

Lunacat
 
Thank you all....you are all really encouraging and it is nice to know I am not alone!

I have been struggling with depression and taking medicine for it. I really am not sure if it is helping yet, I am on a very low dose and have not been back to my PCP yet for a check up. I just miss the way I used to feel...seemed so carefree and focused on working out and feeling good and HAVING FUN and now everything and every minute just seems like WORK WORK WORK BLAH BLAH BLAH, you know? I want to feel the way I once did. I long to once again have the enthusiasm I see on these boards but I wonder if it will ever come back to me?? I feel like a big dope too because I know so many people have more difficult lives than I do. I hope I can improve on my life-coping skills through therapy when hubby's insurance kicks in. I need to learn now to see things differently and in a more positive light!

I am going to take advantage of the "campus resources" as far as aerobics goes. Honestly though, I am hoping just to survive. Nursing school really could not have come at a more inopportune time for me mentally but it is now or never and I really hope I have it in me to survive it. I don't want to fail. Meds don't fail me now!!!:eek: LOL!!!

A special thank you to each and every one of you that took the time to respond to my post. Bobbi...you're the greatest! We have to do that hike oneday!! :)


Oh...edited to add that I also GOT FIT TV TODAY!!! Yep. Hubby called me yesterday to say, "Guess who I am watching on TV right now??" I said, "Who" and he said "Cathe!!!". Must be new on my cable network cuz we never had it before. I am somewhat psyched about that! Maybe I'll try out Gilad or something!
 
Janice,

When the medicine "kicks in" - it's subtle, but you'll know it. In my experience, you wake up one day and slowly realize things don't suck so bad anymore. Which then makes you really happy because you realize you made it. If you're on an SSRI (prozac, lexapro, zoloft, paxil) it typically takes at least 4 weeks before you start feeling better, so sometimes it takes a lot of patience. If it's been longer than that for you, definitely follow up with your PCP and adjust the dose. If you feel like he/she isn't being effective, try and find a good psychiatrist. They're better at addressing your specific needs and assessing the appropriate meds. PCPs tend to be a little more conservative and typically prescribe the antidepressant du jour at the lowest dose. I think right now Lexapro is all the rage, but it made me feel like a walking zombie (works well for most people though with very few side effects).

And for what it's worth, in my experience when you're battling depression and all of its confusion, working out is the last thing you want to do. Heck, for me getting the mail seems like climbing a mountain. But I know that when I'm feeling depressed, yet force myself to work out - it makes me feel like a million bucks again. At least for a little while (endorphins!!). But- I say that with the caveat that you should absolutely not be too hard on yourself if you don't work out. You'll break through this eventually, and when you do you'll be back in the saddle before you know it.

I've dealt with depression off and on for about 15 years. It seems to come out of nowhere, but when it's gone you can hardly remember what it was like to feel depressed.

I tend to seek solace in books to help get me through the tough times, and I've found some good ones that help with depression - from more spiritual approaches to dealing with it to "How to be your own Therapist" to anecdotal stories of others who've dealt with depression. If you want recommendations, PM me and I'll send you a list of the ones I find most helpful.

Hang in there!! This won't last forever.

Joni
 
I'm a student (going into 2nd year of college) and I go through periods of being a "summer" exerciser..exercising dutifully in the summer only to completely stop in the fall.

This summer I am exercising but I'm trying to establish a routine that I know I will continue. I don't have the space/privacy to do Cathe videos in the fall and I'm not yet at an advanced level anyways. So even though I'm doing a different program, I still find Catheites to be very motivating and informative!! :)
 
Try not to be so hard on yourself, Janice. You've got a lot on your plate! I think it's very telling that you still frequent these boards, even though you haven't exercised in a while. I have no doubt that when things settle down a bit for you, you'll be working out again, because it's obvious that exercise has always been such an integral part of your life.
 
Janice,I think you should get The "WalkAway The Pounds" By Leslie Sansone....Its not hard ,a great way to get started again with healthier habits. It will help with your depression too . Before you know it you'll be craving something more !!Her walks are 15 minutes -1 hour ,and the ladies in it are so nice.. good luck.:) :) :)
 
Hi Janice,

Depression is something I know a lot about. My DH suffers from it and takes medication. We have found that he does much better when he's exercising. He runs. If he's injured and can't run, even with the medication, he starts getting depressed again. I know that the last thing a depressed person wants to do is get off the couch or out of bed and exercise, but for some (maybe most) people, it's the best thing they can do for themselves.

So, hang in there! Start slowly, do what you can, and don't beat yourself up if you can't workout as much as you'd like. It sounds like you are on the right path!

FitDoggie




"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more."
 
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