Burnt out on Cathe workouts and weight lifting

eminenz2

eminenz2

Cathlete
So it's 9:00 p.m. and I've been putting off my workout all day. I've been doing this for the past few weeks - skipping workouts and making excuses. This is happening more often these days.

Lifting weights is hard and no fun anymore. The payoff is minimal lately. I never seem to get any stronger and I'm tired of workouts that last more than 60 minutes, which most Cathe workouts seem to do. But if I'm not busting my a$$ exercising at least 60 - 70 minutes per day, I feel like I'm cheating.

Thanks for letting me kvetch! Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow?

Susan L.G.
 
i have certainly felt that way before. it has helped alot doing different instructors like p90x,amy bento,and jari love

laura
 
Hi,

Maybe you are overtraining. Try taking a break or making a change. My motto is, if you've been doing something for a while and it's not working you need to change things up and or regroup.

Tracy
 
I could have written this post a week ago. I have felt the same way too. You know what I did? Took a vacation from the weights. Did only cardio, walked, pulled out workouts I never usually do because maybe they didn't seem "hard enough' or whatever. Take an active rest week. Then see how you feel. I promise it helps.:)
 
This same thing happens to me sometimes. I decide that my body and brain have been working hard and that I'm going to give them a present: a week off, walking the dogs of course, but no workouts that I don't really, really want to do. Usually, by the end of the week, I find something I DO want to do.

I got burned out on weights recently, too, so after my little break I re-discovered circuits and kickboxing.

Also, I just made my first non-Cathe video purchases (thanks, enablers!!), and bought Tracey Staehle's Cardio Sweatfest, Circuit Zone and Core Blast. Not as high-quality as Cathe's productions, and there are a few things I don't like about them, but somehow the challenge of new choreography/moves and a different approach "tricks" me into losing track of time and enjoying a workout again.


Dee
 
The newest science proves you don't need to exercise that long for results....phew! Why don't you try Jillian's Shred? I'm pretty strong cardio and strength wise, and even level one, when I put full effort into it, I was at 85 percent max heart rate....and felt it the next day...would get you done in 25 minutes and you will have done something and not feel guilty!
 
I completely agree with trying other instructors and other ways of working out (personally, I would get burnt out pretty quickly doing only one instructor). Something more functionally fitness oriented (like Tracey Staehle's new Circuit Zone) or shorter (like Kelly Coffey-Meyer's 30-minute workouts) or more circuit based (like some P90X or P90Masters or P90X+ workouts) or a new type of working out (kettlebells) could renew your enthusiasm. Even taking things down a notch or two for a week or so (do some less advanced, but fun, workouts) can help your body and mind recover.

Before you know it, you may be eager to get back to your Cathe workouts (maybe by the time STS rolls around?)

(I would hazard a guess that one reason for your lack of payoff lately is that your body is very used to Cathe's type of training. Try something new---I HIGHLY recommend workouts set up in circuit fashion, like P90X, which I find to be very time-efficient and effective, and also less boring that straight-set workouts).
 
Another thing you could do is just design your own workouts and watch a movie or listen to music while you do it. For the past 6 months or so I've been doing splits. I'll choose, say legs/chest/biceps for one day. I'll come up with 3 sets of 3 exercises (or 2 sets or 3 if I'm tired) and alternate the exercise within the set (like one set of squats, one set of alternating chest press with hand weights and one set of seated curls, and then repeat 3 times - I'll then move on to the next set - which has 3 different exercises). I like it because I can choose the exercises myself. After my weight workout, I've been trying to make a point of going for a 30 - 40 minute brisk walk to add a little calorie burn, get some vitamin D, and relax in the nice weather.

Just a thought! :)
Carolyn
 
Definately change it up. Change up instructors, work outs, and know that you are NOT beholden to doing 60 min or more work outs. You can do 30 minutes and STILL get a good work out. It just depends on how intense it is.

I love Cathe but if I had basically done nothing but her work outs since I discovered her 3.5 years ago I would be marjorly burnt out by now and would definately be making excuses not to do it too. :eek:
 
> I'll choose, say
>legs/chest/biceps for one day. I'll come up with 3 sets of 3
>exercises (or 2 sets or 3 if I'm tired) and alternate the
>exercise within the set (like one set of squats, one set of
>alternating chest press with hand weights and one set of
>seated curls, and then repeat 3 times - I'll then move on to
>the next set - which has 3 different exercises).

Can you make a workout DVD? LOL!
I really like that kind of 'circuit' set-up to weight workouts.
 
If you aren't able to purchase new workouts, you could rent them locally or get them from the library.

Also, if it is only the length of time you are spending, how about using the time savers?

Am currently doing NROL4W and am enjoying it. Uses compound lifting exercises and is quite a quick but intense workout.

Also took a week off a month ago and it helped;)
 
I had the same experience and tried Ellen Barrett's Studio Series--Fat Burning Fusion, Slim Sculpt, and Yogini. It was just what I needed. I didn't want to lift and even more I didn't want to see my step. Longer walks with my dog and Ellen workouts and I started to miss Cathe--still not so sure about my step tho. I just got a couple of Leslie Sansone's.
 
These are great suggestions! I'm printing out the whole thread so I can read it again more carefully later!

Thanks, Cathletes!

Susan L.G.
 
What I can't believe is that people are only suggesting that you swap one fitness instructor for another. The venue, format and perspective on exercise will remain the same.

The weather is getting better so.......take it outside.

To really change things up what you might need is another perspective on working out altogether. Even if you swap to another instructor, you will still have the same viewpoint: working out for working out's sake. I suffer from the same problem as you: after months of lifting I get bored because the only objective has become to lift ore, lift more heavily, again, lifting for lifting's sake.

How about you develop stamina, strength and flexibility for other reasons? Swim, run, bike, play tennis, practice volleyball, do a sport, do something that gets you outside and together with other people. Do yoga so that you can be a better runner. Lift so you can contribute more to volleyball practice. Improve your cardiovascular endurance so you can bike further and faster.

Most athletes work on their endurance and strength in order to be better at their sport, not just so they can do Drill Max with greater ease next time.

A new reason to work out, that's what you need.

Clare
 
When I first discovered Cathe, I went full speed ahead and did month after month of rotations.........then that was it and I burned out hard and fast. Not necessarily of lifting, but just of Cathe's intensity day in and day out and lack of variety.

I haven't done a strict Cathe rotation in a while (but I will when STS comes out). I find I'm much happier if I mix up intensity. I've been working out for 25 years plus....so I need lots of variety.

Might I suggest Kettlebells? They really seem to change things up ...especially in the weight lifting category. Totally different than traditional weights and you might be surprised the new found enthusiasm you find!

Also, try some Amy Bento, Tracey Staehle, Kelly Coffey Myer or Barry's Bootcamp and I'm sure you'll come out of a rut. Does it for me all the time.

For that matter, check out these really tough Action Hero workouts I've been doing off of Valerie Waters (Personal Trainer to the Stars) Blog. It takes a lot to get me sore and between these and Kettlebells, I'm having a blast and getting sore in places I never did.

www.valeriewaters.com

you'll need a set of Gliding Discs for the Action Hero workouts, but you'll need them anyway if you purchased STS!!! so get a jump start!
The mountain climbers with gliding discs and hands on med ball work your core REALLY well! Love that move!
 
Well, fellow enablers, I have purchased a couple of new videos! :7 I even treated myself to a bellydancing video (as per my other thread)- heehee!

I have been walking outside a lot lately. And I do ride my horse about 5x per week - even in the *!coldest!* winter. One of the reasons I work out is for riding. You've got to be fit to ride a fit horse. Since I don't let him cheat, I push myself not to cheat either.

However, lately I've just been a drag. The kids I teach have been a drag (I'm a music teacher K-5), and so I think I've been really hard on myself and letting the children's behavior get to me and taking it personally.

Thanks for the moral support!

Susan L.G.
 
Thanks! They really are three different personalities. The tortie is the mysterious, independent, and unattainable woman - an enigma. The tabby is a crotchety old lady with plenty of piss and vinegar in her and the yellow one, well, he is a rogue - a charming hoodlum. My mom calls him a delinquent. Heehee!

Susan L.G.
 
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