Do you ever feel like just throwing in the towel?

Laura - I posted this yesterday in the haters check-in... thought maybe it would give you a little inspiration, sometimes I have to remind myself too why I bust my butt all the time to w/o... yesterday was one of those days but wow, did I feel great when I was done!

>>>>Okay, I totally needed a workout like the one I had tonight to make myself remember why I bust my butt to workout like I do. I have had a crappy week... okay, it could be worse, business is good & when you work on commission that is always a good thing but in the mortgage business busy also means STRESSFULL!

Anyway, when I got home all I really wanted to do is curl up on the coach with a bunch of junk food and eat. Luckily for me, I don't ever buy junk food & I would never forgive myself if I didn't work out so like always I got my workout clothes on & headed downstairs.

Fast forward till now, Powerstrike 1 done, 200 jumping jacks done, 30 min. hips, thigs, butt done, swept the house done, and showered!

AND I FEEL WONDERFUL! This is why I work out... okay enough about me.<<<<
 
Dear Laura,
Over the years you have gained incredible fitness. Why not take that fitness and try something completely different? A sport. Dancing. You name it. You have no doubt invested years and years to have your health and fitness. So, do something amazing with it! Shoot, who knows what you will discover along the way, or whom. You deserve the break and you are certainly in shape for anything! ;) deb
 
Yah, yah, and all that. I know exactly what you mean, Laura. I've already posted that I'm doing this high intensity interval thing via Mackie Shilstone in New Orleans where I cranked WAY down in week one to an almost unbearably easy level of working out. As the days and weeks progress the intensity builds and the challenge starts to present itself. Very different from beating myself up 1 1/2 - 2 hours a day like before. This is a sane increase and I feel like I am actually building on a foundation. Wow. And I have been a competitive athlete for over 30 years in all sorts of sports. This was my answer to just throwing in the towel: putting a meaningful structure to it all. This has stripped it down and started to rebuild. You might think about it. It will give you a whole new perspective.
 
I have decided that exercise is important, but there are times when other things are more important.
I don't beat myself up for missing a day anymore, or being sick now...
I don't do 10 hrs a week though. No time for it.
I do 5-8 with the long days...
I don't by al means want to give it up alltogether...
:)
Just take a breath and evalulate your life.. Do you like it how it is? If not tweak it...
 
I know how you feel Laura. I've thought about the exact same thing. Sometimes I want to give it all up but it doesn't last very long. I think about what would happen to my body. I think about how much I would miss it. I think about how grumpy I'd become. I have, however, given serious thought to doing a rotation once in a while that doesn't require exercise 6 days per week! Maybe a 4 day a week rotation to give the ol' body a break! :) The question is...could I actually survive it or would I go bonkers with THREE rest days each week!?!? :7 }( :p
 
I have worked out for 10+ hours a week for the past seven years or so. And there have been times I felt like giving it up. (In fact, I had to give it up much of last year due to an injury.) And whenever I feel that way, I let myself give it up for a little while. I figure it is my mind/body actually telling me something. And, for me, usually after about a week (maybe two) of doing nothing, I just need to get back to working out because I simply love doing it so much. Taking a break reminds me of how important exercise is to me--not just in how I look but in how I feel throughout the day simply because I've worked out--despite how much time and energy it takes. In other words, taking time off reminds me of the real reasons I do what I do.
 
It is not about your age. You have real stress in your life. Whether you're 21 or 61. And I certainly know the strains of selling a home, as I am doing the same thing. I hate it too. It's so hard.

I'm not sure if you remember a while ago I hurt my back, and have not been able to exercise regularly.

But guess what? It turns out that I was in overtrain mode. When I stepped back off working out so often and started to eat clean, "Six week body makeover" in the last two months I have lost 15 lbs. I'm just wondering if there's something to what everyone else is saying, there is a such thing as too much exercise. I do pilates and walk at a good pace every other day. So yah, try it, it will do you wonders. I was surprised:) I have energy to do things on the days I don't exercise that I normally wouldn't have time to do. And I am feeling alot better. I was pushing when I should of been resting. Listen to your body. Please email me. I wouldn't mind sharing selling house techniques;)




Carrie

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar072/slider-but5/lb/209/145/194.0/.png[/image][/link]

http://www.picturetrail.com/uid6743693"
 
With all that exercising, you make better choices, can handle stress better, you are fit, healthy and a fantastic person. What more do you want for pete sake? Just think of what you could have been without the exercises. Not good, I guarantee it.

We always change through our lives, nothing stays the same. I think you are a wonderful caring person and love to help people get their lives back into shape. As for me, you've given me wonderful tips in life. And as far as I can see, you've helped many people on this forum as well with your sense of humor, intelligence, skills and talent.

If you can be better than what you are today, then go for it, but you are there now girl. Be proud! I think you are the type of person that if you are not satisfied in life you would change that to make it more so. To me, I think you like change. Am I wrong? I don't think so, your eyes are wide open. You only get that way from experience.

There's a lot on your plate at one time right now, but that's not always going to be happening to you. It will be different and more normal, once again soon. Hang in there kiddo, you'll be fine. Besides you have all of us to comfort you and back you up. Vent if need be, we are all here for you.

Janie

The idea is to die young as late as possible.

http://www.picturetrail.com/janiejoey
 
LauraMax, I didn't have a chance to read everyone's responses so forgive me if this has been said already. Maybe you should cut your workouts down to an hour. Usually anything over an hour is overkill anyways and could lead to overtraining and no results. I'm sure you know all this, though.

I, for one, find you as a great inspiration to all of us! You rock, girlfriend!
 
Wow. This thread is wonderful.

Laura, I've been feeling the exact same way. I don't work out as much as you do... let's see. Maybe 7-8 hrs a week, average. I'm 38, almost 39. I find myself wishing I could be like "everybody else" who just go home after work and veg out.

I've also had to make a lot of adjustments and modifications to my workouts in the past year due to repeated injuries. That, combined with a tight schedule, is what makes me wonder about ... quittting. Gasp!

Anyhow, reading all these responses has been really helpful for me. I hope they've helped you too!

Like you, I'll keep on exercising. I know I'd be miserable if I quit. BUT: take it from someone who's been forced to lighten up on the workouts. There are ways to change, modify, and still keep the same level of fitness. It's been a challenge, and one I've succeeded at.

So... I don't guess I need to give any more advice. You've got lots of good stuff here already. I know you'll find your own way through.

And thank you ladies, all of you, for your wonderful tips, advice, etc., and your inspiration!
 
Laura~
Since you're under so much stress right now, you might consider doing some pampering-type things for yourself - maybe a regular massage to help relax your mind AND treat your muscles well after those tough workouts.

Yeah, it's true - when you're committed to working out, it DOES suck up a lot of time, but it is *so* well worth it. I think it enhances all the other areas of your life and makes you a better person than you'd be without it. More alert, more energetic, more balanced.

I had a years-long hiatus from exercise until last January, and I can tell you that I suffered for it. First, it was an injury which made me scale back my workouts, and then it was just that life became so crazy-busy (I returned to school PT to obtain my teaching certification) that I fell out of working out altogether. It didn't get any easier once I started teaching - I was completely consumed by my job, and with poor habits, I managed to gain 10 lbs. a year for five years. I finally snapped when I realized how tired I was all the time and how I couldn't physically *do* all the things I used to enjoy -- not to mention how gross I looked when I saw myself in the mirror, or even worse, a photograph. Now I am 30 lbs. lighter, and there is a tremendous difference in my appearance, energy level, and mood. I look back now and can't believe that I let myself slip that way. I *know* that being fit again improves the quality of my life in all respects. And it certainly helps me cope with the stress my job and grad school bring. Though my career is still a high priority for me, it no longer supercedes LIFE or my own health. I think, like anything else, fitness has be to balanced with the other things in life that are important to you. So if you are feeling like you are neglecting those other areas, then maybe cutting back right now makes sense.

-Cathy :)

>But I just started thinking about all the hours & did a little
>math--10 hours a week for 18 years is about 10,000 hours!
>What else could I have done with that time? Are there other
>things I could have accomplished or other ways I could have
>improved myself? Would I be a different person? More
>education? Higher salary? More friends or even an actual
>boyfriend?
>
>Sometimes I want to give it all up & just do pilates & yoga a
>couple times a week. I'm tired. Someone give me some
>encouragement. :-(
 
10 hours seems like a lot. You can be healthy doing less. You look fanatastic...but is it really necessary to look THAT buff? I exercise probably about 8 (including my tae kwon do classes). Yeah...you definitely look better than I do...but I tend to think there's more to life than exercise.

But don't give it up for pilates or yoga. Yoga is great, but I wouldn't do it in place of an intense cardio or weight workout. And pilates? Ugh...I can't be bothered with that one. Yoga is good for the soul.

Why don't you back off a little bit and see how it affects you? Do only an hour a day.
 
LOL this thread is still going. And it's not just me, that makes me feel better.

OK so my routine is at least 10 hours a week but much of that is split up (like, I'll do an hour of cardio in the morning & 1.5 hrs of lifting at night, or no lifting one day & 30 minutes of core--this is like my off day--or cardio in the morning & no lifting....you get the picture). So, to try to pare it back would take an entire re-structuring of my routine which took me years to get on track, especially the lifting.

Maybe I'm looking for excuses not to change it, or maybe I need to just reduce the cardio b/c that, for me anyway, is what takes the most out of me.

I must admit that although I've exercised strenuously every day since last Wed, after getting much rest over the w/e I am feeling a lot better (I think I slept almost all day yesterday!). Also I'm trying the new gym tomorrow so maybe that'll give me a little boost. A gym with no bratty 21 YO steroid pumped, foul mouthed, machine hogging boys! I am excited! :)

ETA: Donna, no, it probably isn't necessary to always look that buff. In fact, the trainer at my gym who keeps pressuring me to compete told me I should relax every couple of months & not even diet--he said when he's not competing he considers himself on "vacation," eats whatever he wants & doesn't train nearly as hard. Of course he's a guy & guys don't retain body fat the way women do, so who knows. x(
 
Wow!! Everyone has something to add.

In my opinion you need a change something different. I can't imagine that you continue to get the same results exercising at the same "full out" intensity all the time. In my opinion if you talked to a trainer they would probably be able to work with you on a training program that got you the same results with less hours.

I used to be exercise like that but honestly it caused me to lose my love of doing it and my body hurt all the time. Once I got a more realistic exercise program I just felt better and didn't feel stressed about about missing a work out. Am in as good shape as I could be...NOPE. Am I as thin as I want to be...NOPE. But I feel great, rest well, my feet don't hurt any more and I can now go on vacation to hotels without gyms in them.

Too much of a good thing is still too much.



KIM
 
Kim, I exercise about 10 hours a week, in the same fashion as Laura, split routines. And example, today I hit the pool for an hour before work, and then upper body after work. I usually have 2 rests days in a week, and will do a focused routine for about 4-6 weeks. Then I rest for about 4 days, and the rest is full out rest, the max I do is stretching. This 4 days is used to focus on the next type of training I want to do with weights. I have been doing this for a long, long time and don't feel burned out. So I think it is possible to do the intensity and stay fit and looking good for a long time. I think what saves me is the rest days, and the breaks. I also do not feel at all guilty for taking a weeks vacation or missing a work-out on a hectic week, or a week that physically I am off. I know that I will not lose fitness in one week. I also have not even had a sniffle in 4 years, so something must be working.

Edited to add, in case you wonder how old, I will be 46 this summer, and I have been working out hard with cardio since age 12, and added weights at age 20. My breaks in training have been two babies, one a c-section, and a back problem about 4 years ago caused by falling off a swim starting block.
 
>LOL this thread is still going. And it's not just me, that
>makes me feel better.
>
>

THANK GOD this thread is here. I am SO in this mode and feeling defeated right now :(
 
Hey, you're in the middle of a move! I can't believe you're still even able to stick to your routine, moving can be so all consuming. Did you know it is literally THE most stressful experience a person can go through in their life? Really, I saw it on the news.....:p

Anyway Christine, if anyone deserves a rest week it's you. Take some time to get settled into your new place, then get back to your routine.
 
>Hey, you're in the middle of a move! I can't believe you're
>still even able to stick to your routine, moving can be so all
>consuming. Did you know it is literally THE most stressful
>experience a person can go through in their life? Really, I
>saw it on the news.....:p
>
>Anyway Christine, if anyone deserves a rest week it's you.
>Take some time to get settled into your new place, then get
>back to your routine.

I agree, don't force it when you are already in the middle of high stress. Do some easier exercise for stress relief though. Really, we don't lose the fitness all that fast, and what we lose comes back fairly well once you get back to it.

When I injured my back falling off the block, it was the end of July. I was incapacitated for about 2 weeks, then used the pool to start easy stretches while having treatments for the back and numbness in my leg. By mid-September, I was doing easy laps, and some light weight lifting. By the end of October, I was able to compete in a meet. November I was back to my old ways and I watch my back carefully and do lots of preventive care, but have not had problems since.

Gotta say, the rest days are crucial, and the extended rest every 6 weeks or so are crucial as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top