Do you ever feel like just throwing in the towel?

LauraMax

LauraMax

Cathlete
I've been exercising consistently an average of 10 hours a week for the last 18 years (that's right--my anniversary was this month! :) ).

I took an off week last week & of course I've done this before, but for some reason this one had a strange effect on me. Probably for the first time I realized how much exercise consumed my life & that I spent SO MUCH time doing it. Could be b/c work has been pretty stressful the last few months, as has the real estate situation (selling a house is such a PIA--the open houses, the strangers coming by all hours of the day & week, etc.), which has all been exhausting. And I guess age has something to do with it. At 39 I certainly don't have the stamina I had at 21.

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. :-(
 
Lauramax,

You are such an inspiration in your pictures.:7 I wish I had the definition you do. And you are an inspiration regarding exercise input and healthy eating. I would be :-( to think you would think of giving up the exercise "ship",

I suppose you would have much more time for other activities but none would give the great appearance and bright smile and glowing skin and wealth of knowledge.:)

The $$, friends, SO are just waiting to find you. Keep shining!:7
 
((LauraMax)) Do you think it might be possible, with everything else going on in your life, that you might be in an overtraining mode? So maybe there would be nothing wrong with giving yourself a smallish kind of break - say two weeks or even a month - and then come back and do whatever kind of workout makes you feel happy and good? I have been reading "The New Rules of Lifting" and they are pretty pragmatic about the need to cycle your level of fitness. You might want to pick it up to ease your mind about how easy it would be to come back near or at the same level, particularly since you're already in awesome shape.

Hope you feel better!

Marie
 
Wait--it sounds like you're considering two options: a) continue at 10 hours a week or b) go to 0 hours.

What about trying 5 hours for a while? Wouldn't that still dramatically open up your schedule?



Gisela
 
If you're feeling in a rut, why not shake things up a little bit? Take a rest day or two when you normally don't, or try something entirely different... like dance. IMO sometimes your body responds well to a little change. I think your muscles get used to doing the same kind of workouts over and over.

As far as if you'd be a "different" person if you hadn't devoted so much time to fitness? My only advice here... don't play the "what if" game. Live in the here and now.:)
 
This is all really great advice. The sad thing is I'm so afraid to change what I've been doing--like most of the girls on this forum I'm pretty OCD about my schedule & routine. If I went from 10 hours a week (and frankly it's usually more--about 12 or 13) to maybe 6 or 7 hours, would I start to undo what I've accomplished?

I like Marie's idea of taking maybe 2-4 weeks off, but that scares me too. What if I lose the strength I've worked so hard to build? What if I gain weight?

Maybe I can try 2 weeks of just cardio, circuit & pilates & see what happens. Maybe I'm just in a funk & it'll pass.

Oh & thanks for the well wishes--I'm really actually feeling good about my life--I feel like there are some great things waiting for me just over the horizon. I think physically I just need a break.
 
>Wait--it sounds like you're considering two options: a)
>continue at 10 hours a week or b) go to 0 hours.
>
>What about trying 5 hours for a while? Wouldn't that still
>dramatically open up your schedule?
>

I agree: it's not an 'all or nothing' proposition.
Take a week or two to do something completely different: maybe a functional fitness routine, maybe some yoga, whatever it is that you don't usually do (but not 'taking it up a notch,' which can lead to a spiral of just wanting to do more and more intense workouts and risking more injury and burn-out).

Then reassess and see if you think your current schedule could benefit from a change.

I would think that if you chose the right types of workouts and workout/recovery combo, you could maintain what you have with 6 hours of training a week. And some of that new training time could be devoted to a new sport (roller blading? rock climbing?) that will keep you in shape, but also add a different dimension to what you are doing (and get you out of the gym---which doesn't always seem like a great place to be!)

just a thought
 
Laura, I am 45 and have been working out heavily since I was 12 years old. I will assure you that if you back off for a month, or take a couple of weeks off, you will not undo everything. Instead, when you go back, you will feel refreshed, and ready to tackle things again. The things you are dealing with are exhausting, and it is OK to baby yourself. Just make sure you still eat healthy, and get good rest, and I bet when you go back to working out, you will feel energized.

I think those of us who working out a lot struggle to have permission to back off. We do not slack off forever. Working out is ingrained in us, so the fears of not going back are unfounded. Enjoy the time off, and you will be ready to hit it hard in a few weeks.
 
How shall I put this...I haven't done AS MUCH as you have, and don't work out for as many hours, or as intensely--BUT--I can still relate to that "OCD" factor, and being afraid to cut back a little and lose it all entirely. Our level of activity may not be the same, but the mind games are probably very similar. I'd suggest just adding one rest day, or 50% day, per week to whatever you're doing. You're not going to lose it or fall off the wagon. And I'm only basing that on my own experience--when I've taken off a day or so, I'm fine. A week or two--I'm lost.

If you're afraid to change, then change GENTLY.

Another thought: when I've taken time off from exercise and have all this "free time"--I haven't really filled that time with self-enrichment. It's been more like "oh, I'm going to sleep in" or "hey, I want to watch this show on TV" or "where's my Harry Potter book?"

That's just me. I'm not particularly noble with my extra time. Sure, I INTEND to study a foreign language or write letters to my friends, but...um...well...

Gisela
 
10 hours a week, so how much is that 2 hours a day for 5 days or is it less time and more days for you?

I think that you can try doing less and see what happens. Remember that your diet is extremely important. If you keep eating clean and you exercise less (say 2-3 90 min workouts, 2-3 1 hour workouts and one flexibility routine a week) then your body probably won't change much if at all.
 
"I like Marie's idea of taking maybe 2-4 weeks off, but that scares me too. What if I lose the strength I've worked so hard to build? What if I gain weight?"

Laura, all I can tell you is I stopped working out about a year and a half ago (except for occasional weekends) to spend more time at the office (blech), and it took almost a full year to lose my strength, and I've lost about 7 lbs (granted, it was mostly muscle :( ). Do NOT try this at home! :p I just wanted to assure you that there's nothing to be afraid of if you take off a few weeks.
 
What you have done with your routine thru the years is to make your body incredibly strong and most likely much more resistant to disease and illness. When you are NOT going to the doctor for a chronic illness or NOT taking medications for chronic conditions, then would you then ask yourself "what if I had just exercised more in my life?" Nah - not you! ;-)

You've been doing it right all along and you will likely have good health for a long time as a reward. Let's face it, when you're sick nothing else matters. So don't wonder if there is something more productive that you could have been doing. Enjoy your good health and your life!

But, I do agree with the other posters. There's nothing wrong with switching things up a bit to keep things interesting and fresh.:)

Angie
 
First of all, when you add all the hours up, of course it's a lot, but think of all the health benefits you've gained! Personally I think that 1 hr/day is sufficient, but if you like more, than that is a personal decision. I think of all the time I've spent exercising with 3 kids and a DH. If I were single, I'd have more time for it, if that's what I chose. So, the time thing is pretty much a wash. But if you choose to cut back, you won't lose what you gained (strength) or gained what you lost;-) You are really dedicated and even if you took some time off, you'd be back:)

I think Kathryn's ideas are really good. Change things up, don't give up
 
Ok I guess I really need to consider it. Thank you all SO MUCH for your encouragement. I think if I hadn't worked out 3 times since yesterday morning I wouldn't be so wiped out.

On the other hand, I have a new barbell on the way so a "rest month" might have to wait........;-)
 
Probably. :p It's been a long week & I've taken a lot of abuse. Maybe 12 hours of sleep'll get me over it.

But it's not the first time I've felt this way. I often ask myself "why the heck am I doing all this?" And no doubt if I had a husband and/or children I wouldn't.
 
LauraMax,
I will turn 34 on Tuesday. I have been working out since age 16, with aerobics, taebo etc (also played varsity soccer, year round sports). I am tired. I am in reasonably good shape, work out about 8 hours a week with Cathe. I recovered from having two kids with minimal damage (apparently working out won't get rid of stretch marks, LOL). It dawned on me I have been doing all of this working out to improve me. I can't be improved, this is it. I need to accept this and re evaluate what the heck I am doing this for. Am I ok working out for 8 hours a week to stay exactly where I am? Or lose a few hours a gain a few pounds? This is a question I am still thinking about. Maybe you need to do the same? Maybe you need a new challenge? Maybe you are just plain old tired. We are here for you so don't ever think no one understands. I bet there is always at least one person who does. Good Luck!
 
I agree with delfin. Take up a new sport. Take golf or tennis lessons, buy some rollerblades, shoot some hoops. Check out your local community education classes. You may find something new to love and you never know who you'll meet. My friend and I joined a golf league through community education. It was great to be outside, get some exercise (no carts!), and alittle competition once a week! Our local ice arena has a ladies only beginners hockey league every fall, I'm trying to get the courage to try it. There is no better cardio then 50 min. of hard core hockey!

Good luck
Diane
 
>Probably. :p It's been a long week & I've taken a lot of
>abuse. Maybe 12 hours of sleep'll get me over it.
>
>But it's not the first time I've felt this way. I often ask
>myself "why the heck am I doing all this?" And no doubt if I
>had a husband and/or children I wouldn't.


Nah, you would probably have a forgiving husband like me, and kids who are so used to you working out because it is all they have ever known.

Taking up a new challenge might do the trick. When my youngest got skilled enough at swimming that I did not worry about her as much, I took lessons, and now swimming is my main form of cardio, heck, I even compete every now and again. And it is something my daughter and I enjoy together as well. She is now faster than me, but we still make pretty good training partners, I make her spot me 10 seconds and try to catch me while I try my darnest to stay ahead.

We also ice skate together, I coach her team and play ball with the kids. On days I do things like this with her, I consider that my work-out. It works, and keeps things interesting and fun. And I do work-out 10-12 hours a week and have had the most horrendous year at work and some issues with my oldest, so don't get too disheartened, you can get through this. Just think outside the box. Rest is good, change is good.
 
Laura, I would never dream of giving you advice. As everyone has already told you, you are an inspiration to everyone here. I just want to send you a hug and know you'll figure it out. Not only are you beautiful and fit, you are also smart. And, wow, there is some great advice on this thread. I only wish I worked out as hard as you to take some of it myself. Best wishes.
 
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