Does Anyone get the Exercise Blues?

J

JT

Cathlete
Hello Friends.

Since last Saturday, I've lost my motivation and energy to workout. Great way to begin the Holiday season, isn't it? Recently, I just bought the barbell/weights that are used in Cathe's video and got the Step Topper for high step along with tne New Series. So, I feel blessed to have all the new toys.
There's always pressure at work, issues with the siblings, one parent in the hospital, finances, men,etc... So, I have plenty of reasons like you all to work out. I don't have the motivation.
It rains here, I want to sleep LOTS.
The big question is: What do you do when you're in a slump? Do you just let it ride or push through it? My goal on Saturday is to try the infamous scrambled egg premix on BM2. Please help.

Thanks.

Jennifer (in MI)
 
Jennifer, look at your eating and your recent past exercise. When I feel like I don't want to exercise, I don't. I do some yoga instead or just take a nap that day. I try and take it one day at a time and be honest with myself. Is this lack of motivation a new thing? It may just be a sign of overtraining... in which case, scrambled eggs is not a good goal for Saturday! :) Unless you rest up... }(
 
Hello Amy.
It might be a sign of overtraining, I know I've been non-stop for quite awhile with a day off for recovery. You're right about the scrambled eggs premix, that's more for a high energy/motivation day.
Maybe, another instructor that's easier.
Thanks for your advice.

Jennifer
 
I agree with Amy, think about overtraining and also, take it one day at a time. When I feel like that I let myself do the minimum. Basically I just say, "All I need to do is maintain today, not progress." Eventually I get back to going full-force.

HTH!

Sparrow

My garden is filled with papayas and mangos
My life is a mixture of reggaes and tangos
Taste for the good life, I can live it no other way
- Jimmy Buffett
 
I would take it one day at a time. I wouldn't get into a rotation. I would just do the type of workout I felt like doing. Lighter workouts maybe some stretching or yoga. Just doing something would make me feel better until this phase passes.
 
Hi Jennifer-

Yes I get the exercise blues sometimes. Usually mine comes from thinking "gee i have to keep this up the rest of my life or I lose the benefits." Some days that's just too much to bear. Most days I realize it is a blessing to be able to do the Cathe workouts. Most days, not everyday.

I guess I want that phone call that Rita Rudner talks about. You know the one where you finish doing your sit ups for the day and the phone rings and says "Hello--this is heaven. That was your 5,000th sit up. You're done for life."

One thing I do is change up my routine, like I go bike riding rahter than a structured workout, or take a couple of long walks or swim. Just to give my body and mind a break.

Hope that helps!
 
i just came out of a 7 day feeling just like this!
A couple of things to maybe consider (based on what I figured out for me)

My routine / schedule / place I was "living" ALL CHANGED .... My brain didnt have the normal routine to connect with

My routine foods (yes I eat the same thing all the time!) all changed due to baking / cooking / dining out. Even good choices were different to my body

For some reason my coffee consumption was way up (from high to RIDICULOUS!) and my water consumption dropped to half)

Once I got a rest day or 2 my body felt like a noodle... maybe overtraining maybe foods

Combining all the above I took what was suppose to be a "light cardio week" for me and turned it into a 4 day rest.

I am hyped and ready to go today tho! I love starting new workout cycles and today is the start of one for me.

:7
 
Hey Jennifer,

I totally know how you feel - I'm in a bit of a slump myself. Lots of stress, plus getting ready for the going away for the holidays (we'll be away for nearly 3 weeks,) days are getting very short here (sun sets by 4pm!) it's very grey and dull and I just want to sleep too! I've decided not to beat myself about it - just try to workout at least 3 times a week (I usually try to do 5) and let myself do a more gentle workout if my body and mind is telling me to.

Today, for example, I had planned to do KPC, but I just couldn't get myself up for it. So, instead I did one Core Max (felt great!) and will try to do some yoga later today. Tomorrow I'm sticking to my plan of doing BM2 Cardio & Weights premix, Saturday off, and we'll see what Sunday brings. Monday I hope to be out of this slump and feeling ready to get back to my usual routine, but if I'm not, I will not stress about it and just stick to the above plan.

Hang in there, remember ANY workouts you do during this busy pre-holiday time will benefit you. Try to keep to some sort of routine, even if it's much reduced. I bet you'll be out of your slump before you know it.

Cheers!
 
Thanks, I'm glad I'm not the only one that goes through this. Thank you for the encouragement. Saturday, I will try again.
 
Hey Jennifer,

I live in MI, too, and also experiencing a minor slump. Today is a DOR (should have taken one yesterday, but didn't listen to my body), I plan to chill on the couch and read or maybe nap (if DS lets me). Tomorrow is another day.

It sounds like you may be overdoing it just a bit. I like what Cathe has to say about respecting your body when it tells you what it needs. Good luck!
 
I live in Michigan, too and am in a major slump -- maybe it's the weird weather and lack of sunlight we've been having that's contributing.

I have definitely lost the zip I had a few weeks ago.

Great tips about sticking with it in some way or just respecting the body's message to the mind to take it easy.

-Barb
:)
 
I agree with everyone else - sounds like you need a rest. I took Thanksgiving week off from exercise because I was tired. Ordinarilly it would be a very intense exercise week, taking advantage of my days off, but I paid attention to what the old bod was saying to me, and I did a lot of sleeping instead.
 
Getting over this week will help too!! Darkness looms over the sky.
Thank you for all the MI posts, I'm in Grand Rapids and originally from the metro Detroit area.
Yeah, I will try again on Saturday and rest up in the meantime.
 
This is happening to me too right now! So, I just want to send my support! One thing I try NOT to do is beat myself up for slacking off, i.e. negative comments, calling myself lazy, etc. because it usually makes the blues last longer.

Several other things I do to get through a slump:
- Do something, anything, that qualifies as exercise even if its just 10 pushups and some crunches. Today I did an impromptu workout with my 8 yr old DD while watching Oprah.It was fun having a little partner and 20 mins is better than nothing.
-Watch favorite exercise videos, even if I have no motivation to actually DO them. Somehow this helps, even if its just to review steps for when I'm ready to join in. Also, the songs stay in my head & remind me of how fun it is to DO not just watch.
-Give thanks for being healthy and strong, even if I've been a little "slack" for a few weeks. I flex the muscles I have worked hard for and think about how much I don't want to lose them!
-Keep reading Cathe and hope that I will soon read something motivational to get me back on track. Always works!!

Hope this helps! BTW, I smiled when I read about all the new workout "toys" you had just bought, I always tend to lose my "mojo" right after big purchases. What kind of psych game is that?:)
 
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