Less is More Musings

S

sparrow

Cathlete
Hi All!

Honeybunch's post about the challenges encouraged me to post this, finally. It's been kicking around in my head for a couple of weeks. Okay, here are my ramblings. SOrry for the length.

I really pushed myself this past summer. We had so little bad weather that I was able to be outdoors alot, so on top of my usual workouts I was biking, hiking, walking etc. It felt great psychologically and I looked pretty lean. But by the end of the summer it started to feel like a "must" do, you know? I felt guilty if I wasn't doing at least two hours a day. Plus, I looked lean but was eating like a horse and my knees and back were acting up too, in ways they never had before. Anyway, two weeks ago DH and I went to Maine on vacation (we had a GREAT time!!). My goal was to take a full seven days off exercise, save for the one day on isle au haut that I knew we would hike, cause that's why we were going there. I didn't so much as bring my running shoes with me. I told myself I would probably come back about 5lbs heavier, and not to worry about. And I didn't! I was not obsessed about it at all. We did walk around alot seeing stuff, and hiked that one day for about 6 hours, but other than that, nada. I also ate pretty much what I wanted though I will say that my tastes have changed so much I don't have the desire for junk that I used to. Basically, I ate a few more desserts, drank soda when I wanted to and had onion rings one night at a diner :D. Here's the odd part: I felt great, and I think I actually lost a few pounds!! I mean, I was sleeping better, not nearly as tired and crabby, very relaxed (I know, it was vacation but this felt like something beyond just vacation enjoyment). When I came back I decided to continue being more moderate, though of course I actually started up with working out again. But I have dialed it back considerably while keeping the focus on a healthy lifestyle in general. Slightly lighter weights, and instead of all these intense workouts I am doing a couple more days of walking. I really can't believe how much better I feel. I'm trying to listen to my body and mind but part of me is afraid I will wake up tomorrow at 250 lbs, lol. Am I crazy?

Sparrow

___________________
www.scifichics.com
 
Hey Sparrow--

Where the heck have you been? I've missed your posts! It's great to see you here :) .

Okay, I really don't have time to respond in full to your query because I have an Italian class tonight and I'm not finished with my homework (yes, I'm procrastinating:eek:). I just wanted to tell you that what you described makes perfect sense to me. Obesession is not fun--it's a psychiatric disorder that goes with compulsion--LOL!! I think sometimes we strive to increase our endurance and strength all the while forgetting what it really means to be FIT.

I've got to go but I would love to chat more about this with you. Hey, enough with the disappearing act!

Michele
 
I know what you mean. I haven't had a true rest day or a rest week in years. It sounds like that your body felt better because maybe you have been overtraining. I know everyone always says to take a rest week and it is good for you, but I have always been afraid of gaining weight or just feeling crappy physically. We are going away on Thanksgiving for a week and I am already stressed trying to figure out how to get my workouts in. Maybe, I should try what you did and take a week off. I have really never worked out more than an hour a day. It sounds like 2 hours was way too much for you. I know what you mean though when you start some crazy routine and then you feel you have to continue it. That is really interesting the fact that you lost weight. I think maybe our bodies hold onto fat when we overtrain. I am going to try to take a rest week like you and see what happens. Good for you though for listening to your body and being less obsessive.

Susan

Susan
 
I know for a fact that I overtrain. My SO likes to say "even Cathe takes rest days, Shell". And I'm trying hard. But it's difficult to overcome that little voice in your head that says "if you take a rest day you're going to instantly gain 100 lbs!". It's something I struggle with every day and if I am forced to take a rest day, I beat myself up endlessly over it.

Okay, well, now y'all know way more about my obsessive compulsiveness than I'm sure you wanted to, so I'll move on.:p
 
I got into a period when I was very much over-doing it when I got all excited about losing 14 lbs. after staying at the same weight for years without any downward turn (more due to diet than anything else). I was exercising 7 days a week (or at least taking a "power" walk when not doing a cardio tape) and got very tired after not taking a rest week for over 9 months. That was a wake-up call to slack off a little.

Today, for instance, I'm a little more tired than normal, but I'm not going to obsess about exercising - I'll take it easy, and jump back in tomorrow.

Exercise should never be a second job - AND it's really best to do what accomplishes your goals, and no more. It's all about results, not how much time you put in. I see so many people in our fitness center who work out for hours everyday, and they never look any different. Work out smarter, not harder. It's really true.
Just Do It! :)
 
Sparrow

I sound exactly like you! This summer was the same for me... I did my usual 1+ hour workout a day and always seemed to fit in an extra walk, biking or tennis too. I have had more sore knees than ever before and find myself paying a lot more attention to them than I am used to. Which really bums me out! :-( Now that the days are shorter and time is less available I find myself still trying to squeeze in something extra when I have already had a good workout in the morning. Physically I feel the need/crave for it and mentally I think I must do it. Your post made me realize that maybe I should just worry about 1 workout a day no more.

Thanks for posting this. And no, you are not crazy!

Nancy
 
I used to be a lot more obsessive - 6 days a week, two hours a day no matter what. I still aim for that somewhat, but if I have a cold or my knees are sore, etc., I don't beat myself up for not working out. If I get busy w/ other things and can only work out 4 days one week, that's okay. There's more to life.
 
Interesting post Sparrow. I don't have obsessive issues with working out, but I have been obsessive about my eating for eons. Lately, I find that I'm allowing myself more and more to eat things that other people eat. I've actually had pizza several times in the last few weeks, where as before I never had it more than once a year. Something is changing. My priorities are shifting or I'm loosening up a little. So I know how you feel. It's nice to be a little more normal. So maybe I'll weigh a few lbs. more. So what?
-Nancy
 
I think if I ate consistently clean than I probably wouldn't obsess as much with exercise. I just love to eat and really have very little self control with food. I know if I stop exercising every day I will totally obsess about the amount of food I eat. Anwyay, this has been a part of my life since I can remember and I am a happy healthy person, but just a little obsessed. I truly love my workouts though and I never dread them. Thank god that we have such a wonderful role model.

Susan
 
Hey all! Thanks for the responses.

Shelley - that's exactly what I go through. As I said in the "I don't get these challenges" thread, I *know* I can go to extremes, it's the time off that's the challenge for me.

Michele -thanks for missing me! :) First I was getting ready for vacation, then I was on vacation and then I was getting back from vacation, so I haven't had a lot of time to post. Plus we are house-hunting. I'm jealous you are learning Italian. Once things settle down I'm going to pick up my Arabic again. I'd love to hear your thoughts on less is more, when you get a chance. :)

Nancy, it *is* nice to feel normal and I hope I (we!) can maintain it. :) It probably is a shifting of priorities. I know I will always maintain a healthy lifestyle but as I approach my forties I am leaning more towards wellness and balance than I am towards being a hardbody. To me it's just not healthy to be so obsessed over exercise, as much as I love being fit.

Sparrow


__________________
www.scifichics.com
 
I think this topic is refreshing. I used to be a total control freak when it came to my workouts & my meals and definitely saw impressive results. Now, I'm not so tough on myself. I work out hard, obviously since I do Cathe, but allow myself some healthy rest & recovery. After many years of working out, I discovered I can get burned out when I go too long & too strong. So needless to say, I am no longer as small as I used to be, or as lean, but I am very happy with my physical health & appearance overall and I refuse to berate myself for not working out X-amount of hours/day/week because life happens.

Marla:)
 
After many years of
>working out, I discovered I can get burned out when I go too
>long & too strong. So needless to say, I am no longer as small
>as I used to be, or as lean, but I am very happy with my
>physical health & appearance overall and I refuse to berate
>myself for not working out X-amount of hours/day/week because
>life happens.
>
>Marla:)

I really admire that! I wish I could *get there*. I still obsess over everything. I beat myself up when I've eaten an extra 'something' and will not miss a workout ~ and if I do, I'll make it up. I'm six months pregnant and still try to eat "clean".

Susan C.M.
 
When I go on vacation be it 1 wk 2 or just 2-3 days. I never exercise, of course besides walking from point a to b. It never intereferes with how my body looks actually I feel like you do also that I actually lose weight. I used to worry about missing exercise for these days I no longer do that. So I workout like crazy (5-6 days)most of the time but no longer worry when I miss a w/o. I have gone as long as 3 weeks at a time and still my body hadn't gained weight. So I no longer worry about it. Also I am really a bad eater. I hardly ever eat clean as everyone does I eat whatever I want but continue to w/o Actually last week I eat a whole bag of oreos(big bag) but next day did 1max 2 and felt great!

:)
 
Interesting thread. I definitely think sometimes less IS more however I have a hard time practicing what I preach. :eek: As a person who was heavy and knows how it feels to be heavy, I am terrified of going back to where I was before. Therefore I push myself to workout 6 days a week for no less than an hour. I also feel like I gain weight REALLY easily. x( (I just look at a cookie and gain weight! :p )

I wish that I could have Marla's attitude and not care but I admittedly do obsess whenever I gain just a few pounds. I read some articles/posts somewhat recently about doing low/moderate intensity rather than higher intensity for weight loss and have been intrigued by that. I've been afraid to try it, though for fear of gaining weight.
 
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