Need some encouragement

[AmyCaitlyn]

I have been going through a divorce/seperation since last May. I have been having such a hard time completing and doing the workouts I have planned. I was working out 6 days/wk., now sometimes only 3-4 times per week. I don't weigh myself, but i have lost inches in my stomach and thighs (that's where I would see weight gain). What gives? Am I losing muscle? I don't feel as strong...like when I do push ups, I sometimes have to go to my knees. Whereas before, I could to big girl pushups no problem. I am such a perfectionist, so that when I don't do the workout I have planned, I am so hard on myelf. I must stop that What is the minumum to maintain muscle development?

Thanks.

Amy

 

[Gayle]

Hi Amy,

You're going through a very stressful situation right now. That in itself can really zap your energy. Are you eating enough? I know when I'm under a lot of emotional stress my appetite takes a significant nosedive. That would definitely impact your strength.

Don't be too hard on yourself. It's good that you're still doing regular workouts. Maybe this would be a good time to change them up a little?

Take care
Gayle

 

[Aquajock]

Hi, Amy - encouragement is on the way . . .

I agree with Gayle that you are indeed going through a very tough time, and emotional energy is always the toughest to replace.

It could be that, with the demands of your life change, 6 day per week workout schedules are not practical; if 3-4 days is what you can do that's what you can do. It could very well be that you've inadvertently lost some muscle mass, and possibly a bit of strength, but I'm here to tell you you can get it back. Go slow, do what you can when you can.

I'd be interested in seeing what you've been doing recently with a 3-4 session per week schedule - I'd bet if you posted what you've been doing, you'd get a lot of good suggestions as to how you can maximize your time within that schedule from others here.

Let us know -

A-Jock

 

[AmyCaitlyn]

Since I haven't been working out as much, I try to concentrate on more circuit workouts, like Circuit Max, High Step Advanced, Bootcamp, the Terminator workouts, SB/SJP premixes, stuff like that, where I am incorporating weights with cardio. I also try to do one of the Imaxes for my cardio, or some cardio from Cross Train Xpress series when I'm pressed for time.

Thanks for any suggestions. I am under a lot of emotional strain, so I am sure that has to do with my lack of energy.

Amy

 

[Aquajock]

Hi again, Amy. I'd like to suggest that you do CTX cardio AND isolated-muscle routines exclusively for the next 2-3 weeks, trying to hit all the muscle groups and the legs even if that means you shorten your cardio.

My experience has been that when my strength training program is interrupted, my energy level really tanks regardless of what caused the interruption. Case in point: I went to San Diego for a vacation a couple of weeks ago and brought along my aqua jogger, thinking that would be my week off from lifting. Well, it was and the aqua jogger routines I did in the pool were okay (kept me limber) but I gotta tell you every day I felt more and more sluggish. The sluggishness went away within two days after I got back home AND got back with my strength-oriented lifting protocol - again, especially the legs.

I think you could do with a shake-up - less cardio, more targeted lifting, and the CTX workouts are good in that you can do 20 minutes of cardio and go onto the lifting if time is not on your side.

A-Jock

 

[AmyCaitlyn]

Thanks for the suggestion...I will try to do that this week and see if my energy level improves.

Amy