Superwoman Syndrome

[SRP]

Does anyone have it? I know you're out there - 'fess up!

It's the constant urge to do harder and harder workouts, to workout non-stop, no breaks, and to feel guilty when you don't! When I miss a workout during the week, I can't just take it in stride. I try to make it up by doubling up somewhere else during the week. And what happens during the holidays, or other busy times when I miss more than one? Good grief. Don't ask.

And then the constant need to try bigger, harder workouts... when will it end? Pretty soon, since my workout time is limited. And, apparently, so is my body's capacity, as I posted in another thread.

Anybody feel this way? What do you do about it?

 

[luvtorun]

No Shannon, you are not alone. If I miss a workout, it will be made up, I don't know if it is superwoman syndrome or my OCD kicking in!! I have given myself a break this month and done the abbreviated 40 to 50 minute w/o's on the Dec rotation but today starts the add-on phase. I am kicking it back up because I feel I need to to burn this holiday eating off. I can't say though that I haven't enjoyed the shorter w/o's. I really needed those a lot of days when I wasn't sure how I was going to get a w/o in.

My body usually tells me though when enough is enough. I have actually done a run, weight w/o, then thought, hmmm.... maybe a step w/o and my body usually says whoa already when I try that. That was when I was putting together my own w/o's. I follow Cathe's rotations now and have since September. I do much better with these, less injury, etc.

 

[honeybunch1]

I confess - but I chalk it up to my perfectionistic nature rather than a guilt complex. I've always been rather anal, but I'm getting better. I've learned to recognize when I need to take breaks, and not try to take on too much. I stay away from any pass-time that I know I'd have to spend too much time perfecting, like Bullseye Pistol shooting (shooting paper targets) in which my SO is totally absorbed. It would require too much time to get really good at it, so I don't even bother.

Exercise, on the other hand, does not require a large learning curve - you just pop in a tape and go to town. The reading to keep up with the current trends are what takes the time, but that's work related for me, fortunatly.

Just know how much time you have to devote to exercise, and try to fit in what you can. You CAN be smart about it and get it all in without having it become a second job. Stay with the Cathe workouts, and you'll accomplish this!
Just Do It!

 

[sparrow]

Shannon, I think so many of us feel this way! Two things I do is

1) listen to my body. if Ipush too hard I risk imjuring myself and be possibly being out of commission for days!

2) see rest and recovery as part of the challenge. I'm a really obsessive person, so I challenge myself to "let go" of the superwoman thing from time to time and rest, take an extra day off or do a lighter workout if I feel like it. That way I feel as if I've accomplished something when I'm resting, instead of feeling guilty!

HTH, Sparrow


Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage

 

[robyn6002]

Hi!

I'm not sure how old you are but I use to be that way VERY Much in my 30s and early 40s. I've mellowed in my 40s and realize rest is very much a part of things.

I was that way not just in working out but was of the generation of women when we had to do it all and with carreer, kids!

Sadly so many of woman my age got their toughness/strength on being so TOUGH and not at all dealing with our vulnerable softer side. Anyhow it's tough not trying to be SUPERwoman but realizing it isn't the way to be helps!

 

[SRP]

Yeah, I'm learning about taking breaks. Part of me really, really dislikes it, but the other part absolutely luxuriates in it! The thing that really irritates me is that I seem to be pretty much stuck at the same level. Whenever I try to break a plateau, I put myself out of commission for a few days, so what's the point?

Oh well - most of the people I know can't even climb a flight of stairs without getting winded.

 

[nancy324]

No, I've never been that way about exercise. I've always been quite moderate and sensible. Yesterday I was talking to a friend who was always pushing herself. She is in bed recovering from back surgery. She was always pushing herself to go to the gym every day, always getting injured, and never allowing her body any down time. I always walked on the treadmill while she would run. Now that we're both turning 50, she is looking back and wishing she had been more moderate like me. She is on the fast track to wearing out her body and I'm still going along in my tortoise-like fashion, feeling fine. No surgeries, no medications, no painful joints.

Hope this helps give you a little perspective.

-Nancy

P.S. We all have our weirdnesses though. I'm just now starting to loosen up and be more reasonable about my eating, which is (was?) my obsessive area.

 

[ivorygorgon]

I am really not that obsessive about exercise. I don't like missing workouts, but I won't do an extra one to make up. I w/o 5 days a week and that is plenty. All of the experts recommend rest. That is when we recover and get stronger!

But! I do have superwoman complex in that I have to do it all. I work full time, keep my house, cook the meals, pay the bills, exercise etc. By the time 8 or 9 o'clock arrives every night, I am exhausted. I need to be able to find some balance.

 

[Krisztina]

Unfortunately I was workout addict about a year ago. Since April I'm paying the price for it so I think it will not happen to me anymore. It was terrible when I missed a workout and no matter what I made it up. My family thought I was crazy I injured myself very seriously.
My whole mind was about workout and I talked way too much about my exercise plan, my body. I was very boring.


I also know women who went to the spinning-class almost right after her breast-implant surgery. She started bleeding during the class and she ended up in the hospital.

Now I agree with Nancy and trying to do the same. Listening to my body, and being sensitive. I spend more time with my family, and also started to occupy myself with new hobbies


Krisztina




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[lala1]

Yes, taking those breaks can be hard. I can be pretty obsessive about exercise, having been overweight as a college student/young adult. I have this nagging voice telling me I'll get fat if I don't work out. I always take a day off--and really enjoy it, and for about the past 2 years have started taking a week off every 4 months or so. THAT takes willpower. Moreso than exercising So for me, that time off is a "character builder";-)

 

[SRP]

Lala1 - wow - a weeklong break every 4 months? I don't know if I could do it. You do indeed have willpower! I don't have a weight problem, never have.. but I would feel like I was getting fat!

Nancy:
"She is on the fast track to wearing out her body and I'm still going along in my tortoise-like fashion, feeling fine. No surgeries, no medications, no painful joints"

Yes, I wonder about this. Here I am, trying to keep myself in "top form" (for me, at least), but the joints are starting to go. I suspect a little perspective wouldn't hurt me at this point!

Krisztina:
"My whole mind was about workout and I talked way too much about my exercise plan, my body. I was very boring"

Gee - that's sort of how I'm beginning to feel... guess I'd better change something!

Thanks, everyone - New Year's is coming up. Maybe it's time for some thought and re-vamping.

 

[Dorothy]

Don't feel afraid of a week long break. They are wonderful, and I DO have a weight problem. But sometimes, that is exactly what the body need.

As to the need to exercise? I exercise because I absolutely love to exercise. But if something gets in the way, and I cannot, well, I don't sweat it. I did Cathe's August rotation, but it took me 4 weeks not 4, because if there was a day I could not do it, that was OK, I just did it the next day. I still reaped the benefits, I got a little more tired than I usually do, but did it to my satisfaction.

I am wondering if this comes with age, the satisfaction of doing the work-out for the work-outs sake, not driven for any reason.