too much

[gabby]

For the last year or so I feel that I have been excercising too much and not enjoying it. In the morning I will do a step video or go for a run and sometimes in the afternoon I will do another round of aroebics and weights. I have been tired, but when stressed seem to be excersing too much. It has also been hard for me to take a day off.

Also, in the past I went to the gym to do weights, but seem to enjoy it more at home. I own some of the pure strength videos and find they are a good supplement to lifting weights at the gym. Can one get a good weight workout at home?

Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[pamelas7]

Gabby,

I have been in your situation before. I think maybe you are burned out from doing too much! Sounds like you are trying to fit too much into too short of a time period. One session of cardio per day should be enough rather than two sessions. Also, maybe you should try and separate your cardio days and weight days. For example,

M-cardio
T-weights
W-cardio
TH-cardio and weights ( cardio on AM, weights in PM or vice versa)
F-off
S-cardio or weights
S-cardio or weights

If you have extra energy during the week try adding an extra shorter cardio session somewhere in the mix.

I know when I start to feel tired and do not have the desire to work out, I am doing too much. Sometimes taking a couple days off allows you to refocus. Also doing too much does not give your body a chance to rest and rebuild. This is important for your body, otherwise no changes will be seen.

As far as working out at home - this is a great alternative to working out at the gym. I used to belong to a gym for about 8 years. I finally was able to equip my home with all the needed equipment, and now I don't feel rushed to get to the gym to beat the crowds and rush through my workouts. Cathe's tapes are great; I just started using them, and it has made adifference because for so long I was doing the same thing.
Hope this helps, and good luck!

 

[Bobbi]

Hi, Gabby, sounds like you are exhibiting the classic signs of overtraining! Listen to your body! This healthy lifestyle should make you feel joyful!

I thought about joining a gym but it would interfere with my wonderful and very effective home workout program! Armed with PS, S&H, MIS, CTX, a great pair of Ryka's and my favorite running shoes as well as Pilates and Yoga tapes, I can't imagine a gym that could give me the variety I enjoy now. Not that I wouldn't enjoy using the machines or taking a class, I just can't fit it in. But thanks to Cathe and my love of running, that's fine for now. You bet you can have an effective home workout regime!

Bobbi http://www.plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Chick's Rule!

 

[clareMc]

Gabby:

I agree with the ladies who have already responded to you.

You can get fabulous home fitness results: with Cathe I work out 5 or 6 times a week for an hour, 3 or 4 cardio and 2 total body weight training (Power Hour is fabulous!) and I am in better shape after just three months of this than I have been in since I rowed for college aged 21. Cathe is my stress buster. I recommend it: with the right gear, great videos --Cathe is the best, hands down--, some space and the right motivation, who needs sweaty gyms?!

Your body probably does not need that much cardio, and the net result is that you are overtraining, bored, lacking in interest and it seems to be stressing you more. Injury could be the next event. It seems that maybe you no longer have the same motivation for working out, that maybe your motivations have changed in some way. Try and think back to when and why you started along this road, way back, what were your goals? And, what have they become now?

You mention stress: what causes your stress? Are there alternative ways you can think of that would help you deal with it rather than second cardio sessions in the afternoon? Since you love to move so much, perhaps you could make some of your second sessions into an outlet for your creativity or spirituality. Have you thought of maybe taking some dance classes or slipping into some yoga routines in a class setting that might have some great music that will inspire you and help to relax your mind away from stress sources?

Gabby, hope some of this and what all the other ladies have to say might be of some help, take care and remember, there is life after cardio!!!

Clare

 

[jillybean]

Clare offered great advice. I want to just add that I was into serious overtraining and what helped me was taking a complete break for quite awhile and ordering new videos when I was ready to begin again. I used to do 2 or 3 of my old tapes a day. I knew I had to cut that down, but I didn't want to start comparing myself to the amount that I used to do. So I bought CTX and limited myself to one workout a day and I always take 1 day off per week now. Here's what you have to look forward to: You will have more energy, your muscles will have more recovery time, and you'll be able to focus more when you do workout so that your results will be even better! So don't stress out, order some new videos, rest, and take care!