Working out too much?

F

frostyjan

Active Member
I have been exercising for 20+ years doing stairmaster, weights,
kickboxing, swimming, etc. I got my bench and Cathe tapes last Christmas and have had very dramatic increases in my overall fitness level. It has been great fun and I love the workouts. I have however, gotten to the place where I feel guilty when I take a day off of doing cardio. I used to do a Pilates tape once or twice a week and even though I know it gives me a nice result and helps my flexibility, I just keep reaching for the cardio tapes every day. I lift my upper body twice a week, and rely on Cathe's circuit work for lower body. I have gotten to the place where I get really irritable if I'm forced to miss more than one day. My legs even feel restless at night if I don't workout. I know this is a great habit/vice, but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced these types of feelings or if I'm just losing my mind! I am at a good weight and happy with my body, so it is not that I'm trying to get thinner. Does anyone out there have to force themselves to take days off or do something different?:-hmmm Thanks for all your great info. I really have enjoyed reading the conferences.
 
It's Common

among this crowd. Stop it. I spent this last week 8 hours a day on my feet, running, pulling, pushing my horse around and I STILL felt I should "work out" when I got done. I only gave into this manic thinking a few times, however--the bubble bath took over for the rest. It's crazy. We go from nothing to everything and it's not good.

Here's a tip: make appointments with yourself on your calendar to "break." Write it down as if it were an appointment and go to the mall or!)-- Starbuck's or..the park (but Not to run!)--get my drift? :)
 
I feel a bit cranky if I don't get some sort of movement each day. I think that taking a day off doesn't mean doing nothing, but taking a nice easy walk or some stretching. A day off makes those tapes so much more fun to come back to--the joy of delayed gratification. :-cool

:) Gretchen
 
Hi

Hi Frostyjan,

Nice to hear from you. I would really like to respond to your question. I konw these could be viewed as very personal and nosy questions...BUT...because I've "been there done that" I'd like to respond.

Could you please include more info.
*What is your weekly routine
*How much do you weigh and how tall
*Please say something about your family / lifestyle
*Daily food intake
*What are your goal for the next 6 months

Thank!!!!
Hope to hear from you!!!!
Laura
 
RE: Hi

Thanks for the responses and encouragement that I'm not a total nut! Laura, I'm 36, 5'7,and weigh 138. I'm a stay at home mom with 4 kids (3,6,9,11). I regularly eat at mealtimes only, unless its before that time of the month. My weekly routine looks something like this:
Monday:BodyMax
Tuesday: Stepworks, superset upperbody exercises
Wednesday:Swim or a Mindy tape
Thursday:IMAX
Friday: StepFit or PowerMax, upper body
Saturday: Pilates when I'm not having my weird cardio thoughts
Sunday: MIC
I do occasionally take days off, but I'm more worried about the mind set of forcing myself to take them off.
I don't have any real goals. I just want my husband to think I look good, and to have alot of energy for the kids. The only other thing I do for myself is read, and attend a ladies bible study. I was tired yesterday, and wanted to stretch, but I did a step tape anyway. It was weird! I don't go overboard on time because I really don't have more than an hour or so to work out. I do have the Stott Advanced Matwork, and All the Right Moves. If you have any suggestions on what a good rotation for these tapes looks like I'd appreciate knowing your thoughts. I've never really done a "rotation". Thanks in advance.
 
RE: Hi

I just had to respond to this!! Let me tell you that up until Dec., I was working out 7 days a week. Cathe told me I need at least one rest day to help my muscles recupe and rebuild. Reluctantly, I started taking a day off doing yoga. Now I do yoga everyday, but I also have one day that I call my "yoga day" because I don't do anything else! Just this past week I took 4 days off because I couldn't ever get enough rest. I was waking up tired, I had to force myself to workout and didn't feel better afterward like I always do. I started back on Fri. and I feel great!! I did yoga the whole time I was off. Here's my thinking, if you think you might need time off, you probably do. I hated those 4 days that I was off!! I drove my family nuts pacing the house, so I know what you mean!! If you fight that restless feeling and do some pilates or yoga instead you might be better off in the long run. Your muscles need time to repair. Ok, Just my little ol' 2 cents:)! Have a good one!!


Aimee
 
Oh how well I understand this....I too have been working out for over 20 years now. And I STILL hate taking days off!

Generally my body is the one that tells me when to take a day off. I'll just start to feel a touch burned out and real draggy for a day and then realize when I look back on that particular week that I've done some tough workouts all in a row...

For example, I just had oral surgery like two weeks ago....And I only LET myself have off like 2-3 days! I did workouts for 5 days straight....but NOW I'm paying for it! It's finally all caught up to me....I'm tired, draggy, grouchy....(and the time change didn't help much either!)

HOWEVER, on the other hand, I notice that I really get grouchy when I don't work out for too long a period of time...It's like my body is looking for that endorphin rush or something!

I guess the key is is to find "balance" in your life with all things....even working out!

Terri
 
RE: Hi

Hi Frostyjan,

Your a busy lady with those little ones! After reading your post I wholly agree with the others comments. There is much wisdom in taking one cardio day off. Your mind may not agree but your body can overstress. It's also a healthy balance. A serious stretch, walk with your husband, taking the kids to a park, taking time to reflect and dream are good alternatives.

You can get some great ideas on a rotation from reading past posts. The weekly check ins or doing a word search in the archives would help. You'll see a pattern emerging from others workouts. It helps me to schedule what I am doing before hand. Then I feel accountable to do it and stick with it. Including my days off.

Good Luck!!!
Laura
 
RE: Hi

I feel the same way you do. It is difficult to take a day off. I think working out is the same as taking a "happy drug". If I don't workout, I don't get that endorphin release and I just don't feel as good. You have a good mix in your routine and I think you are doing great! Listen to your body--it will tell you when you need a day off. One day a week is nice, but if you HAVE to workout, I suggest a flexability workout---such as FIRM 5 day stretch or a basic yoga video. Something simple yet fulfilling. Something that can make you feel good in 30 minutes or less. Another suggestion: do your step at a lower riser set once a week. For example, if you normally use two sets of risers, take a set off.

I hope this helps. I am basically in the same state you are in & I feel great! Working out is healthy, fun, and addicting. :)
 
RE: Hi

I feel the same way you do. It is difficult to take a day off. I think working out is the same as taking a "happy drug". If I don't workout, I don't get that endorphin release and I just don't feel as good. You have a good mix in your routine and I think you are doing great! Listen to your body--it will tell you when you need a day off. One day a week is nice, but if you HAVE to workout, I suggest a flexability workout---such as FIRM 5 day stretch or a basic yoga video. Something simple yet fulfilling. Something that can make you feel good in 30 minutes or less. Another suggestion: do your step at a lower riser set once a week. For example, if you normally use two sets of risers, take a set off.

I hope this helps. I am basically in the same state you are in & I feel great! Working out is healthy, fun, and addicting. :)
 
RE: Hi

Can I ever relate to this. I used to work out seven days (sometimes twice a day). Whenever we went on vacation, I would pack my tapes and make my husband rent a VCR to set up in the hotel room. My philosophy (even though I am not overweight) was that if I did not work out, I could not eat. Every day I would say to myself "Okay what time will you work out tomorrow" and make it sure it was scheduled in - even if it was at 3:00 a.m.! Well, I finally hit a wall - I was exhausted like you said - had insomnia, muscle aches, depressed, cranky. I finally asked Cathe if it was possible for the average hour a day exerciser to overtrain. I thought it only applied to people who exercised for hours at a time or athletes. She said it could happen to anyone. I had to just stop cold turkey. Sometimes I could not even get off the couch cuz I hurt so bad. Wierd muscle pains. I forced myself to take about three weeks off (which was absolute torture) and try to recover. Then I slowly went back. I force myself to take a day off but I still feel tremendous guilt and anxiety (yes really) about not working out that day. I go for a walk or whatever but feel that doesn't count. I wish I could stop thinking this way but it's nice to know there are other crazy people out there too. Cathe has made us all nuts. Oh well, at least it's a good addiction... By the way, if I (emphasis added on the I) have to take a day off, then you all have to also or it's not fair.....
 
RE: Hi

Thanks to all for the encouragement and grounding. I did my Pilates tape today with renewed enthusiasm, and it felt great. I'm going to make sure I do that or some other Yoga/pilates at least once a week. I'm grateful to have somewhere to share these things, because friends who don't workout just aren't very sympathetic to the problem of not being able to take a break! I hope you all have a great week.:D
 
RE: Hi

Thanks to all for the encouragement and grounding. I did my Pilates tape today with renewed enthusiasm, and it felt great. I'm going to make sure I do that or some other Yoga/pilates at least once a week. I'm grateful to have somewhere to share these things, because friends who don't workout just aren't very sympathetic to the problem of not being able to take a break!Thanks again. I hope you all have a great week.:D
 
Been there, Done that!

I know exactly how you all are feeling. I was in the same boat~would NEVER think of missing a day & boy, if I did, I would be upset with myself. Since coming here to Cathe's place and hearing the IMPORTANCE of taking at least one day off a week for rebuilding & recovery, I decided to do it and you know what? I feel sooo much better. I have actually gotten to the point where I ENJOY my day of rest! This is coming from someone who NEVER thought that was possible. That day of recouping, plus spending quality time with my family ALL day has been a real blessing. Sooo, If I (CAPITAL "I" Julie!)can do It, so can you. Try it, you'll like it!:7

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)

"If You Get The Chance To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!"
 
RE: Been there, Done that!

I know, I know - it's too funny... I have been doing it but I am not enjoying it yet as much as you. I'm Catholic - all that guilt - ya know?
 
rest is part of your training program

Hi FrostyJan
I think of my rest day as part of my fitness program. My body needs it to recover otherwise I won't reap the benefits of working out (how can we get buff if we never rest enough to allow our muscles to build?). Also, you deserve the day off, darn it!!! A good way to motivate yourself to take a day off is to realize that by working out 7 days a week, you are risking overuse injuries. If you get hurt, you WON'T have a choice but take time off--perhaps a lot of it, too. Be good to yourself, woman, and no guilt. Let us know how you're doing. Suzanna
 
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