Last week I worked out like a maniac, felt good. Ate too much over the weekend, trying to make up for it this week. I cut my calories a little but I am not working out as much this week, my body is just so tired. I am still soar from Sunday's lower body workout. I ran real hard yesterday and made myself more soar and hurt my foot again. It's mid semester so the work's piling on and I am looking for a job (that's the most tiring of all).
How do you all get through these times?
I just hit a 20 pound loss and I want to keep going strong, but I am so dang tired! I struggle with trusting myself still - Am I just making excuses to not workout as much? OR Am I listening to my body? Am I setting my workout and calorie goals to high? OR Am I just being a wimp? I don't want to get burnt out, but I want to keep losing steadily! I eat pretty good foods (sometimes the weekends get crazy though), and according to FitDay I am getting 100% or close to of all my vitamins and minerals. I drink a ton of water, I get enough sleep (most nights). What can I do to get some more energy and avoid this worn out, tired feeling?
You've been working hard and doing good, don't beat yourself up. One or two missed workouts or higher cal days won't make you gain 20 lbs. It sounds to me as if your body is trying to tell you something. Go with it. It also sounds like you are under a lot of stress right now.
My advice would be to take 5-7 days off your workouts. Relax your calorie intake a little (100-200 extra a day) for the same time (no binging spree just a little extra to reduce the stress on your body). Give your body a chance to adjust and catch up to all the work you have been doing. You should be bouncing off the walls at the end of your little rest. Who knows, your body might be hoarding cals because of all the work and strain you have been putting on it and reward you by losing a couple pounds.
Otherwise, no harm done. As long as you are sticking pretty close to your cal plan you are not going to gain in one week and it will gear you up for the last 20 lb.
I can completely relate to what you are saying. Last week was a flop and I'm having a terrible time recovering from it.
This has happened to me once before... but I reminded myself that messing up sometimes is bound to happen and it's okay because it wont cause me to gain 10 pounds overnight. I just made something new to eat and switched my machine at the gym for that week...until I was ready for the usual again!
Honestly, it was just about giving myself a break. No, I didn't eat like crazy the whole week or just blow off exercise all together. I was still conscious about my choices yet I backed away from the normal routine...and within that week I was ready to go again.
*I wouldn't advise this for anyone because everyone is different and unique...
But, one major change I stuck to is exercising 3 to 4 times a week instead of the 6 times I was shooting for. I know...big change. But it's worked for me. I'm still losing within my time frame. Any exercise is good since I never did it before. More would probably be better but I don't want to be burned out all the time.
Sometimes you just need a "holiday." But even when you do take a holiday or two you'll still make informed decisions because of how far you've come.
Thanks ladies, I am glad to know that I am not alone. I know that I need to give myself a break, but the sound of not working out 6 times a week kind of scares me, but I think I am gonna cut back the time, for cardio anyway. Maybe next week I will increase the strength training and just do like 20 mins to a half hour of cardio. We'll see. I feel like I could take a nap for 6 hours then eat dinner and sleep the rest of the night away. Can't though, have an interview at 4 then Survivor is on tonight (WOO HOO). I did give myself a break at the gym today! Thanks again!
Stephanie, somtimes I feel the same way. Its like there isn't enough time to get everything done that I need to. I feel fatigued all the time to. I eat good and I try and work out, but some days I just feel like a zombie.
Maybe instead of hitting the gym you could go to the pool one day, hiking another, go skating, bike outside etc.. just to make it fun again and change it up. Hope you feel better.
Maybe instead of hitting the gym you could go to the pool one day, hiking another, go skating, bike outside etc.. just to make it fun again and change it up. Hope you feel better.
Just tell Mother Nature to increase the outside temperature and let the sun out for a while...I think she missed the memo!
But like someone else mentioned, even in the gym, you could do a different machine or even just change whatever routine you currently have
But like someone else mentioned, even in the gym, you could do a different machine or even just change whatever routine you currently have
Yes, this is such a good idea. I used to do the treadmill allllll the time. Now I'm using different machines. Twice a week treadmill and twice a week elliptical. I still haven't started weight training yet...I probably should
I usually do the elliptical, the stair stepper and use the treadmil. I also do weight training and pilates. But I remember when all I used to do was run, it got soooooo boring. I definitely believe in alternating exercises to keep it from being to repetitive!
Thanks again for all of the advise everyone. I think I am taking today off. I feel like I haven't slept in days, but I have gotten plenty of sleep. I just switched BC pills (I was on the others for 3 years, these ones are cheaper, now that I don't have insurance), so I suppose that could have something to do with it. I am not making much progress this week and am a little frustrated. I know that it's not ALL about calorie deficit (there are other variables that sometimes just can't be explained), but if I were to just look at that, I should be 2 to 3 pounds down this week already! I feel like this week is down the tubes already and I am hoping that next week I will be able to kick butt!
Somtimes I wonder if I'm doing something wrong. Am I missing something in my diet? Am I doing to much...what's wrong wtih me.
I work full time, go to school at night, workout at night, try and sleep at least 7 hours at night, get up and do it all over again. I also try and eat good, but sometimes I just feel like I'm running-running, no stopping in sight sometimes it feels like.
I'm looking forward to the holidaze....I need some time off from work and school, I think.
Worn Out
