Another exercise question. (and an update)

Jess... · 10-08-2007, 07:28 AM

Hi everyone!

As summer is well on it's way here, I have started a panicked "get-fit-before-Christmas" exercise/diet plan.

I have been at it for a week now, and still going [sort of] strong! I haven't noticed any changes in my body, but I can do a whole lot of bicep curls now, before I get tired! haha.

The thing is though, tonight, in the middle of my workout, I burst into tears uncontrollably. I don't know why, I just did. And wailed things like "It's too hard, it's not worth it!" and "I have so much to lose, I'll never do this!"

There was no warning, (other than a quick "uh-oh here come the waterworks") and I just sobbed. It was a really low point, and I really considered giving up then and there - as I was tired, hurting, and really, really puffed out!

But I kept going until I really couldn't take it any longer. I wiped my face and sat down and had a relax. I just can't shake the thought of my "breakdown". Does anyone know why this happened? I haven't been under any undue stress, just the "oh look how many calories that has" and "I have to go for a walk this afternoon straight after work. I have to" kind of thoughts. Constantly.

I'm really scared this is going to happen again. This is the longest I have ever stuck to regular exercise, and I am trying really hard to stick with it, and keep going. I don't want another breakdown to make me go "right, that's it, I've had enough, it's not worth it".

And on a more postive note - I hopped on the scales tonight (after the breakdown) and I've lost. Only a teeny tiny bit - not even a kilo, but I've lost!

Lana0120 · 10-08-2007, 07:59 AM

Hey there. You didn't have a breakdown. You just had an emotional moment. As well as exercising, make sure you're eating right and make sure you're not becoming obsessed with the weight loss. *hugs*

Jess... · 10-08-2007, 08:07 AM

Thanks Lana. I am trying so hard to eat right, and I think I am becoming a little obsessed. But I'm working on that. Gosh this whole losing weight by exercise thing is so hard! It's ok to think about it, like I think to myself "when I get home today, I'll do this and this, and that" but it's easier said than done!

Lana0120 · 10-08-2007, 08:09 AM

I know. It's easy to make plans but when you feel tired or you have something better to do, it can certainly take away the motivation. At the moment, I've had no problems exercising, as I have waaaay too much time on my hands. However, things are starting to get busy for me now, so I'll probably start having a tough time again. I remember reading one post where it suggested working out as soon as you come home from work. Personally, that's not something I'd do, I prefer chilling out for a little while, then doing it an hour or two after dinner, but that could be something for you to think about if you're afraid you'll lose the motivation.

Jess... · 10-08-2007, 08:17 AM

I think that's a great idea for me - and I try, but I walk in the door, I have to do this, I have to do that - like you, I want to chill for a minute. But I try! lol.

I can get the motivation, but it's just keeping it throughout the whole workout. I get about halfway through, where it begins to hurt/burn (i.e. really work the muscles, not just doing it half-heartedly) and I think "Oh man, this is too hard, that's it." I never actually stop - unless I've been at it for at least half an hour - but those sort of thoughts are just really negative, and hard to deal with.

Daligal83 · 10-08-2007, 08:21 AM

I think you're putting too much pressure on yourself. Instead of thinking of exercising as a way to burn off the calories you just looked at on the nutrition facts, look at it as a way to make yourself healthy. It's just part of your daily (or almost daily) routine just like showering, eating and sleeping. If you don't set up that expectation of you'll burn this many calories or loose this amount of weight in a certain amount of time, you won't have as much pressure on yourself and you won't get disappointed in your results. If your goal is to be healthy and feel good, exercise will become more of a fun, stress relieving activity than a forced, emotional one.

Also, be careful watching your weight. Since you're lifting weights (which is great!), that weighs more than fat so your actual weight may not fall as fast as you want. I know I actually put on two pounds in two months, but my body fat percentage fell by 2.3%. Concentrate more on how you feel, your endurance, and how your clothes fit.

Jess... · 10-08-2007, 08:27 AM

Thanks Daligal83. I am putting a lot pf pressure on myself, I know it. I just keep thinking "I want to look like [a certain way] by Christmas". And if that doesn't happen, I will be majorly dissappointed.

I haven't cheated on the diet yet, but I get these thoughts that if I have a packet of chips, or a chocolate bar I will think "well, there goes the whole diet, how many calories did I just shovel in! Now it'll take [however many weeks] to lose the weight". Same thoughts if I don't exercise in a day. If I miss a day, I think "gosh, how much time have I wasted, and how many kilos have I just stacked on!"

Can anyone help with these thoughts?

Lana0120 · 10-08-2007, 08:30 AM

Yeah, I think you may be doing that too. I exercise, ache a little and feel some strain, but I don't push myself as hard as you do. Maybe you need to ease up on your routine a little. If you make it easier and build it up a bit, you won't get so emotional or find it as hard to get motivated.

Jess... · 10-08-2007, 08:34 AM

^^^ I would like to, but then the "if you don't work as hard, you won't lose as much" or "it's burning so you stop. well that won't help - you won't lose anything!" thoughts creep in. Grr this is so frustrating!

Do I have a serious problem here? I'm starting to worry...

just M.E. · 10-08-2007, 08:37 AM

Jess,
work up with lighter weights, do reps, say 12 is a good example, so that by the 2 or 3rd set of 12 you are the feeling the start of the burn by the end. give yourself a short recovery between each set of rep, like 1 minute.

1 lb, less than a kilo! that's great look at it this if you keep that going for a length of time, how much weight that will be .. I have averaged 3 kilo a month for 4 months .... just stay determined, don't give up ... if I can do this at my age you can do it better, I know you can.

Like life a diet is often full of mistakes, just get back on track, it doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to keep going and you will really do well, it is more learning a new way to live and eat.

10-08-2007, 07:28 AM	#1
Jess... Offline Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: I come from the land down under! Gender: Female Posts: 1,157	Another exercise question. (and an update) Hi everyone! As summer is well on it's way here, I have started a panicked "get-fit-before-Christmas" exercise/diet plan. I have been at it for a week now, and still going [sort of] strong! I haven't noticed any changes in my body, but I can do a whole lot of bicep curls now, before I get tired! haha. The thing is though, tonight, in the middle of my workout, I burst into tears uncontrollably. I don't know why, I just did. And wailed things like "It's too hard, it's not worth it!" and "I have so much to lose, I'll never do this!" There was no warning, (other than a quick "uh-oh here come the waterworks") and I just sobbed. It was a really low point, and I really considered giving up then and there - as I was tired, hurting, and really, really puffed out! But I kept going until I really couldn't take it any longer. I wiped my face and sat down and had a relax. I just can't shake the thought of my "breakdown". Does anyone know why this happened? I haven't been under any undue stress, just the "oh look how many calories that has" and "I have to go for a walk this afternoon straight after work. I have to" kind of thoughts. Constantly. I'm really scared this is going to happen again. This is the longest I have ever stuck to regular exercise, and I am trying really hard to stick with it, and keep going. I don't want another breakdown to make me go "right, that's it, I've had enough, it's not worth it". And on a more postive note - I hopped on the scales tonight (after the breakdown) and I've lost. Only a teeny tiny bit - not even a kilo, but I've lost! __________________ Sometimes it's the risk of getting hurt that's beautiful...

10-08-2007, 08:07 AM	#3
Jess... Offline Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: I come from the land down under! Gender: Female Posts: 1,157	Thanks Lana. I am trying so hard to eat right, and I think I am becoming a little obsessed. But I'm working on that. Gosh this whole losing weight by exercise thing is so hard! It's ok to think about it, like I think to myself "when I get home today, I'll do this and this, and that" but it's easier said than done! __________________ Sometimes it's the risk of getting hurt that's beautiful...

10-08-2007, 08:17 AM	#5
Jess... Offline Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: I come from the land down under! Gender: Female Posts: 1,157	I think that's a great idea for me - and I try, but I walk in the door, I have to do this, I have to do that - like you, I want to chill for a minute. But I try! lol. I can get the motivation, but it's just keeping it throughout the whole workout. I get about halfway through, where it begins to hurt/burn (i.e. really work the muscles, not just doing it half-heartedly) and I think "Oh man, this is too hard, that's it." I never actually stop - unless I've been at it for at least half an hour - but those sort of thoughts are just really negative, and hard to deal with. __________________ Sometimes it's the risk of getting hurt that's beautiful...

10-08-2007, 08:21 AM	#6
Daligal83 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Gender: Female Age: 26 Posts: 3,031	I think you're putting too much pressure on yourself. Instead of thinking of exercising as a way to burn off the calories you just looked at on the nutrition facts, look at it as a way to make yourself healthy. It's just part of your daily (or almost daily) routine just like showering, eating and sleeping. If you don't set up that expectation of you'll burn this many calories or loose this amount of weight in a certain amount of time, you won't have as much pressure on yourself and you won't get disappointed in your results. If your goal is to be healthy and feel good, exercise will become more of a fun, stress relieving activity than a forced, emotional one. Also, be careful watching your weight. Since you're lifting weights (which is great!), that weighs more than fat so your actual weight may not fall as fast as you want. I know I actually put on two pounds in two months, but my body fat percentage fell by 2.3%. Concentrate more on how you feel, your endurance, and how your clothes fit. __________________ Have no fear of perfection, you'll never reach it. ~Salvador Dali~ "If you can't trust, then you can't be trusted" -Ben Folds

10-08-2007, 08:27 AM	#7
Jess... Offline Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: I come from the land down under! Gender: Female Posts: 1,157	Thanks Daligal83. I am putting a lot pf pressure on myself, I know it. I just keep thinking "I want to look like [a certain way] by Christmas". And if that doesn't happen, I will be majorly dissappointed. I haven't cheated on the diet yet, but I get these thoughts that if I have a packet of chips, or a chocolate bar I will think "well, there goes the whole diet, how many calories did I just shovel in! Now it'll take [however many weeks] to lose the weight". Same thoughts if I don't exercise in a day. If I miss a day, I think "gosh, how much time have I wasted, and how many kilos have I just stacked on!" Can anyone help with these thoughts? __________________ Sometimes it's the risk of getting hurt that's beautiful... Last edited by Jess...; 10-08-2007 at 08:32 AM.

10-08-2007, 07:59 AM	#2
Lana0120 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 3,465	Hey there. You didn't have a breakdown. You just had an emotional moment. As well as exercising, make sure you're eating right and make sure you're not becoming obsessed with the weight loss. hugs

10-08-2007, 08:09 AM	#4
Lana0120 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 3,465	I know. It's easy to make plans but when you feel tired or you have something better to do, it can certainly take away the motivation. At the moment, I've had no problems exercising, as I have waaaay too much time on my hands. However, things are starting to get busy for me now, so I'll probably start having a tough time again. I remember reading one post where it suggested working out as soon as you come home from work. Personally, that's not something I'd do, I prefer chilling out for a little while, then doing it an hour or two after dinner, but that could be something for you to think about if you're afraid you'll lose the motivation.

10-08-2007, 08:30 AM	#8
Lana0120 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 3,465	Yeah, I think you may be doing that too. I exercise, ache a little and feel some strain, but I don't push myself as hard as you do. Maybe you need to ease up on your routine a little. If you make it easier and build it up a bit, you won't get so emotional or find it as hard to get motivated.

10-08-2007, 08:34 AM	#9
Jess... Offline Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: I come from the land down under! Gender: Female Posts: 1,157	^^^ I would like to, but then the "if you don't work as hard, you won't lose as much" or "it's burning so you stop. well that won't help - you won't lose anything!" thoughts creep in. Grr this is so frustrating! Do I have a serious problem here? I'm starting to worry... __________________ Sometimes it's the risk of getting hurt that's beautiful...

10-08-2007, 08:37 AM	#10
just M.E. Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Gender: Female Age: 57 Posts: 1,741	Jess, work up with lighter weights, do reps, say 12 is a good example, so that by the 2 or 3rd set of 12 you are the feeling the start of the burn by the end. give yourself a short recovery between each set of rep, like 1 minute. 1 lb, less than a kilo! that's great look at it this if you keep that going for a length of time, how much weight that will be .. I have averaged 3 kilo a month for 4 months .... just stay determined, don't give up ... if I can do this at my age you can do it better, I know you can. Like life a diet is often full of mistakes, just get back on track, it doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to keep going and you will really do well, it is more learning a new way to live and eat. __________________ Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. "Life goes not backward, nor tarries with yesterday" - Kahil Gibran