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05 May 2008

Workout filter. I've been doing an intense 6-day workout schedule (3 days weights, 3 days treadmill) without fail for the last 7 1/2 weeks. Now, part way into week 8, I really feel like I need a break. [More:]Which would be fine, except that I'm going on vacation for a week on the 16th, so I really can't afford to take any breaks before then. But ugh, my enthusiasm is waning, and it doesn't help that I look and feel pretty much the same as I did 7 1/2 weeks ago. I need inspiration to go on for 11 more days!
I'd suggest taking a two day break. Muscles need time to build. During those two days, focus on your diet. Take time to make delicious healthy things for yourself. Then, back at it, and you'll have associated before vacation that taking a break doesn't mean - the heck with it, I might as well eat anything. I'm not saying you'd do that, but just in case.

posted by rainbaby 05 May | 13:10
Yeah, that sucks when you're body's clearly telling you, "Um, okay, that's enough for now," and you're not at a good stopping point. By the way, from what I've read, 8-8.5 weeks is a long time to go without taking a break. I'm under the impression that you're supposed to go for 4-6 weeks or so and then take a week or so off and switch to a new routine. Be careful, don't overtrain, blah blah blah.

Go for it, try to keep it up for the next 11 days. I bet you can do it. But if you find yourself getting really burnt out, go ahead and stop. You don't want to turn it into more of a chore or you'll have trouble getting yourself back into it when you come back from vacation.

So I don't know if this is inspirational, but: try! But not too hard!
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas 05 May | 13:12
Think how great it will be when you ditch all this work out jazz in 11 days.
Relief is one of life's few reliable guaranteed pleasures.
posted by ethylene 05 May | 13:16
I just bought an ipod and filled it with cheesy but inspirational workout music (Eye of the Tiger, Fighter, My Prerogative). It has helped bring my enthusiasm for working out back up.
posted by amro 05 May | 13:18
I know how you feel, JanetLand. I've been working out and eating properly for months and haven't lost an ounce or an inch. It's very disheartening.

And my vacation starts on the 16th too. I want to give up now, but know if I do, I could gain 10lbs in the next ten days, when I haven't been able to lose a single pound in the last ten weeks.

Not fair!
posted by essexjan 05 May | 13:20
Are you all varying your routine or doing the same routine every day you work out?

When I've gotten stuck at a plateau - either a boredom plateau or a weight-loss plateau - I've found that sprinkling in some interval workouts, some longer time/slower pace workouts, and some shorter time/more intense pace workouts has kicked things into gear and created more interest.

When you get bored, it's also a good time to switch it up a little - like, try switching from nautilus to free weights for certain activities (or in the other direction) mixing up your cardio (walking, biking, swimming, running, elliptical, rowing), taking a class or two instead of your usual thing.

Also, when I'm actually training, I tend to do a 3-week build, 1-week 'rest' cycle, which keeps things moving along nicely. I don't mean 'rest' as in not work out, but that week becomes a recovery week. So for the first 3 weeks in the cycle, I use the 10% rule - increase effort or duration 10% over the week before - and the 4th week, drop back to the last cycle's 3rd-week levels.

This seems to keep the body guessing, but also allows it to repair and rebuild. The start of the next cycle always feels stronger after the 'rest' week.

You guys are inspiring me to get back in the game again. I've gone soft. :(
posted by Miko 05 May | 13:36
Are you all varying your routine or doing the same routine every day you work out?

When I've gotten stuck at a plateau - either a boredom plateau or a weight-loss plateau - I've found that sprinkling in some interval workouts, some longer time/slower pace workouts, and some shorter time/more intense pace workouts has kicked things into gear and created more interest.

When you get bored, it's also a good time to switch it up a little - like, try switching from nautilus to free weights for certain activities (or in the other direction) mixing up your cardio (walking, biking, swimming, running, elliptical, rowing), taking a class or two instead of your usual thing.

Also, when I'm actually training, I tend to do a 3-week build, 1-week 'rest' cycle, which keeps things moving along nicely. I don't mean 'rest' as in not work out, but that week becomes a recovery week. So for the first 3 weeks in the cycle, I use the 10% rule - increase effort or duration 10% over the week before - and the 4th week, drop back to the last cycle's 3rd-week levels.

This seems to keep the body guessing, but also allows it to repair and rebuild. The start of the next cycle always feels stronger after the 'rest' week.

You guys are inspiring me to get back in the game again. I've gone soft. :(
posted by Miko 05 May | 13:36
I have been primarily doing video workouts from the Ripped series by Jari Love for the weights. For the treadmill, I walk/run for about 45 minutes while watching DVDs or something I taped on tv.

I did think about mixing things up a little (although you'll never get me on a bike or swimming or even to a gym), but it feels more like I'm just tired of working out, period, rather than the particular workouts I do. Still, just yammering about it is helping.

posted by JanetLand 05 May | 13:56
Try varying what you do on the treadmill. I really recommend that interval workout. one you can do is warm up walking slow for 5 minutes, then pick up the pace to a fast walk for 1 minute, drop to a medium-slow walk again for 1 minute, and do that rotation 3 or 4 times. Then take a 4-minute break walking very slow.

If you can you can jog or run during the fast section. The great thing about this workout is that you can stand anything for only a minute.

These workouts always seem sort of magic to me. They are very effective somehow. You feel a real sense of accomplishment when done.

Also, any chance you can walk outside? It's a beautiful day in the Great State O'!
posted by Miko 05 May | 15:04
You're body needs to recuperate, and it's telling you it needs a break. I'm not an excercise junkie (far be it), but Mr. V is a gym rat, and he makes sure to take time off to give the muscles time to heal. He says you've been hitting it pretty good, but once your heart isn't into it, it's easy to injure yourself. Maybe take a couple of days and just walk as opposed to anything else; vary the walking speed to keep it interesting.
posted by redvixen 05 May | 18:54
Take two days off. YOu cannot afford NOT to.
posted by bunnyfire 05 May | 19:37
If anyone's still reading, I ended up taking yesterday off from working out and went and bought pants instead. Plus two new sports bras, just to keep it workout-related. :) I also decided to take rainbaby's advice about rethinking my diet.

Today I decided to take a day off from work, another thing I've done too much of and am tired of. Wheee!
posted by JanetLand 06 May | 07:37
Tom Waits is going on tour! || Lost. (not the show).

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