Feeling so TIRED this week :(

[SunsetRunner]

I work behind a desk and have always had a rather sedentary lifestyle.  I would work out here and there, maybe 2-4 times a week, while doing nothing on the other days of the week.  Last spring I got my fitbit HR and lost some weight by either walking or mountain biking.  I had minor surgery in the summer and was on estrogen for a few weeks, which seemed to set me back a bit.  Once it got cold out, I stopped the bike riding and resorted to just walking, maybe 5-6 days a week while doing nothing on the other days. 

I gained weight over the holidays and decided to pump it up in January.  Since January 2nd, I have gotten at least 30 minutes in every day (usually more than that), while doing more muscle work and jogging.  I gained a pound or 2 but my body fat percentage went down, so I am happy.  My pants are fitting better.  I don't know if it's the lack of sunshine or what, but this week I am TIRED.  Yesterday I just walked.  This morning I got up & did the muscle routine followed by tredmill but I struggled with running.  I am dreading my lunch time walk that is half an hour away.  Should I just take a day off completely tomorrow?  Or should I just do a lunch time walk? I'm afraid if I stop completely for a day I will fall off the workout mode I've been enjoying.  Help!  ZZZzzzz

[Rachel1827]

I can completely sympathize with your situation, though I have no experience with surgery or estrogen- that must have been pretty difficult, to say the least.

However, I am almost always exhausted as a highschool student in a prep school... I don't know if you have a motivating song that you listen to in order to get you going, but personally, this cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iki7D9FgS20 really inspires me.

If you are not a musical person, then talking to a friend, someone who will get you up and running can be extremely beneficial. My mom also uses her fitbit, and last night, even, we went to the mall and walked laps until we got to 10,000 steps together. 

Also, when I was complaining to my sister once that I was SO TIRED, and couldn't POSSIBLY run or work out, she said, "Then get up and do it, dummy. (Oh so kind, haha) It reverse psychology. If you run, you release endorphens and get really happy and energized afterward." 

This leads me to my final and most important point. Your brain is an enourmous enigma, but one thing is positive. It is so easy for one to get caught up in a vicious cycle. What it sounds like to me (and I hate assuming, but this is just what I'm thinking), is that from the time you got your surgery, things have gotten a bit less lighter, and working out has seemed more like a chore than something that could be fun. Then you get to the overthinking and "should, could, would have" thoughts. "I should have ran," "I should have worked more," "Should, should should." These thoughts are self-deprocating and drag you down even further. This applies to everyone who gets out of the loop when working out. The most important thing to do for yourself is accept, forgive, and try again. It can be extremely difficult, but it does a lot more help than harm.

I hope I wasn't reading to much into this, and that this was a really long response, but I hope this was in the least but helpful!

[MBfitness]

It's important to listen to your body, and let it rest when you've been pushing it - go for a low intensity walk at lunchtime if you feel it will help you to stay in the zone, but don't worry about taking a day off working out as it will mean you'll be recharged to hit the workouts afterwards with your best effort. Maybe do half an hour of yoga (using a youtube video) if you have time, I like to use this on rest days to keep me moving and reduce tensions and stresses built up in muscles. But be proud of the progress you've made and remember it can't all be lost in one day.

[Heggybhoy82]

I know what you mean I only really started  over a week ago and I ran 2miles  and walked 5miles today i think I overdid it.

[emili]

Hey @SunsetRunner I am wondering if you are mentally tired or physically tired. Sometimes our mind tells us what we feel but its not really the reality of what we physically feel. For example, Saturday mornings I run 6 miles. There are mornings where I have a running monologue with myself the whole way to the gym about maybe just 3 miles and the rest on the eliptical. Or I'll walk on an incline, etc etc. And then I get there and I start and just keep going and going until I am done. My mind was screaming I don't want to, but somehow my body did it. If it's your body, take a break, but if there is even a small chance its your mind, give it some other interesting things to ponder and go sweat.

[PastaLuver14]

Good job at trying to keep at it. That is the good part.  I just want to ask, do you ever listen to music while your on a walk or doing whatever exercise?  Sometimes that can help in getting motivated. Not thinking about what you have to do or are doing....just getting distracted and going. I always have music on me when doing exercising. Especially when running, I have to have it! It just pumps me up and entertians me.   If you already listen to music....i do recommend in general a day off here and there. Otherwise you can overtain which means giving your body more work or stress than it can handle. Try to do a balance.

I am a full time 7 day a week dog walker. No days off. I am out there for several hours during the day and late afternoon. The only times I am home is for lunch and a quick nap. I do get tired sometimes,but then I just turn on my music and that usually helps. It's normal to get tired.....we are human! 

[SunsetRunner]

I know exactly what you mean @emili!  It's definately my body.  I find when I'm mentally tired & push through, I tend to have the best workouts.  That's not what's happening here. For those of you who asked, I always have dance/rave music going, and when there's a song on Pandora that really gets me going, I'll save it to my playlist so I can play it any time.  Nothing was really working so I decided to take the day off.

I still woke up at quarter to five today but I did not get up & work out.  I will do a 40 minute walk at lunch.  Hoping the sunshine today will help too (first sunshine in probably a week).  We'll see how I do tomorrow.  Thanks for all of the words of encouragement!