I've always been someone who pushes myself, whether during a workout, setting goals or finishing a daily to-do list. Sometimes that's a good quality to have because I'm able to accomplish a lot of things (like running marathons or balancing work with the demands of raising young children.) Sometimes, it's not such a great quality to possess, because I tend to ignore the signs from my body that it's time to slow down. I've been doing a lot of ignoring lately, and I'm starting to realize that it could do more harm than good. When starting a new fitness program, it's easy to feel motivated and want to jump in with both feet. Why start with just 15 minutes of walking when 30 or 45 seem so much better? Why take a day or two of rest each week when you think you could probably push yourself to exercise every day? That might sound like a good idea at first, but decisions like these often lead to physical and mental burnout. It's no fun feeling tired and sore all the time, so exercise becomes something you dread instead of something you look forward to doing. What happened? You went from being totally motivated to unmotivated in such a short period of time. Maybe if you would have started slower and listened to your body when it was telling you it was too much, you would have had more success establishing a lasting, healthy habit. Perhaps you're someone like me who has been exercising regularly for a while. We all have those times when workouts aren't going quite as smoothly as they had been, or you just aren't seeing the progress you once were. Do you ever consider scaling back on your workouts for a few weeks, or even taking a week or two of rest (meaning active recovery, not just sitting on the couch for days on end)? People who listen closely to what their bodies are telling them often find that these periods of rest leave them prepared to come back stronger and working harder than ever. Too bad I've not been a good listener. Over the past few months, my workouts and daily routine have become increasingly difficult because I'm not giving my body the rest time that it needs. I am well-aware of what's going on, but for some reason, I struggle with doing what I know I need to do. I'm someone who likes to check off a long list of items I've completed at the end of the day. The more I've done, the more accomplished I feel- regardless of whether or not it's taking a toll on me in the long-run. I'm not trying to make it sound like my health is in danger, so I hope it doesn't seem like that. I know that I'm in good health, but there are just those little cues here and there that I need to start paying more attention to on a daily basis. I know it will leave me better off in the long run. Are you someone who listens when your body tells you it's time to slow down? Or do you try to push through it and just hope things get better?
Like what you read? Get your free account today!
Got a story idea? Give us a shout!
|
More From SparkPeople
|
Comments
Pushing past convention and stretching a limit is very good, necessary actually, to any gain in fitness and strength. Pain is the key. If it is pain, we all need to find the cause, and not proceed. If it is discomfort, the discomfort of stretching a tired or contracted muscle, or if it is the mind issuing a decree of defeat, do not listen , but persist and push through.
Report
Had a painful lesson when I walked briskly "just" 20 minutes to our local fireworks site, then 20 minutes back, plus walked around the grounds most of the waiting time, because I was afraid if I sat on the ground I would be unable to get up. My friends backed out at the last minute. I use a cane with a seat, so I did sit for short periods, but I hardly got any sleep Monday night and Tuesday was dreadful. It wasn't just the walking, but the heat, the uneven ground, the scraped pavement on side streets, and the steep hill. Oh well, live and learn. It is really hard for me to accept my limitations. This blog was very timely. Thank you. Report
Just coming out of a very acute phase of pain because one day in March, we had a nice day, and I decided to clean the enclosed front porch. Well, that felt so good that I cleaned the rest of the house. Then the next day I spent the day going up and down stairs doing laundry.
Needless to say, I have been suffering from it ever since. My mom always says, "too soon old, too late smart".
Have been doctoring with my Chiropractor, my GP, and my Massage Therapist.
Today I am hoping that we have finally fixed the problem for now, but if I am not pretty good by next week, I will have to have an MRI and then go to pain management.
All because I felt good and enthusiastic in March.
I think that finally, after this period of pain, and inactivity, I really have learned what NOT to do. Now have to find out what I can do, a little at a time.
One day at a time
Bonnie Report
Now, I'm doing more running, but I try to remember the lessons about the importance of rest. I think I do an okay job of listening to my body if no other reason than when I feel stronger it motivates me to keep going. Report
I have also been having cravings lately, for steak, lean hamburger. My doc said give in, listen to your body. Get your exercise and steak, But Do cardio 7 days a week, make sure you are outside everyday for vitamin D. Do whole body strength 3x a week within the limitations I set. The other days do less stressful strength, wrist curls, bicep curls, calf rocking with chair. shoulder shrugs etc. These will not overwork what you are developing but will keep you moving without pain. Break up exercise Morn and evening 1/2 and 1/2, they will also help with the flexibility and balance which you need.
Go eat a good steak and even a milk shake once in a while, it is good for you.
My other doctor concurred, so who am I to argue.
So now I am under doc's orders to listen to my body. Report
Exercise just does not have to be "all or nothing"! Report
I also think it is good to review the work out reports on SP to see if I am over-doing it. I can look at cardio minutes or calories burned.
One thing that also works for me is making sure I spend time each week lengthening and stretching my muscles. There are times when I feel stiff and it feels like fatigue. But after a good stretching routine or hour of yoga, and I feel recovered. Report
and not tired all the time. Report
It's also difficult to determine actual "I need to take a break" from "I'm just feeling lazy and if I make myself do it I'll feel better." But I guess it just takes practice, and sometimes you have to take a chance. Report
butyoudontlooksick (dot) com / navigation / BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory (dot) pdf
She talks from a Lupus-standpoint, but in truth, it works for many people on many levels. For someone with fibromyalgia, like me, it holds very true, too. I know that if I push myself too hard, I'll end up paying for it - sometimes for days, even weeks. I know it, and I try to keep that in mind, but sometimes I either forget or ignore it. And start my lesson all over again from square one.
My advice? Start learning that lesson, because some things in the "now" are so not worth the trouble it can cause you in the "later".
That said, sometimes the "now" far outweighs the cost of "later". The trick is learning when to make that distinction. Report