Finding the Right Balance

clicketykeys

I think I might be exercising too much. I don't get DOMS too bad, and I don't have any sharp pains. But I'm tired all the time.

In the mornings, I run. Most days it's 2-3 miles; once a week I go for a longer run (6 miles). In the evenings after work, I have exercise classes - Zumba 3 days a week and strength 2 days a week.

And then on top of that I work full-time at one job and part-time at another and I'm active in the local theater community. And I'm taking classes online to get my masters. I haven't visited with my parents (who live nearby) in probably two months. I prioritize time with my friends, too, but there just isn't much time remaining in my day.

I love everything I'm doing, and there's things that I've already cut out (writing, drawing, studying programming/coding, biking). Right now I feel like I spend a disproportionate amount of time on fitness.

I'm thinking that if I cut out my weekday AM runs, I can stay up a bit later and have more time with my husband and more time to spend with friends. Maybe go for a walk together in the evenings. I *think* if I keep up the Zumba 3x/weekly it'll give me enough regular cardio that I can manage the longer runs on the weekends, even if I'm not actually running during the week.

I don't mind getting up stupid early. But I'm tired of being tired.

IHaveMyActTogether

Remember that as much as people say that food is fuel, sleep is fuel as well.

chunkytfg

Dont forget you're rest day!

Exercising that much just for the sake of exercising i'd say is too much as would you by the very fact you've written this post in the first place.

If it was me cut down on the morning runs, maybe drop the odd evening session so you have more time with your Husband and maybe try and convince him to join you for one of those activities you gave up?

Like you said it's all about balance.

cwolfman13

Yeah...it doesn't sound like you're getting rest and recovery time...it sounds like you're basically doing two-a-days everyday of the week, or at least most. It did that for a time myself...I was riding as if I was going to go out and ride a century or 1/2 century any day of the week which meant I was riding at least 15-20 miles per week most days and 30-40 miles on weekends and lifting 3x per week among other things.

I ultimately burned out, and what was once fun and enjoyable turned into a chore...not to mention I was missing time with my family. Last January I decided to take a different approach...no more two-a-days...I lift 3x per week and I ride on non-lifting days, usually 3 days per week and I keep those rides to around 12 miles for the most part with the occasional long ride on the weekend if time/schedule allows.

Things are much more in balance now and I'm enjoying other things in life like helping to coach my eldest son's flag football team last winter, taking my kids to soccer practice, enjoying watching them play on Saturdays without worrying about my own personal fitness schedule, going on family rides and hikes, helping more with homework since I'm home, etc.

I will probably do some cycling events in the future, but part of my decision for 2018 was no events beyond 25 miles...no "training"...that's how I get sucked into spending all of my free time on the bike or in the gym. Going forward I will train for specific events rather than training year around for an event that I may or may not do.

TavistockToad

How big is your calorie deficit?

clicketykeys

Well, according to my weigh-ins for September, I don't have one. ;D

@cwolfman13 - I think that may be part of the issue. I've never really liked exercising, so it's ALWAYS been a chore. So I've never had the thought of "this isn't fun anymore."

New plan is classes Mon-Thurs afternoons, running Saturday and Sunday mornings. We'll see how it goes!

TavistockToad

clicketykeys wrote: »

Well, according to my weigh-ins for September, I don't have one. ;D

@cwolfman13 - I think that may be part of the issue. I've never really liked exercising, so it's ALWAYS been a chore. So I've never had the thought of "this isn't fun anymore."

New plan is classes Mon-Thurs afternoons, running Saturday and Sunday mornings. We'll see how it goes!

i don't know if i am impressed or saddened by you doing that much exercise when you don't like it...

clicketykeys

Well, disliking it is actually an improvement!

But being physically fit is helpful for some of the things I enjoy. I'm not a great dancer, but if I'm in a musical and I haven't been exercising, the dance numbers are EXTRA challenging. Also, I work at an amusement park, and there are certain rides that women aren't allowed to run because if they get out of alignment, the ride operator has to be the one to pull it back into place, and apparently there's the assumption that women won't have the upper body strength to do that.

In general, I like how it feels when the ordinary use of my body is challenging and I'm able to do something difficult. Additionally, I'm very aware of my mortality and being in good physical shape will help me be able to do as many of the things I love as possible for as long as possible.