Why is working out so hard for me??

mauck7

I'm really upset right now... I found myself in tears earlier reading that everyone thought 6 week 6 pack was simple and I need to vent....

Just a quick background:
In high school I was 5'4 about 115 lbs and had a hard time with any sport. Any activity of endourance I can hardly handle. I run and I can't breath, Im not athletic at all. I tried track but after the first mile my face was bright red and I was having such a hard time breathing people gathered around me like I was dying.

I'm not that overweight. I have just been working out trying to lose this damn last 20lbs of baby weight. All I hear is how "EASY" the workout I am doing is.
The funny part (to everyone but me), I put every ounce of my effort into it and I can barely move afterward. Im dripping in sweat, im trying to catch my breath... I can barely walk to the shower after Im finished. It's been over a week. Im active ( have a 7 month old and a 2 yr old).

Yet, EVERYONE says how easy it is. I'm just going to quit commenting and posting about workouts. I feel so accomplished after I work my tail off..... only to hear how simple it is!!!!!!


Hope you all have a good evening/morning/day...

jvkh127

Don't get discouraged. Just because something is easy for one person doesn't mean it is easy for everyone. Do it at your pace and just keep up your routine. The results will come and you will be so happy you kept up with it!!! Stay strong don't give up on yourself!!

NuttyBrewnette

Sorry you're having a hard time. :frown: But don't give up. It will get easier in time. Keep at it. You're getting stronger with every step, every work out......don't give up, channel your :explode: frustration for good.

Wish I had more to say/offer, but I don't. Just don't give up. WE CAN DO THIS!

Schwiggity

Could you post some details of what it is you're doing for a workout? Just because you're not very overweight doesn't mean you'll automatically have incredible cardiovascular endurance. It takes time to build up.

aflane

Stop listening to "everyone". Everyone isn't YOU... and everyone is different. Do your workouts at YOUR pace. Think baby steps. You have to build strength and endurance, it doesn't come naturally for anyone. Instead of trying to do this daunting workout, do something else. You should challenge yourself, but not to the point of tears.

TropicalKitty

We all have activities that are harder for some than others. I've never been a runner. And I think I've resigned myself to knowing that I'm not made to run, but I know that I can ride a bike pretty well. (Ok, after I got my tushy accustomed to the seat again...) I rocked at bike riding when I was young, but couldn't run, play soccer, basketball...just wasn't me. I accept that.

So, maybe there is something you are doing that your body just disagrees with. Or maybe you need more time to get used to it. I didn't catch how long you said you've been doing your work out, so if it is new, give your body a chance to get used to the type of activities.

And for the red faced thing, oh honey, I am queen. I think about working out and I turn red. It's normal for some of us. I wear it like a badge now - people can look at me funny all they want, that's their problem.

Keep rocking out and don't let the nay sayers get ya down!

mauck7

Thanks :-) You guys are nice.

Mamapengu

Well, I'm not sure what you are doing that is "so easy" but please working out is HARD, it's hard to find/make the time, it's hard to convince others/yourself that you need to do this and it's really hard to actually use muscles most of us never used in the first place. (Come on, I walked up those hills in PE class just like the majority of the rest of the class. ) Sweating is hard work and don't let anyone tell you different. I can't do a pushup now- not one, can't do a lot of things. But, I'm working out and I can now run up hills, and can run for 13 miles.
Please don't give up- it's only you that will pay in the long run. They can just go on doing their easy workouts and be quiet while the rest of us huff and puff.

Elizabeth_C34

Firstly, do not let other people's comments get to you like this. You're doing your own thing. What's difficult for you is not for them, so what? You're in it for you! You can't let them get you down or they will win.

Secondly, endurance has to be earned like a life savings. You can't expect to be able to run 5 miles nonstop just because you're thin. There are a lot of thin people who aren't able to do that and a lot of heavier people who can run 10. It's a matter of conditioning, and it takes a lot of hard work for anyone to build up to it. There's absolutely nothing wrong with starting where you are and finding that difficult. Just stick to it, and keep a good attitude when working out and it'll get easier as time goes on

I started my workouts barely able to burn 250 calories in an hour without feeling like I was going to die. My gym is full of uber-fit fitness models, boxers, and body builders who sometimes looked at me like I was pathetic. But, I'm sticking with it every day, rain or shine, whether I feel like it or not. Now, I burn 800-1000 calories per workout five times a week after just 3 weeks of training. I'm still pushing harder every single time, and some of those folks who made "the face" at me when I started are coming up to me saying really encouraging things. If I could do it, you can definitely do it too.

Keep your chin up girl and don't you dare give up on yourself.

Schwiggity

How long have the people who are saying this is easy been working out? When we first start working out, it's a b****. It gets easier though as long as you stick with it.

Kityngirl

You might want to discuss it with your doc. I was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma when I was in my teens and I was always athletic and active, but couldn't breathe or keep up any intense endurance for any amount of time. I now use an inhaler before I workout and I generally get physically tired before I have to stop for my breathing, but this has taken me over a year to condition. Could be something you just have to work up to slowly, pushing a little more each week or two until you get up to the endurance you would like. Or it could actually be a medical issue. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

maureendonahue

Please don't compare yourself to others who say it is "easy"! I know it is not! I was told that to be most effective, I needed to do 60 min. of cardio per day. Well, I was excited to be able to do 20 min.! And at the end of those 20 min. I was wiped out. But I kept at it and am now up to 40 min. It has taken me a week to get this far but I am actually starting to enjoy it. I can't believe I just typed that!

Don't give up. Do what you can comfortably, then push a little harder. Just not so hard you hurt yourself.

Good luck and know you always have the support of your MFP friends!

UpToAnyCool

Hello - I just wanted to remind you that whatever you are doing now, exercise-wise, is better than what you were doing before, right?
Your fitness level will improve as you go - I'm sorry you feel bad that something is hard for you now that seems not to be such a challenge for others, but it's important to remember that this is about you, your improvement and reaching your own fitness benchmarks and goals!! :flowerforyou:

I don't think this will make you feel better, but I'm an unfit flabbeh lady that is way older than you and I'm sure you can kick my azz at any exercise, except perhaps quad roller skating or competitive chicken wing eating... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

The_Saint

I learned a lot from Poe the dragon warrior on Kung Fu Panda. It's not easy for everyone. Some of us fumble though it. But that does not define who we are. What ultimately matters is that you are making an effort. Some people can not find the strength to do that. You will succeed, and here is why.

While everyone else complains about the load they carry, you stand up asking for the strength to carry the load.

Be proud, settle for even small victories. You will succeed.

mauck7

Kung fu Panda.. I love that movie.

The_Saint

Then I think you know exactly what I mean.
Poe....the dragon warrior? But he was wasn't he? He just kept pushing.

You can do it too.

TropicalKitty

Then I think you know exactly what I mean.
Poe....the dragon warrior? But he was wasn't he? He just kept pushing.

You can do it too.

See? Cartoons aren't just for your kiddos, OP!

mauck7

I can do it dang it!! My flipping slogan is I'm losing it "because I can"..... Why am I letting these people make me feel like this? Losing 7 lbs in month is not bad ( I'm not putting my current loss in until my weigh day :-)

I GOT THIS!

Ok, Im back. Thanks for letting me vent everyone. I feel soooo much better!!

suzooz

I can do it dang it!! My flipping slogan is I'm losing it "because I can"..... Why am I letting these people make me feel like this? Losing 7 lbs in month is not bad ( I'm not putting my current loss in until my weigh day :-)

I GOT THIS!

Ok, Im back. Thanks for letting me vent everyone. I feel soooo much better!!

That's the spirit! Our bodies are all different. What's easy for some, isn't easy for others. Find something that works for you and keep at it -- then challenge yourself again!

SilentRenegade

It's really demotivating when people are like "OMG yeah I run 4 miles every morning it's sooo easy!" Of course it's easy for them. They've probably been doing it for a long time and are used to it. I run 4 minutes and I'm ready to take a seat on the curb. But I don't let it bother me. I turn it into a joke. "Yeah? That's cool, I can't even run four feet or I'd pass out!" Generally it lightens the mood on both ends. (Please note: there are jerks in the world, but nobody likes them)

I saw some of the 6 week 6 pack you're talking about... it does NOT look easy. At least to me. I think the only reason I was making it through Insanity when I was doing it is because he gives you breaks and there's a nice stretching period in there. I also stopped if I couldn't keep going. I used to get really upset when I played sports in high school because some girls could run fast and long distances, but I felt like I was never going to be able to do it.
I realize now that doing that kind of thing takes a lot of hard work, and those girls had been playing sports since they were like 5 years old.
Also somebody did say earlier about exercise induced asthma. I was diagnosed with this when I was 16. I haven't really had an issue with it in the last year or so, though, but it could be something to look into.