Harder to keep doing cardio as the wks go on!

Trugrit12

So I'm on week 2 going into 3 now of watching my calories, its working and I'm pretty happy with it. Working out on the other hand I have been an on again off again fan for most of my 24 yrs. I'm realizing this time however how when I get on a regiment, in the beginning, (the first few days) I'm full of energy and I'm into it! but then as the days go by I start to hate it. More over I feel like my muscles get tired faster, and its harder for me to put my mind somewhere else, all I can think about is how difficult and tiring it is! any suggestions!?

CMmrsfloyd

Have you tried taking a rest day yet? Whenever I feel that my workouts are starting to suffer, I take a day off. Usually the day after, I feel a lot more energetic for my workout. Also, make sure you find something that you really enjoy doing at the time, that helps a lot.

opajee

I agree, sometimes I take two rest days in a row just so my muscles are in top condition when I resume. I work out for about 3-5days in a row and then a 2 day break.

scarletleavy

If you don't like your workout, find a different one. Exercise is a wonderful thing to do regularly, but if you don't do something you enjoy, you won't keep it up. So whatever you're doing, stop and try some other things instead until you find something you enjoy.

Elizabeth_C34

If you don't like your workout, find a different one. Exercise is a wonderful thing to do regularly, but if you don't do something you enjoy, you won't keep it up. So whatever you're doing, stop and try some other things instead until you find something you enjoy.

This is very true.

For me, going to the gym is boring, though I do it for resistence training nonetheless. I do my cardio outdoors by hiking, biking, kayaking, trail-jogging, and long walks. I vastly prefer this to being stuck on a treadmill or elliptical.

Try to find sports or activities you really love doing.

heybales

but then as the days go by I start to hate it. More over I feel like my muscles get tired faster, and its harder for me to put my mind somewhere else, all I can think about is how difficult and tiring it is! any suggestions!?

Are you feeding your exercise, or taking the deficit MFP put into your goal calories, and the deficit the exercise is causing?

Double-deficits may be a bit much depending if MFP put your goal calories below your estimated BMR calories, and muscles would really get tired faster, and be more difficult.

This may not be a motivational problem (perhaps a little), but the real possible physiological effects could make it harder.

melrose09

If you don't like your workout, find a different one. Exercise is a wonderful thing to do regularly, but if you don't do something you enjoy, you won't keep it up. So whatever you're doing, stop and try some other things instead until you find something you enjoy.

^^^YES YES YES! I have to find new things to do all the time. Get a few workouts that you can rotate through so you don't do the same thing every time. Running is awesome, but can be daunting at first. Find some music that really gets you going and it will make a difference. I know sometimes I just keep going so I can finish the song, then another awesome song comes on, so I just keep going until that one is over. Does your gym offer group fitness? Sometimes classes can be so fun if the instructor is cool. You might want to check out a few. If you are lucky, you might find someone in the class with similar goals and struggles that you can buddy up with and help motivate each other. Just keep at it. The first month or two is a really trying time, but push through and you'll start to look forward to your work outs and get excited to see how far you can run! You got this!

piggy1115

Im in the same exact boat as you and entering same week. i just started this online program yesterday though. ive lost 11 pounds just doing cardio and im exhausted before i start. i have found that once i get past half a mile i feel a liitle better. i put on my favorite song and just try to ignore it as much as possible. dont let it discourage you....push past it. ignore it the best u can. YOU CAN DO IT.

Natihilator

Are you only doing cardio? If so maybe try to start some weight lifting. I find it utterly boring to exercise, and weight-lifting even moreso than cardio, so I like to do it by taking a BodyPump class at the gym, or my P90X videos.

The thing to do is to keep changing it up, try as many different ways of getting in that cardio as possible to keep yourself engaged. I don't really like walking the same route around my neighbourhood, so once or twice a week I drive to an area of the city I've never been before to go for an hour walk.

lacroyx

If you don't like your workout, find a different one. Exercise is a wonderful thing to do regularly, but if you don't do something you enjoy, you won't keep it up. So whatever you're doing, stop and try some other things instead until you find something you enjoy.

My cardio consists of jogging, walking, swimming, and Zumba. I don't jog on treadmills or use cardio machines. I find those boring and I'd rather suffer through all the Twilight movies back to back, with director commentary. :laugh:

When I started back in Dec. 2009 all I did was walk. It sucked. I had a hard time. I would take a day off inbetween. I'd be very tired and sore. As time went on it got better. I now force myself to take 1 day off the week to rest and do nothing.

One thing I found was a huge difference for me was getting a good pair of shoes. I didn't care about price or looks, I wanted comfort and when I did my research into it and got good shoes it made a world of difference.

Trugrit12

Thanku guys! uhg I needed some reassurance, my fiance' and I are doing this together and he keeps running longer and I'm dragging! I do take days off about every other, I have to sometimes time doesn't permit but I think I do need to change it up! Cleveland winters put a damper on going outside but my goal is more important! ok I'm going to push on, nothing worth having is easy right!?

Trugrit12

What is MFP? I'm not sure what your talking about, but you have my attention!

heybales

What is MFP? I'm not sure what your talking about, but you have my attention!

The site you have joined - My Fitness Pal (MFP)

Trugrit12

Oh duh I do usually consume the extra calories I earn through a workout, is that what you mean?

heybales

I do usually consume the extra calories I earn through a workout, is that what you mean?

Yep, good girl!

Now the issue is trying to get accurate estimate of those calories, so not eating back more.

If you really don't get into the straight exercise that much, you can do this without it. Just increase your goal level to your BMR to eat every day, and then add on normal daily activity, which is mainly fat burning and don't need to record and eat it back.
So like always park far away and walk in, take stairs, when others go out to smoke, you walk around the floor.

You can add on 200-300 cal a day with just an increase of daily activity.

Trugrit12

ah! i gotcha, I was watching something the other day and the said so&so stayed fit by always using the stairs! I will keep this front of mind! thanku!

melrose09

If you don't like your workout, find a different one. Exercise is a wonderful thing to do regularly, but if you don't do something you enjoy, you won't keep it up. So whatever you're doing, stop and try some other things instead until you find something you enjoy.

^^This is a great idea! Try mixing it up a bit. I know it's winter, but try some hiking or biking outside. There are a lot of fun workout videos out there, so good some bad, so do your research, but that will add some variety. If you go to a gym, they probably offer some group fitness classes. I started paying the extra $10/month for unlimited classes and not only do I have fun and get a good work out, but I've made some great friends with similar fitness goals and lifestyles! Friends like that are great to have on your journey to a healthy lifestyle Keep chuggin' along and your find something(s) that works best for you.