how do you fight a BURN OUT?

kseier
kseier Posts: 91 Member
edited November 10 in Motivation and Support
like when you're sick of EVERYTHING. just don't wanna track anymore. don't wanna do a workout. don't wanna go to work or school. like what do you do for a pick-me-up? or ways to keep things entertaining?

Replies

  • cmeade20
    cmeade20 Posts: 1,238 Member
    Shop
  • PinkEarthMama
    PinkEarthMama Posts: 987 Member
    New Music.

    And go back and remember WHY you're doing this.
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    I say to my MFPeeps: I don't wanna do this any more! *whine* and they say, "GTFO and get moving!" and then I'm fine.
  • cchardt
    cchardt Posts: 21 Member
    I have been feeling the same way for about 2 weeks too. Just not motivated. Need to get out of this slump!!
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Take a day off. Or a week.
  • akjmart2002
    akjmart2002 Posts: 263 Member
    I go climbing. It does a body and mind some good.
  • jenniebean1680
    jenniebean1680 Posts: 350 Member
    Take a week off.

    Not kidding! Burnout like that is your body and mind telling you it needs more rest than you're giving it, and you're cruising for an injury, illness, or chronic metabolic issue.
  • jenniebean1680
    jenniebean1680 Posts: 350 Member
    p.s. this sounds like depression. Vitamin D?
  • PeggysDad
    PeggysDad Posts: 105
    I make a deal with myself that I'll start my workout, and if after 10 minutes I still want to stop, then I will. Never have stopped because usually the workout livens me up and I feel much better.
  • maemiller
    maemiller Posts: 439 Member
    usually ill stay away for a few days then jump back in.
  • sarah_ep
    sarah_ep Posts: 580 Member
    I buy new shoes, or a new workout outfit to help get me excited about it again.

    Also, there are some great Women with Muscles threads on here I go check out.
  • Hambone23
    Hambone23 Posts: 486 Member
    /bump
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Take a day off. Or a week.

    ^ I'd take a full week off of both training and diet and food tracking, assuming you won't be doing any massive binging for the entire week.
  • sheepysaccount
    sheepysaccount Posts: 608 Member
    if it's a true burn-out you need to see a doctor. if it's just a minor blah week, do something new, a new show to watch, sleep, dvd day...anything...
  • darylinny
    darylinny Posts: 146
    I book a trip somewhere where sun, sand and bathing suits are an everyday occurance.
  • kennethmgreen
    kennethmgreen Posts: 1,759 Member
    With a stand up wheelie.
  • treatingmybodyright
    treatingmybodyright Posts: 184 Member
    I had just posted something similar, my MFP friend! I've come to realize that each time I try to follow a program to a tee (I'm an at-home exerciser, with no option for gym workouts, etc.), I get burned out around Week 6, so I've decided that as long as I am consistently exercising, it doesn't really matter what program I'm doing or if I finish it exactly as it's outlined. Now, I probably won't get the same results as advertised, but if I'm burned out, then I need to change it up.

    I also get burned out when I'm just plain tired. It's hard to get up early every day, hit the gym, work, go to school, take care of children, be with SO, and spread our attention around in other ways. So maybe you need to simplify life a bit, remember why you started this journey in the first place, and try a different approach--maybe exercising every other day rather than every day, at least for a week or two, and perhaps trying a new program. I have to keep telling myself that this is for life, not for the next 90 days, so if I don't finish a 90-day program in 90 days, no worries. I'll finish it in 100 or 120 days if that's what it takes.
  • nerdyandilikeit
    nerdyandilikeit Posts: 2,185 Member
    Find a balance between doing EVERYTHING and doing NOTHING. Doing nothing almost always leads to going backwards. I learned that the hard way. Lower your expectations to do everything perfectly. Figure out what you can do and what you can't and do it the best you can.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    Take two days off. After two days of doing nothing, you should be feeling pretty gross and sluggish. Remind yourself that this is how you used to feel all the time. Think about how much better you feel now. Then, go buy some new workout gear and flaunt it in the gym!
    You rock & you can do this!!
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    Sex always fixes it for me
  • kseier
    kseier Posts: 91 Member
    wow thanks everyone! i am clincally diagnosed as bipolar so when i hit these streaks theyre bad. but when im on my highs, life is GOOOOOOD. so i dont wanna medicate myself because it will take my high energy motivated grandiose i can do anythnig self to a dull roar. dont want that. sure id love to feel better in my down days, but it wouldnt be worth it when im on my highs to get those taken down.

    also, yes vitamin d wheover mentioned that. i live in north dakota and stopped tanning months ago. no vitamin d to speak of, need t start supplementing i think. or just buy one session at a time and get a quick 15 min fix one-2 times a week....
  • ladykate7
    ladykate7 Posts: 206 Member
    wow thanks everyone! i am clincally diagnosed as bipolar so when i hit these streaks theyre bad. but when im on my highs, life is GOOOOOOD. so i dont wanna medicate myself because it will take my high energy motivated grandiose i can do anythnig self to a dull roar. dont want that. sure id love to feel better in my down days, but it wouldnt be worth it when im on my highs to get those taken down.

    also, yes vitamin d wheover mentioned that. i live in north dakota and stopped tanning months ago. no vitamin d to speak of, need t start supplementing i think. or just buy one session at a time and get a quick 15 min fix one-2 times a week....

    I'm in pretty much the EXACT same boat. Just starting to yank myself up out of a nasty week of depression. I watched a documtentary on the founder of AA and he mentioned that Niacin helped with his depression- I talked with my dr about it and she said it'd be fine to take it as a supplement everyday. Sun and exersice and sleep are supposed to be very important for those of us who have a bipolar disorder.

    Its hard to be gentle with yourself when your in the throes of this sort of thing and unless you have the disorder its hard to understand. A few days off might work for most people but for me it tends to encourage a sharp downward spiralThe down days require something different than only willpower to get off your lazy butt, Give your self kudos for the tiny things you manage to do, focusing on what you did do instead of the things you should do but didn't.

    Brushed your teeth? Awesome! Took a shower? Awesome!, Opened the door and took a big sniff of fresh air and shut the door again? Awesome! Did some stretching? Awesome! - Its something. A place to start.
  • kseier
    kseier Posts: 91 Member
    wow thanks everyone! i am clincally diagnosed as bipolar so when i hit these streaks theyre bad. but when im on my highs, life is GOOOOOOD. so i dont wanna medicate myself because it will take my high energy motivated grandiose i can do anythnig self to a dull roar. dont want that. sure id love to feel better in my down days, but it wouldnt be worth it when im on my highs to get those taken down.

    also, yes vitamin d wheover mentioned that. i live in north dakota and stopped tanning months ago. no vitamin d to speak of, need t start supplementing i think. or just buy one session at a time and get a quick 15 min fix one-2 times a week....

    I'm in pretty much the EXACT same boat. Just starting to yank myself up out of a nasty week of depression. I watched a documtentary on the founder of AA and he mentioned that Niacin helped with his depression- I talked with my dr about it and she said it'd be fine to take it as a supplement everyday. Sun and exersice and sleep are supposed to be very important for those of us who have a bipolar disorder.

    Its hard to be gentle with yourself when your in the throes of this sort of thing and unless you have the disorder its hard to understand. A few days off might work for most people but for me it tends to encourage a sharp downward spiralThe down days require something different than only willpower to get off your lazy butt, Give your self kudos for the tiny things you manage to do, focusing on what you did do instead of the things you should do but didn't.

    Brushed your teeth? Awesome! Took a shower? Awesome!, Opened the door and took a big sniff of fresh air and shut the door again? Awesome! Did some stretching? Awesome! - Its something. A place to start.

    that's beautiful thank you! so nice to find someone i can relate too. it's tough- i dont have it as bad as some but it definitely affects me in these ways. thank you, needed to hear it.
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