Balancing Gym Related Stress

[TheBlingRing14]

Hey guys!

 

A few years ago, I started watching what I ate and going to the gym and lost about 50 lbs and 3 dress sizes. It was great. I was still only halfway to my goal, but the goal felt reachable.

 

Sadly, I went on a cruise, got off the wagon, gained it all back and then some.

 

For health reasons, I do want to lose weight, I really do. But, I'm not necessarily UNhappy either. I find that honestly, I am less stressed now than I was when I was dieting/working out. When I was working out, I was doing so 2+hours a day 6 days a week. Which sounds like a lot, but that's how much I had to do to get results.

 

During that time, I was pretty calm and collected, but every so often, I would have a stress-induced breakdown. Like if I couldn't find the calorie content of a certain food. Or if I wasn't going to be able to make it to the gym. Sometimes, it would escalate to actual crying. Most of the time, it would just bubble up inside me and make me grumpy or cranky.

 

As I said before, I am genuinely happy. My stress level is pretty low. I do want to lose weight, but I'm not sure about getting back into a situation where I am getting SO stressed.

 

I know the easy answer is to do it, but maybe not get as intense. But, the thing is, like I said before, intense was the only thing that got me results. If I could walk 30 minutes and get results, obviously that would be ideal. But, unfortunately, that's not the way my body works.

 

What are your suggestions?

[Mr Scorpio]

I know the easy answer is to do it, but maybe not get as intense. But, the thing is, like I said before, intense was the only thing that got me results. If I could walk 30 minutes and get results, obviously that would be ideal. But, unfortunately, that's not the way my body works.

 

I cannot speak to your personal experiences. However, it seems to me that all human bodies work the same. If you burn more calories than you take in, you will lose weight. That being said, why couldn't you "only" go to the gym 3-4 days per week, have an occasional cheat-meal, and still lose weight, albeit not as fast as you did before?

[JPMC]

Everything is 80% diet. I'm sure you're eating the right foods, probably too much. It's all about portion sizes.

 

Try this.

 

3-4 meals a day 3 days a week.

 

Have a fistful size of

Protein (eggs, lean ground beef or turkey, chicken, fish, steak)

Starch (Oatmeal, sweet potato, quinoa, beans((red, black, kidney, etc)

Green Vegetable (broccoli, spinach, cabbage, lettuce, green beans asparagus)

 

3 meals 2 days a week

 

Protein

Green Vegetable

 

1 day a week, Cheat Day Eat whatever you want to satisfaction

Next Day fast.

 

You were working out WAY too much. You only need 45-60 minute a day, 5 days a week, tops. After 45-60 minutes your body starts releasing cortisol which keeps your fat levels up. Lift heavy weights, and do high impact cardio vs. long treadmill/elliptical sessions.

Edited January 24, 2014 by JPMC

[deathandtaxes]

Whatever routine you need to adopt needs to be enjoyable so you can stick with it. It seems that what you did prior is quite unworkable now. And I can't blame you!! You need to find your resting metabolic rate. From there, you can figure how much you can cut in consumption and how much you can burn from being active. Have a goal. Slow usually works just fine and is easier to maintain in the long run.

 

 

I see all these people at the gym doing crazy amounts of cardio, and I'm thinking, 'why'? Does your lifestyle suck that bad that you have to kill yourself on a treadmill or elliptical machine to compensate?

[lollipopspot]

Hey guys!

 

A few years ago, I started watching what I ate and going to the gym and lost about 50 lbs and 3 dress sizes. It was great. I was still only halfway to my goal, but the goal felt reachable.

 

Sadly, I went on a cruise, got off the wagon, gained it all back and then some.

 

For health reasons, I do want to lose weight, I really do. But, I'm not necessarily UNhappy either. I find that honestly, I am less stressed now than I was when I was dieting/working out. When I was working out, I was doing so 2+hours a day 6 days a week. Which sounds like a lot, but that's how much I had to do to get results.

 

I wouldn't worry so much about "results." If you're already happy with your life, being thinner might be nicer, but it's not the be-all end-all of a happy life, obviously. It a better quality of life to be heavier and happy than thin and unhappy. If you just want to be fit, you can do that with a lot less effort. My thought is to do something very sustainable like walking an hour a day 5 days/week, maybe a yoga class a couple times/week, and just being a bit more careful with your diet.

 

Also, look into veganism. If you learn about animal agriculture - pretty terrible for animals - you may want to cut down or eliminate animal products. The side benefit is that you will likely lose weight too. I believe that ethical veganism is what has kept me slender even as my friends are getting heavier as they get older.

 

Whatever you do, going back to what you did before just sounds unhealthy. You don't want to be breaking down due to stress

[Eau Claire]

You are obese. Setting yourself up for major medical issues. You may be fine now but when you are diagnosed with cardio issues, diabetes and start having joint issues life will not be so stress free.

 

Lose the weight now when you still have control of your health.

 

Re moderation, etc. that's not an option when obese. You need to lose significant weight. A pound a week or so. That's doable if you stick with it.

 

Re getting help. That's fine as long as you don't use it as a cop out. You don't lose weight by visiting your doctor, you lose weight by doing what he says. I admit that I have zero patience on our ward. We offer a diet regimen at patient release but I let an aid do it. Adults know it is better to not eat the cookie than to eat it. Your choice. But lose the weight while you still have that choice.

[seekingpeaceinlove]

BlingRing, I understand your struggle. You have to change your mindset. Consider the healthy changes you're making, to lose weight, a lifestyle and not necessarily a program to reach a goal. Yes, your intention is to lose weight and be healthy but you have to see it as a way of life not as a race or a project or a program.

 

I used to set myself goals and reward myself when reaching a benchmark weight but always gained the weight back and more. Whenever I made it a point that I need to lose XX amount of weight by XX date, I would always lose and then gain the weight back.

 

Now, I'm working out and eating right (not considering it calorie restricting) because it makes me feel fantastic. And the weight has been coming off quite easily. These changes I've made are permanent in order for me to live well and to feel well.

 

Change your mindset. Use the knowledge you have about diet and exercise to not restrict but to fuel yourself.

 

(FYI: I workout about 4-5xs a week for no more than an 1hr/day. I use other days to hike, bike and enjoy the outdoors if I can.)

Edited January 28, 2014 by seekingpeaceinlove

[FitChick]

You don't have to work out two hours a day. Do one hour every other day and just eat less without starving. When it becomes a habit, you can increase the days or time.