I Thought Exercise Was Supposed to Make You Feel Good?

[bumbershoot]

I was just reading about the Shred program, and it kicked the butt of people who'd been exercising regularly for a year. I think you've started off a bit too quick.

Definitely water. Dehydration can cause that fatigue. And the water will help your muscles recover, too.

Hubby and I just started back at the gym in September, and I've slowly built myself up to exercising more. I now do an hour on the elliptical 3 times a week, and the exhaustion has finally lifted. Hubby's still working things out...he followed the advice of a trainer there, who went against everything I'd told him (exercise science degree AND I know him and know what he is capable of and what his mindset about exercising is), and he now might have a meniscus tear b/c of her dingbat advice. If he'd just stuck to the elliptical and stayed away from the other stuff, he'd likely be fine.

Take your time, let yourself build to it being a habit to exercise, and then start challenging yourself with Jillian's stuff.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh hey, how about joining this thread? Might be the motivation and camaraderie you need?

 

[minkydog]

Yeah, I have tried that and stuck with it only a little. I have found that I need to be coached--I do better. I'm probably a perfect candidate for a personal trainer, yet I really don't have the time or money for that. That's why I tried the DVD.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a slacker and lazy to boot. When working on my own I tend to not make the most of it.

I am the same way. It seems as though I have trouble being accountable to myself. I do much better if I have some supervision.

I thought I wanted a trainer, too, but I was kinda scared I'd get some 100-lb skinny-minnie who thinks throwing up is a great way to keep your weight down. Instead, I joined that YMCA near me. They have a lot of classes and aquatic exercise programs, but I'm not much of a class exercise person. The Y has a program called Coach Approach where you meet with a trainer/coach to hammer out your program based on your needs and your physical condition and they meet with you every few weeks, rather than daily. Did I mention it's FREE?

My trainer set me up with a weight training circuit that I have agreed to do twice a week--I think I can manage that and maybe more, but i dare not set a goal that's too high for me or I'll quit! She also went around and showed me how to set up the machines and how to use them. IT's all computerized so as you exercise the computer keeps track of how much weight you used, what number your foot or back rest is on, and how many reps. The trainer also showed me how to set up the treadmill and recumbent bike so i can "shake it up" a little. I know this sounds really basic, but I knew *nothing* about exercise machines and I was really, really intimidated and anxious about even being in there. Now that I know what I'm doing, I just hop right on and start working away!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Ahhhhh, exercise soreness . I love it when I first try a new activity my muscles aren't used to or push myself and I can feel it in my legs the next 2-3 days (and when you first start, yes, you will feel like you can barely walk those 2-3 days). I now run about an hour to an hour and half every other day and do weights and such in between on my "off" days. I don't feel the soreness I used to but it always makes me feel like I really accomplished something now when I'm a little sore the next day (cause now I have to really work for it). Believe me, stick with it and you will soon feel great! Just don't go crazy and then burn out, a little at a time is ok too .

By the way, I have very bad knees (little to no cartilage). I still have to ice them every once in awhile on my runs but getting the right shoes, and once I dropped about 30 lbs., it became a lot easier to run. It's ok to make your own "routine" like a PP said. You can also just do the parts of the DVD you can do for now. I started doing 5 push-ups on my knees and a 1 minute wall sit. I thought I was going to die after both of those (I know, so sad after only 5 pushups) but I would do it every day and at the end of the week I would increase the number of pushups by one and add 5-10 seconds on the wall sit. Every little step leads towards moving you forward.

It took me two years to lose those 30 lbs. I just took it a little at a time and it's stayed completely off (and I've lost a little more) for three years.

 

[redlight]

It gets easier. Start slow and build up as you go!

 

[::Snow_White::]

I've been exercising for about 2 years and Jillian Michael's still kicks my butt. I just gave up on that 30 day shred and went with some other dvds and C25K program instead. I figure there are some things that I just can't do and that's okay. It took me about a year before I would finally exercise without feeling like I was forced to. I look forward to it because I take a lot of frustration out. Just keep at it and you can do it!

 

[Maridw]

I truly understand the day after exercise soreness. I got the EA Active for our new Wii and tried it yesterday. I have been out of work since the end of Sept and so other than dancing I haven't done a whole lot.

I started with the low impact exercises. Boy am I glad I did. My legs are SOOOOOOOOO sore today. I had to do running, squats, side lunges, reverse rowing and some jumping. I obviously used a lot of muscles that I haven't for a while.

Good luck with your exercising. I am going to give it a shot too.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Just keep telling yourself that you are getting stronger. I feel so much better when I exercise.

 

[LadyZolt]

One other thing-- after working out (even just walking), be sure to stretch. It makes all the difference. Since I started stretching after my workouts, I have never been sore the next day, and that used to always happen to me.

As others said, you'll get in better shape and be able to do more. It really does make a difference. You'll sleep better, too!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[cepmom]

Were you just sore or did you get exhausted?

Getting to Level 2 is great. My friend is an AVID exerciser. In very good shape. She's attempted Level 2 a few times and can't do it well. Her friend, who's well into her 50s, energetically gets through Level 3!

I had GREAT intentions of doing this again tonight but there is no way. I *have* to go to work tomorrow and actually do some work and I just can't risk having this put me in some fatigue state. I thought I'd walk the dog but I am literally exhausted. I'm even having a rough time climbing the stairs in my house. Not due to muscle pain, I just feel really tired.

I was definitely sore, a little tired as well....not exhausted. But, I was already exercising on a regular basis on the elliptical 5 days a week before I started the 30 day shred.

I think I took the next day off after doing level 1 for the first time too....I was just too sore to attempt it two days in a row! Give yourself a days rest then try again. Like she says in the dvd, by day 5 or 6 you really will see your endurance change and it won't seem so torturous!

I moved to level 2 too quick; once this knee is better, I'm going back to level 1 and sticking there for a while.