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I hit a wall...

Loves2spoon

Loves2spoon

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 3, 2010
1,081
34
California
Been working out really hard for the past 3 months, lots of cardio and weight lifting. I have no more motivation to work out, getting on the treadmill or lifting weights feels like a choir now. I usually run 5-8 miles a day but I get bored after 1, I try and do some bicep curls and I can't get myself to do more than 5 than just go home.

I've tried drinking some coffee but that didn't help. I have plenty of energy and eat healthy everyday.

Any suggestions?
 
only kidding around ...

some serious advice ... take a break from it for a bit ... over-doing it can really make it seem like work after a while.

the passion will come back ... you are on the right track

cheers
 
Apple OC said:
only kidding around ...

some serious advice ... take a break from it for a bit ... over-doing it can really make it seem like work after a while.

the passion will come back ... you are on the right track

cheers
Click to expand...

:)

I usually take 1-2 days off every week, maybe I'll try running in a new area. Girls in Yoga pants = motivation... lol
 
Loves2spoon said:
:)

I usually take 1-2 days off every week, maybe I'll try running in a new area. Girls in Yoga pants = motivation... lol
Click to expand...

Take a break by mixing it up. Go run outside, go play soccer or something. Weight lifting gets particularly boring if you're not training for an event. Ever thought of doing a half marathon or get into biking? Muscles are cool, but finishing a race is good conversation.
 
your thread title sounded more spectacular, than it really is.

funny how "hitting a wall" prove really boring (no action).

anyway, how about changing activities?
 
what is your diet like? How many calories are you taking in daily?

As for cardio try HIIT, I hate running but HIIT is where it's at. Burns more cals than doing 1 hour of cardio, and you only do it for no more than 20 minutes. It's fat burning effect can last up to 36 hours after a HIIT session.
 
phas3 said:
what is your diet like? How many calories are you taking in daily?

As for cardio try HIIT, I hate running but HIIT is where it's at. Burns more cals than doing 1 hour of cardio, and you only do it for no more than 20 minutes. It's fat burning effect can last up to 36 hours after a HIIT session.
Click to expand...

That seems like something to look into! :eek:
 
try eating more food that is rich in vitamins, essential fatty acids and protein for energy. also try drinking protein shakes as they help with recovery as well as muscle building.
 
Loves2spoon said:
That seems like something to look into! :eek:
Click to expand...

Here's a simple routine for HIIT(High Intensity Interval Training):

Warm up by walking for 5 minutes
Sprint 30 seconds
Walk/slight jog 60 seconds
Repeat that for no more than 15-20 minutes
Finish off with a 5 minute cool down.

this should not be done more than 3x per week as you are putting your through a lot with this routine.

Figure out what your max BPM(beats per minute) for your age
formula = 220 - Age = Max BPM

and sprint no higher than 90% of your max BPM.

I would also recommend getting a heart rate monitor the Omron HR-100C from amazon for 33 dollars is cheap and amazing.

http://www.amazon.com/Omron-HR-100C-Heart-Rate-Monitor/dp/B000A5CEUO
 
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Introduce competition into it.

Make a bet with a friend who also lifts on how much you can improve in a short time period. Bet a dinner or something.

Or you could do something like play basketball instead of lifting. Basketball is great exercise, it's fun, and improves overall conditioning very well.
 
Every 3-4 months, you should take a week off. I don't mean that you should go crazy and eat whatever you want. Just take a week off from your exercise routine.

During my week off I usually come up with some new exercise to try out when I get back into working out.

Trust me, by the end of the week, you'll be itching to get back to the gym.
 
Find a buddy or a group of people to start training with - you could find a friend to start training with at the gym, or you could find a sports group to join and condition yourself there. I've found it's far easier and more rewarding to do exercise when you have others to do it with, it's easier to motivate yourself.
 
Do you have a goal, for this work out, or doing it just because?

I find that if I have a race coming up, I'm more motivated to train.

Also hook up with friends who share the same interest in working out. They'll help you keep motivated.

As for running and being bored, is this on a treadmill? If so, try outside, running on a treadmill is boring, outside is a lot more fun. Also use an iPod with your run/workouts, having music play will help pass the time
 
Do some sports!

Personally, I think people who can run hours on end(routinely) are weird. I get super bored doing that stuff too.
 
nizz said:
Do some sports!

Personally, I think people who can run hours on end(routinely) are weird. I get super bored doing that stuff too.
Click to expand...
Count me as weird. I can run for hours without any music or headphones. I just get into a zone and lose myself. ;)
 
iJohnHenry said:
Take up squash/racquet ball.

A great work-out, at the higher levels of play.
Click to expand...

Or even at low levels. :eek: I'm getting back into squash after 22 years of not playing at all, and about 10 years of very little exercise. Squash is a great workout in regards to getting a lot out of it for even short periods (30 mins - 1 hour sessions) because it's pretty intense. It's social and fun in addition, and it's also fine to go by yourself to practice alone. I took a lesson with the pro guy at the place I play, just so I'd have an idea of what sort of technique I could work on when I'm there by myself.

Since you're in great shape to begin with, you'll rock in no time at all. :D
 
You just need to change your routine. I work out 5 days a week taking Wednesday and Sunday as off days. I stagger my workouts to where I only exercise one body part or group every 8-9 days. What that does is aid in keeping your muscles and body from getting too accustomed to doing the same exercises on the same day. Even after all that, I still change up my routine of exercises every couple of months. In fact I just changed my chest day up and I got a great workout from it which I haven't felt in a while.

But sometimes I just need to take a half of a week to a week off altogether just to let my body recover. That is kind of what I've done this week; I took the last three days off and will go back to the gym today.

Another person in this thread mentioned HIIT. I have a good friend who trains that way and he is in phenomenal shape from it and he swears by it. His brother on the other hand doesn't believe in that style and practically lives in the gym. He is in great shape too, but does a different, more traditional style of exercising.

Short of injuring yourself, there is almost no wrong way of exercising. But you really should consider changing your routine enough to keep from getting bored, to keep your body from getting too accustomed and to break plateau's.
 
I do a 4 day split with 3 days of HIIT

I've never gotten bored...I also count my daily calorie intake and log in everything I eat and make sure my macros are spot on.

As long as my lifts are improving I'll never get bored..
 
I had this problem too and then I realiz I need toswitch things around every week.

so one day I'll go swimmming
one day rock climbing wall
one day basketball
one day raquetball
one day treadmill
one day I'll go to a cardio class

as long as I keep switching I'll keep going to the gym and not loose motivation
 
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