Burnout?

[jkmom]

I think I am experiencing burnout - but admire all of you for working so hard so I am trying to stay motivated! I think I might start a journal -again(!) to keep me going.
I am not sure if any of you can relate but my head feels like it is exploding! I am never good enough - no matter how hard I train or how strict I diet. The diet issue is a NIGHTMARE! I own every copy of every diet - which I try for 15 minutes, don't like - binge on whatever I was restricted from and try a new one! I should be 500 pounds but some how am around 115. I am training hard but I am 41, mother, full time job - blah blah blah(!) and feel like I wish I could train more. I need to make this fun again!
Can anyone relate?

 

[wlmcrae]

Yep, as an ex-burnout case, I'd say you're well on the way! Of course, I burned out completely and it took six years to be able to work again or go out of the house socially.

I'm sure you're going to hate me for this but . . do whatever it takes to go and spend a weekend ALONE somewhere, no TV, no radio, no music, no nothing. Just you, pencil crayons or wax crayons, a pen and a bunch of paper (and lots of bubble bath). Siddown and write or draw what is important to YOU. Not what others want you to do, or what you think they want you to do, or what you think would make you acceptable to them. Just YOU. Then figure out a plan to get there - no emotional 'but what will *fill in the blank* think', just use those brains and plan, just as if it were a work problem you were assigned to fix. This is your life and IT IS NOT A DRESS REHERSAL!

And pamper yourself - hot bubble bath every night at a minimum (or whatever says to you "I'm OK, I matter and I'm worth loving.")

The food thing - it is just a symptom. Carbs especially can function as an anesthetic (seriously - they can!), especially to emotional or other 'brain-type' things. So, from the Weight Watchers - do you eat when you're Tired, Bored, Angry, Sad, Afraid? (they've got a cool little acronym, which I can never remember) It is hard, but when you decide to eat, first figure out if you're eating b'cause you're hungry (actually somewhat unlikely) or because you're anesthetizing something that is only going to get worse if ignored.

Here's where I get 'off the wagon' - I get mad at myself for (a) feeling at all, (b) feeling bad, (c) doing something about it. Be smarter than me and love yourself enough to say "It's OK to feel _________. I'm human, I love me, I can deal with me. What do I need to do to (a) deal with this so it doesn't do me in again or (b) pamper myself through this so as to meet my goals."

A long post, I know. Possibly slightly off topic as well, but hey, I've gone that route and if you can avoid it - DO!

 

[gemini269]

Hey jkmom =) I've written to you before on the topic of eating disorders. I somehow have two names here and never know which one will come up!!??! BUT I can relate!! It IS never enough. The only advice I can give, is to try and trick yourself.... get yourself into a mentality that your going to get ready for a competition, or an up-coming vacatipn, your birthday etc... so you have a set date? Thats what I'm tying. I've gone to EXTRENUOUS measures, ones i shouldn't mention, and ya know, even at that end, it STILL wasn't enough. So, try a new sport... a new goal, i dunno? ANYTHING, so long as it's new, fun, and healthy! I know it's hard not to binge/ purge, give up start over, and the guilt, and low-self-esteem that entails... keep trying! =) I'm with ya

 

[jkmom]

You are awesome!! Thank you for the support!!! What a crazy battle! A bruise would be much easier!! It is so crazy at 41 to be STILL dealing with this crap!! Thanks again!

 

[2dagym]

You asked if anyone else has experienced burnout - I think everyone experience burnout from time to time, some more extreme than others, and I can relate to the diet nightmare. I am always struggling. I'll do good for several days then go on a binge which last until I notice my weight creeping back to where it was before I started my diet. At least I have enough since to quit before I gain anything extra. I don't know about you but I never want to take responsbility for my binges, but who am I fooling - I give in to the tempation so it's my fault. It's like I can't socialize, even with my husband, without the worry of overeating and starting the binge cycle.

I think starting a journal is a great idea, especially if you post it here. I know for me, if I do I will feel more obligated to maintain my diet. So now, the problem is being absolutely ready to make the move. Yes, I keep putting it off because I've got to get my mind-set where it needs to be.

Wlmcrae's suggestion about getting away would be great in an ideal world so if you can do that I would say, "go for it" - get your mind where it needs to be for you!!

I wish you luck.

 

[Sassy69]

"Burn out" is when I just get bored w/ every thing related to diet, etc. Sometimes just all of life in general. "Overtraining" is a completely different type of burnout that I've experienced but I dont think that's what we're talking about here. If you are a specific schedule to accomplish somethign, e.g. competition- when you are way out from your date you have some wiggle room but you need to mentally determine at that point if you are really goign to do it, or not, so you don't waste the next 4 months lying to yourself about not doing what you are supposed to be doing. If not, then don't get down on yourself. A day or a week off won't kill you. Might even be good for you. I also find that if I keep myself very busy I actually find more room for getting done all the things I want to do and dont' even worry about it. I LOVE when my life i like that. And then the "time off" I schedule is indeed special and relaxing. For ex right now - hell I'm unemployed. I sleep late. I stay up late. I'm online all day and the hrs fly by. BAAAAAAD. I'm bored out of my mind, but can't get myself up to do anythng either. Very bad. But working towards some goals slowly.

If you are just tired of it all, sure take some time off. Schedule a MASSAGE!!!!! These are the best in the world. Not to mention you become very aware of your body and sometimes that just mentally moves you back into the gym, the diet, etc. But if you sit in a rut and continue to pile on the guilt cuz you aren't getting out there, it doesnt' help anyone. If you have kids, etc. try bringign them to the Y or something like that. I have a cat - I'm a bit limited which contributes even more to how easy it is to sit in front of the computer all day. But still workign towards getting out of that. The gym has alway been my release, but right now I'm still formulating my approach to competition and I"m sort of lost - therefore I dont' have a consistent schedule, therefore I spend more time wafflign around, therefore I sit here and type all day.

Anyway..... dont' feel bad about it, accept that sometime your mind & body need a breather or a different type of stimulatoin. But never let it start piling up on you & buliding the guilt. EVER. That has no purpose.

 

[amore]

Anyway..... dont' feel bad about it, accept that sometime your mind & body need a breather or a different type of stimulatoin. But never let it start piling up on you & buliding the guilt. EVER. That has no purpose.

I agree with Sassy on this. Don't feel bad. Feeling bad won't help. Make the best of the situation every time and in the end you will be fine. I am not bringing in much income right now either. I am young and struggling to make some major things happen in business - to get up to $150/hr for my consulting rate, to leverage my life so I don't have to work much, to buy a few million dollars worth of real estate and figure out how to get the money, LOL. There is so much I want to do but it's hard sometimes to keep the momentum going when you have no set place to be for instance. I'm self employed - schedule the 2 clients I currently have whenever, LOL. I could spend morning to night working on making more money but don't feel like it right now. I just want to sit back and figure out my life a bit more - like what truly makes me happy before I go and do that.... So it's ok to step back, reflect, get down once in a while - it teaches you a lot about life ;-) And all learning is good if you choose to look at it that way ;-)

 

[que_66]

Hang in there!

 

[jkmom]

WOW!!!! Thank you sooooo much for all of your wonderful advice!! As you can relate, I am a perfectionist. I get into shape where you can count my muscles and veins because I train and diet so hard - and then crash. My diet is horrendous, I follow a "raw diet" because I brain washed my self in to thinking this is best. Well it causes MAJOR binging when I crash so now the key is balance. I hate to do it but I am following a weight watchers plan in hopes of having enough energy to work out and stay "level" My work outs have been horrible latley and my husband was horrified in the gym yesterday when he noticed the veins in my stomach popping out. So here I am again, trying to get my @@!! together - but for some reason I am not depressed - I think I am ok and ready to begin April training for summer! Funny, I always thought I wanted to be skinny - but it's really not that great!
Thanks again everyone - and yes I would like to start my journal here. I appreciate the opportunity!

 

[Ozz2001]

Take two weeks off from training then comeback...Everyone needs a break or you will burnout...Best part is you will see better results after 2 weeks off also...Stick with it girl!
Sorry for posting in ladys area, felt bad...been there...