How do I rediscover mental strength for exercise?

[RhondaJean]

I think my trainer is trying to kill me.

I joke, but only!

After a bad injury last year which I am fully over, I am trying to get my fitness up again. It's the hardest thing I have ever done. I am not a natural athlete but I am prepared to work, honestly, however the PMA seems to have gone.

I've got a lot going on in my life at the moment which I need mental strength for, I'm hoping to start a phd for one which will require all the strength I can muster, and I'm working on strong mind strong body but I am finding it so so hard when everything is hurting and I can barely breath and the sweat is pouring from me.

Anyone got any good advice or tips? Please?

when everything is hurting and I can barely breath and the sweat is pouring from me

Is it really necessary to even go that hard Rhonda?

I mean I consider myself a bit of an exercise addict but I spend very little (if any) of my workout time at that level of discomfort.
I know you need to challenge yourself to make gains/get fitter, but that sounds like pushing too hard?
(or am I missing hyperbole used for comic effect )

If I am stressed I find that my capacity for physical exertion is much reduced, mental stress, physical stress they all drain the battery.

I'm not suggesting that regaining fitness is a bad thing, but maybe give yourself a longer time frame?

There is a touch of hyperbole and a touch of my cardio beign truly appalling at the moment. The annoying thing is my muscles are stronger than my cardio is - I won't have much in the way of DOMS tomorrow because I can lift more and heavier but I can't do the cardio, and I need the cardio to get the fitness up and the weight down.

I've got one hour with my trainer a week and I picked him because although he's more expensive than the other two at our (small, martial arts based ) gym, I know he will push me to my limit.

I know the key to the whole thing is in my head but it's not working yet. Maybe I am just pushing too far too fast. Tomorrow will be a better day.

And, thank you Suzanne.

Are you enjoying the results or is it too early to say?

Too early and I need to get my diet in check.

I enjoy the accomplishment of having done it but I'm a bit peed off with myself because it's so hard just now.

Are you taking enough rest days? Could you be over training ?

Weights and cardio and 'lifestress' I've only ever been able to take it to the limit with two out of three (hidden musical references-the eagles and meatloaf :o)

But you sound tougher than me!

I guess just keep chipping away and at least make sure you get enough sleep?

Do you need the cardio part as much as you think? If the aim is weight loss then fiddling with the diet may be more worthwhile. It sounds you're doing enough for fitness as it is.

Rhonda we've chatted before on exercise threads and I think our approach to exercise (mostly keen on the push yourself til you die/throw up kind )....but...I think our lives go in cycles, when different diets or exercise for example, suit us better than at other times. Some people are vegetarian for years then find it's no longer working so well for their body for example. Maybe you should try something different for a while... I have recently added hot yoga to my kickboxing/gym stuff, I have been amazed at the difference it's made to my body...it's properly challenging but in a very different way to the other stuff I do. Maybe do something like that, or dance, see how that goes? You should be enjoying whatever it is you are doing .

Sorry-our approach to exercise has been similar

I concur, things change, what is optimal at one time appears (for reasons unknown) not to work so well further down the line.

I think I've held myself back at times because of fixating on a certain way of doing things.

then again it's bloody confusing trying to figure out how best to stay fit/strong/in shape when the goal posts keep moving!

If you think about it, why shouldn't it change though...bodies change over the course of our lives, obviously most dramatically from being babies through to adulthood but also after that. I think it's a fascinating process to observe and experiment with.

Yes we are all in a state of constant flux, just when you think you've nailed it everything shifts!

Interesting...but tricky

Oh yes, never relax and think you've found 'the way' !

Thanks everyone that's really interesting to read and think about.

I think the main issue is actually my diet. I am eating too much and too much rubbish and I know it. When I hurt my leg last year I was so fed up I started eating and ever since I've been able to train again I've been fed up I've not been at the level I was before the injury so I've eaten again (emotional eater, pcos, insulin resistant, I know the script...)

I have booked a yoga class which I think will do me good. I need to find a way to accept I am doing Thr best I can AT THE MOMENT and that it's only by keeping going I will get better.

I do like to mix training up, as Thr weather is getting better I'm going to start trying jogging again too I think.

I forgot that personal training sessions are so intense because it's all about you, I did much better than I expected in my Thai boxing class tonight, though there's still miles to go, but the more I train and the better I eat the more I will improve I guess?

You will Rhonda but be kind to yourself . It must have been so frustrating being injured, if you are an emotional eater then food is naturally what you turn to - it could be worse, you could have picked drugs, alcohol, depression or taken it out on your family. So don't beat yourself up about it. Nourish yourself, spiritually and nutritionally, back to health and fitness, don't set crazy standards, there's no rush - you aren't a professional athlete! Stressing about it is the worst thing for your body on all fronts. Progress, not perfection , you'll get there.