Beginning Again

[Alexis52]

I've been working out to Cathe tapes/dvds since August 2003 and I was making terrific progress, matching her weight in many areas. Then life got in the way and I haven't worked out for about 5-6 weeks. I feel like a beginner again! Any tips for getting back in the swing of things without getting discouraged?

It's not like I got sidetracked with Spring cleaning. I was out of state caring for my dad during the last weeks of his life. I'm still pretty fragile, so getting discouraged is a real possibility. Working out is something I want to do for me. Suggestions for tapes or pieces-parts of tapes would be helpful. An ease-back-into-shape rotation would do nice things for my confidence. Thanks, Alexis

 

[Mckmain]

I am so sorry Alexis....my Dad had Alzheimers and passed away in 1997. He was my best friend...I understand the discouragement. I ran a marathon a week later, spending time with my sister and meeting a man that ended up being so special to us...I dealt with his death by running. Maybe just one of the premixes would be good. And decrease your weight for awhile. Just try to have fun with the workouts. I love Legs & Glutes for that reason...its fun!....maybe just 3 days of light cardio and 3 days of weights would work.......Carole

 

[LAEnggren]

Alexis
I am sorry for your loss. I lost my Dda to cancer feb 23 2003 then while we took care of him he was diagnosed 6 months earlier it was bery hard towork out after his death even harder He was a workout fanatic and only 65 very healthy I got back in and felt good I often thought of him and how proud he would be of me Sometimes he would stop in while I was working out before he got sick an dhe would cheer me on Cathe is tough!
Then not even a year later actually feb 6th 2004 my 17 year old neice was killed in an auto accident Christine was my twin sisters daughter she lived half ablock form me and my 3 sons She was actually under my supervision when the accident occured her mother was on vacation This was devastating to our whole family I did not work out for a week or 2 I could barely move grief is paralyzing as you are experiencing Then 1 day idecided you know what I oculd not possibly feel worse so I put in my Cathe tape a weight one so I oculd really concentrate and I actually made it through and when i was done I realized I actually hadn't thought of death for almost an hour It has now been 3 months and I can't believe it time moves and the world turns wheteher we feel like moving or not But everyday I workout I feel it gives me the strength to help my sister and my sons
I know you feel strong again take it slow and easy do what feels good
I really did not mean to burden you with my loss sorry for carrying on but it has worked for me I just do what feels good generally weights cuz for some reason thta takes my mind off my sadness muscle endurance was 1 of my favs and the pyramids
My sympathies are with you
I will say a prayer for you
Lisa

 

[Alexis52]

Thanks for your kind thoughts and support. Dad wasn't even diagnosed correctly until 9 days before he died so it all happened quickly. He was buried on my 25th anniversary. The thought that keeps me going is that this happens to everyone, someday. And a lot of healing happened within the family that was beautiful to see.

I feel the need to exercise but I'm not focused on putting together a program. That's why I asked for help from you all. I don't feel helpless yet I feel that I surrendered to something much greater than me. Now it's time to take back what is mine. Thanks, Alexis

 

[Carol_is_fit]

((((((((( ALEXIS )))))))) Good to see you on here again! I'm so sorry about your dad.

Take it one day at a time, hon. That's all you or any of us can really do. Give yourself time to heal emotionally, and be patient with your workout progress. It will come back to you! Summer is almost here and at least you'll be home, right? That will help. Email me if you need to. Email the others too, if you get a chance. A lot has happened, and we've missed you!!

Carol

 

[endorphin_junkie]

Hi Alexis52, please accept my condolences and welcome back.(((((((((hug)))))))))
You are in the midst of an exceptionally challenging emotional time and it's good that you are seeking to regain balance by challenging yourself physically as well. I feel for you about feeling 'fragile' but it's good that you recognize it in yourself so that you know when to be gentle with yourself and when to push. I lost my Dad and my DH within 2 years of each other and 6 years later I still have some fragile days.
I vividly remember days after my husband died, days when I was filled with anger and sorrow, I worked out like a woman possessed and spent that angry energy leaving it manifested as a pool of sweat and tears on the basement floor. I rowed on the rowing machine one day working at my max and realized that with every pull the word 'rage' seethed from my mouth, I stopped, cried, cried some more and again felt spent. These workout sessions were profound in my healing and for me working out is 'active meditation'. Like Lisa said so pointedly, "when I was done I realized I actually hadn't thought of death for almost an hour". For someone grieving, that is a gift beyond measure.
All I can suggest for an ease-back-into-shape rotation is to look at your collection and chose the workouts that you enjoy. Set goals before your workout (ie. 10, 20, 30 minutes cardio) and meet or exceed those goals depending on your performance. See if you can go full tilt for 1-2 minutes then back off and see how you feel. I am just coming back from an injury and have been dusting off some of Cathe's older tapes, StepMax, StepJam... I have taken out a riser on my step and am paying more attention to good form and alignment. I did PUB yesterday and modified the pyramids to how my body felt not increasing the weight if I felt any struggle to maintain form. I didn't lift as heavy as before but so what...my arms feel nicely sore today and I met the goal I set for myself.
Good luck with your return to your workouts, you've taken a big step to healing. I'm sorry you have to go through the grief but when you emerge from it life is sweeter. Remember, the height of our joys is relative to the depths of our sorrow. Better days are ahead
Take Care
Laurie

 

[DebbieH]

Alexis, I am so sorry about your dad but glad you were able to spend the last weeks of his life with him. You will always have that!!! As far as workouts, you can get those back. Take it a day at a time. Try to remember which tapes were your favs. I LOVE L&G's. Fun, fun tape and great music. I also love the Pyramids and feel so accomplished when I finish them. I can SOOOO relate with losing loved ones and the hurt and emotions that go along with it. (lost both of my parents and brother at young ages: 43, 54 & 44) I've also had an injury that has prevented me from working out like I used to. This past couple weeks I have just been picking & choosing workouts that I love and easing my way back into it. I modify where I have to or just sub in a different move if I feel it is too much. Like the others have said, just do what you can even if it is 10 minutes. Increase from there. I truly am so sorry about what you are going thru now. Big, big hugs to you! {{{ALEXIS}}}
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!

 

[Bobbi]

How do you eat an elephant, Alexis? One bite at a time! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de//elefant.gif He's either marching in place or freaking out at the thought he's going to be eaten!

Pull out your DVD's, dust 'em off and begin. And yep, you may need to use your beginner weights but only for the first few weeks. Give yourself a good 4-6 weeks to look for results and know that it will come. When my dad died I ran like crazy and he ran along side me, I swear. Be kind to you and take it a step at a time. It comes back very quickly and it rewards you by keeping you steady and restoring balance! There's no point in fretting about lost days. Tomorrow is the only day that matters. Which workout are you doing?

I've missed you!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver

 

[macska]

Alexis, I'm very sorry about your Dad too.
I also "ran" through the toughest year of my life -- my stepdad and uncle died within weeks, and my husband was diagnosed w/cancer. (He is OK now.)
I ran many hundrads of miles sweating out the pain and to calm my nerves.
I really think that any cardio would do, specially with some higher intensity parts. For some reason I believe that the higher the intensity the higher the pain relieve. But you also have to be careful to not get injured now.
Also, lifting would help too, since you must concentrate when you do it. When you concentrate your mind won't wonder around other things, as it can easily do when you just "walk" for exercise.
All the best to you

Mari