Always burn out...HELP

[Pie4me]

I seem to always burn out on my tread mill because I tend
to be somewhat of a perfectionist. I start out really pushing
myself and do 3-4 miles a day and when I can't keep up with that
for 7 days a weeks I just quit because I am down on myself.

I am 50 years old and need to loose about 20 pounds.
Could someone just tell me about how long or far to go
on my tread mill and should it be every day?

Sometimes just someone else giving me a plan takes the
responsibility off myself and I do just fine...when I have
to decide I just really over do it and am miserable and quit!

I need some good realistic goals I can work toward.

[ttdriver]

Re: Always burn out...HELP

I wouldn't workout everyday. Set a realistic goal like 2-3 miles every other day. Maybe mix up your workouts; get some dumbbells and do upper body strength training on your non-running days.


Betty

[SandyL2002]

Re: Always burn out...HELP

I tell myself 2 days of exercise a week is a must. Then after a while you add a 3rd..and then if you want you add the 4th. but then I know that I met my goal because I did my 2 days to begin with..

[LooseShoes]

Re: Always burn out...HELP

You might try joining some challenges to do something different. Encouraging and being accountable to others helps me.

There's a mileage challenge you might want to check out for your treadmill.

I fight the perfectionist problem, too. I get in my head that I have to have the house perfectly clean or not mess with it at all. If I just do some every day, it's not so bad. As it is, it's a disaster right now. Our minds play funny games on us--I hope you can get going and keep at it, exercise makes you feel better and look better.

[Evermind]

Re: Always burn out...HELP

Pie -

Many of us were under the deep-rooted impression that we have to exercise every single day or lose everything. And, like you, if we missed a day or two, that was it - it was all over. We didn't return to the gym. It turns out, the opposite is true.

You need to give yourself several rest days during the week. Rest days are as important as exercise days, because they are when your body recharges, builds that muscle, and and heals.

You might consider having a goal to do the treadmill 3 times a week for 2-3 miles. On one other day, you could do yoga or an exercise tape if you want.