What is wrong with me ???

[foxymarty]

Hello, I am new here and gald that found this site.
I am 29 year old female, weight 98 lbs, hight 5.1,. I just moved from Hawaii to Oregon a yaer ago.
When I was in HI I worked out 5 times a week and very strick about my routin and my wrok out shcedule. I felt great and looked great, toned and in shape.
Latelly I feel fat and horible about my self, I look at myself on the mirror and look at my arms and tricep, I don't look toned anymore.
I still go to the gym 5 times a week but I cut my work out short and I am always in rush now, so sometimes I can't finish my wrok out, sometimes I just go to them gym for 5 minutes and lose my motivation to work out, even my fiance keep telling me that I am still toned and slim but I don't feel happy about my body, I can't see my muscle everywhere and I feel weak and when I feel this way I am sad.
This is how I work out 5 times a week:
Monday :Running on the treadmill 25 minutes.
Sit up using the ball for 40 reps for 4
sets.
Right ab sit up for 30 reps for 3 sets.
Left ab sit up for 30 reps for 3 sets.
Upper body.
Stretch.
Tuesday:Running on the treadmill 25 minutes.
Sit up without the ball for 40 reps for 4
sets.
Right ab sit up for 30 reps for 3 sets.
Left sit up for 30 reps for 3 sets.
Lower body.
Stretch.
Wednesday: 5AM Running on treadmill for 25 mins.
Sit up using the ball for 40 reps for 4
sets.
Right ab sit up for 30 reps for 3 sets.
Left sit up for 30 reps for 3 sets.
5:45PM go back to the gym to do Yoga.
Thusrday:Running on treadmill for 25 mins.
Upper Body.
Sit up without the ball for 40 reps for 4
sets.
Right ab sit up for 30 reps for 3 sets.
Left sit up for 30 reps for 3 sets.
Strecth.
Friday:Running on treadmill for 25 mins.
Lower Body.
Sit up using the ball for 40 reps for 4
sets.
Right ab sit up for 30 reps for 3 sets.
Left sit up for 30 reps for 3 sets.
Saturday and Sunday: Rest.
Late;;y I don't do sit ups very often and I sometimes mix and match my weights to heavier or lighter weight.
Anything that I do wrong in my routine ? Please help.
Thank you.

[Q.]

I'm not a trainer or a psychologist but what you described sure sounds like me when there's something going on in my life that is bothering me and distracting me from really getting into my workouts. Sometimes, going to the gym is the answer for what's bothering me but sometimes even that doesn't overcome the rest of the crap that's out there. Could it also be that your workout routine feels like a rut?

How about changing it all up completely and trying some new stuff? Cut back on the tread mill and try the weight room for a while. You're working the hell outta your abs; how about spreading it around some?

Hopefully, some of the trainers will chime in. They probably run across this with their clients but that's my $.02 worth.

Q

[Jean-Paul]

Welcome FM! Glad to have you with us.

Two things I can see right away. One is that you are probably having a phase of adjustment from moving, which can be very stressful. Stress from major life-changes can really effect your psyche in unpredictable ways. You may not be spending as much time being active outside as you were either.

Second, you NEED to lift some weights! Quercus was right on with that suggestion. You certainly don't sound genetically predisposed to putting on masculine-looking mass at 98 lb. All working out with some freeweights would do for you is lean you up and make your muscles look firmer.

Suggestions are on the way... I have to head out to the symphony right now, but I will answer some more tonight.

[foxymarty]

Q an JP,
Thank you for the responds, TRUE, since I got here I hardly ever go out and do outdoor activities, it is raining 24/7 in here...while in Hawaii most of my time spent outdoor...
The daily routine also seems different here, people has more tendency to sit around more then be active.
I just found out a few days ago thathalf the people in this town are on Prozac, Zolotf or any other depression medication, that'll be the last thing I have in my list.
Staying active is the only way.
About changing my routine, I do free weigts too, the only way I am thinking right now is hire personal trainer to show me the new kind of way to work.
I change my work out once every 6 weeks, is that the correct way to do ?
Thank you.

[Bill Hartman]

Marty,

Perhaps a move from paradise to the area of the US with the highest rate of suicide (still waiting for that new Nirvana album?? )has given you some SAD (seasonal affective disorder) .

I must tell you...you need to get some variety in your training sessions. I got bored just reading them .

You may also benefit from a little direction. By that I mean adopting a bit of training mentality to give your training purpose. Thousands of people "workout" every day and never make progress. Few people "train". Those who "train" always make progress.

Some ideas:

Consider trading some duration for intensity in your energy system training (the stuff you've been doing on the treadmill). Cut the session to 15 minutes and perform intervals 3 times/week.

For your weights...lunge, squat, row, and press. No magic there, just good solid work. Try to get really strong and be progressive with your weights. If you need help with program design, just ask. We are all happy to help.

I think you've cornered the market on ab training! 100 reps per day of the same exercises is getting you nowhere.

Try some woodchops, medicine ball exercises, planks, sidebridges, twisting variations, single leg bridging, free weight exercises, etc.

Enjoying your training process by being goal oriented and by adding some variety will be more powerful than any anti-depressant. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Bill

[foxymarty]

Thanks for all the respond...ooo yaaaa I will have a lot of qs to ask, since you all are very kind and genourous with the answers
Now I am off to the gym and today I'll start my 8 weeks program, I am eyeing on the book that you guys have for 6 weeks programs for $50.
Some of the abs exercise I'll do today will include the "Barbel Good Morning" and "Barbel Side Bend, I'll do treadmill for 15 minutes but will variate the intervall and the speed..sounds good ???
About hire a personal trainer, I just found out that the pT in my gym only specialize in Eldery
Anyway, I'll be in Little Rock next month, can I visit the gym ? [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Later and thanks;
Tetty Bergin