Sabotaging my Workouts

**Lily** · Posted On: 7/04/2008 5:24am

(TeM - please feel free to move the thread).

For the last few months with TeM's advice I've been lifting weight, increasing my numbers, putting on some muscle as well as cut down my heavy cardio training.

However, in the last 8 weeks I've somehow automatically switched back to a HIIT/cardio mode with only 2 days of lifting, did 21 days straight of training with no recovery at one point. I also realised that I'm competitive to the point where I lose form/don't achieve my best. I've plateaud with my lifting as well. Also I'm ashamed to say its partially a body image thing that has somehow triggered this, I tried to feel good about my mini muscles but I feel gigantic next to other women.

Any advice from BS'ers who can tell me how to reprogram the way I think? Anyone else do something similar?

**Kambei Shimada** · Posted On: 7/04/2008 5:41am

Funnily enough I've been doing exactly the opposite - I need to build up my cardio/endurance but despite attempting various different workouts after a few weeks i always seem to end up doing the same old strength focused weights routines.

**socratic** · Posted On: 7/04/2008 6:53am

Changing the train of your thoughts is something very difficult to do via an impersonal medium. I'd suggest either seeing a mental health specialist (if you feel your body-image issues are becoming problematic) or attempt without them to come to grips with the fact that you're not perfect, but damn near close.

A sense of muscularity to a woman is actually quite desireable to many. What you probably have forgotten is that having larger, more active muscles actually is a very effective means of fat burning, making weight-lifting an actually viable way of losing fat. Even when on a 'cutting' phase I'd imagine most performers would still lift.

**syberia** · Posted On: 7/04/2008 7:46am

Originally Posted by Lily

(TeM - please feel free to move the thread).

For the last few months with TeM's advice I've been lifting weight, increasing my numbers, putting on some muscle as well as cut down my heavy cardio training.

However, in the last 8 weeks I've somehow automatically switched back to a HIIT/cardio mode with only 2 days of lifting, did 21 days straight of training with no recovery at one point. I also realised that I'm competitive to the point where I lose form/don't achieve my best. I've plateaud with my lifting as well. Also I'm ashamed to say its partially a body image thing that has somehow triggered this, I tried to feel good about my mini muscles but I feel gigantic next to other women.

Any advice from BS'ers who can tell me how to reprogram the way I think? Anyone else do something similar?

Babe, dont worry about it. I've had that all my life. Growing up on a block a lot of physical labor made my bisceps put half the guys at school to shame (it was private, they're lazy). And they still would, i'd bet.

I've made them a source of pride in myself, knowing that i work hard, whether it be at the gym, on the block or the soccer field/pool whatever, to get those muscles. That and knowing that half the people i know would die of exhaustion even trying to compete (and winning arm wrestles)...

I need to get my weight routine going. I only get into the gym once a week to use them though, so it makes it hard. Rest is cardio, MA, and block work.

**Eddie Hardon** · Posted On: 7/04/2008 7:46am

Skinny Fat.

Ever heard the term? Even svelte looking women can often have relatively high levels of body fat and poor fitness yet will seem in good shape. A lifting programme (UK sp) will allow some significant remodelling and enhanced curvaceousness, whilst lowering your Body fat percentage. There were some good photos a few years back of Princess Diana comparing her from when she got engaged to Charles and after she'd got into a Gym programme. The kicker is that she'd either remained the same weight or had some some on (in the form of comely feminine muscle). She looked more upright and damned tasty in a backless dress.

OTOH, I can recall a lady from my Circuit Class who started to train as an Instructor and her Thighs, which were perfectly formed and most appealing became Zeppelin-esque. Yes, she'd overdone the Adductor/Abductor/Thighmaster machine(s).

21 days of training without Recovery. That's excessive (but understandable).

Over to TEM for the essential learning and detail.

Cheers

**Emevas** · Posted On: 7/04/2008 9:34am

Can we please not act like a bunch of 13 year old boys whenever a woman posts on the fitness forums? It makes the thread completely devoid of any degree of professionalism.

Lily, as has been stated, it's tough to literally reprogram the way you think. A simplier idea is to not look in the mirror or the scale. Or hell, if you've acheived a body that you like, put the lifting on maintenence and increase the cardio. My wife is currently doing such because she needs to be in a wedding and her lats wouldn't fit in her bridesmaid dress, haha.

**sochin101** · Posted On: 7/04/2008 10:07am

Originally Posted by Lex

Also I'm ashamed to say its partially a body image thing that has somehow triggered this, I tried to feel good about my mini muscles but I feel gigantic next to other women.

Lily, I can almost guarantee that the women you stand next to are thinking "****, I wish I was toned like that".
It's your body image difficulty (I don't want to say 'issue'), though, and it might not be a consolation what other people think.

Have you also considered your plateau might be due to your vegan diet?
I know you can get protein from beans and legumes etc, but I had to start with whey protein to get past a sticking point when I used to lift.
I know you can't have whey, though. Do you use a protein supplement?

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 7/04/2008 10:14am

Originally Posted by Emevas

Can we please not act like a bunch of 13 year old boys whenever a woman posts on the fitness forums? It makes the thread completely devoid of any degree of professionalism.

Lily, as has been stated, it's tough to literally reprogram the way you think. A simplier idea is to not look in the mirror or the scale. Or hell, if you've acheived a body that you like, put the lifting on maintenence and increase the cardio. My wife is currently doing such because she needs to be in a wedding and her lats wouldn't fit in her bridesmaid dress, haha.

Thanks Emevas.

I'm gonna start chopping heads next time I see a derail like this.

Lily, I took the liberty to highlight what Emevas posted because it goes at the core of the matter.

Mental images and self-perfection are powerful things, for good and bad. You know in your heart what your goals are, in terms of strength/fitness and body image. All you need to do is work your way to achieve those goals long term.

Change doesn't occur overnight and abrupt changes in training do not constitute fixes or short cuts. If you feel you need to up on your cardio and HIIT, then by all means, do so. Cramming up workouts for 21 days without rest is not going to quick fix things either.

Make sure that every change you make has a purpose and a length of time. Also, be realistic in how you perceive yourself compared to others. It's all too common for a woman to think herself as fat when she's not and go in retarded starvation mode. Similarly, many men see themselves as too small (or worse, already fit when they are not) doing a lot of crap detrimental to their health.

Don't act on impulse. Do what you enjoy, but don't act on impulse on something that you don't like. If you are going to change something that you don't like (in your workout frequency or workout plan), do it with for a calculated purpose, with plan and premeditation... but most important of all, patience.

Beyond that, I'm not sure what else to say because we really don't know what exactly is preocupying you. If it is because you are not seeing results, you have to remember that these things take time. It is a lifetime of dedication.

Don't fret over it. Do the type of physical activity that makes you happy and that will get the results you want over time. It's a matter of balance that each and every one of us must find.

**Marrt** · Posted On: 7/04/2008 10:05pm

Hey Lily,
In all seriousness, I'd suggest posting somewhere else. :adios:

- On T-Nation.com's boards. http://www.t-nation.com/tmagnum/index.jsp

Either the Powerful Women forum or the Muscle Sorority forum are 90% women who all train pretty seriously and I'm sure may have struggled with exactly this starting out and probably have some more applicable advice than you might get here.

You could also try -
www.figureathlete.com which is the T-nation sister site for women figure competitors - but it is mostly focused on competitive training and it's proably only the "off-topic" board that'd appropriate for this question.

(reposting after "Billy the Kid" nixed it off to Trollshido prematurely).

**Lily** · Posted On: 7/04/2008 10:34pm

Thanks everyone, up till Dec 07 I was working for a milestone and I was happy with the balance I achieved (recovery, no body image issues, overall fitness). I now don't have a clear goal and seem to want to be everything.

I want to be fast, strong, explosive, agile, flexible and have great endurance (and still look good). I always have this sense that I"m trying to juggle too much and balance is lost. For the record, I haven't stepped on a scale for more than a year.

I'm proud that I have a clean lifestyle (I eat well and don't throw it up), but there's a point I also recognise that I put some socialising and holidays on hold because I fear not getting my workout in for the day. That's pretty unhealthy but I don't have the motivation to change that.

Thanks Marrt for the links, much appreciated.