I'm a little worried...

[Adon4Ever]

It seems like the last week or two, when I've been training... it seems like I'm feeling it more. Like I get drained more easily. Like for example, on non-class days I go straight from work to open workouts at the gym. And usually I can do all my bagwork fairly easily, without needing to get anything to drink. And certainly without needing to sit out any rounds (I'll do a total of 14 rounds of bag work - well... 14 including one round of ropework and one round of shadow kickboxing).

But yesterday... I ended up going for water twice during bagwork. And I ended up sitting out two rounds (but really that was more because I didn't get back from the water cooler in time, so if I went, it wouldn't have been a full round). I'm worried because... I haven't really been slacking off or anything. In fact, if anything I've actually UPPED my training regimen. I was forced into a hiatus for about a month or so due to the fitness room at my job being closed down (don't EVEN get me started on that ). But all this week I've at least been getting out to run - in ADDITION to my regular training, vis-a-vis roadwork. And while my weight loss has slowed down a bit, I AM still losing weight. In fact I'm down to about 244 (from 270 when I started training).

My theory is that it might be the heat. It's been kinda hot here lately, in general. Except for today since it rained earlier this morning. But apparently during the hot months, it gets REALLY hot inside the gym. Especially in the room with the ring, the heavy bags, etc, since there's no fan going. So I THINK that might be the reason why I'm feeling drained much quicker lately. But I'm not sure? Could that be it? Or could it just be my age? I mean, before then I could REALLY get after it, bust my hump, and git 'r' done. I don't seem to STAY in such a drained state. I still seem to recover quickly after the workout's finished. It doesn't take NEARLY as long to catch my breath or anything as it did when I first started doing this. But I'm worried that my getting so drained so quickly will cause my progress to stagnate. Or worse, be set back.

Well, if anyone has any ideas about this, then I'm all ears. Thanks!


Josh

[Aikidog]

Hey Joshua,

It could be the heat like you say. But let me ask you a couple of questions.

1) Are you under any kind of stress? Stress has a tremendous ability to sap your strength, stamina and concentration.

2) Are you eating right? Are you dieting in tandem with your training?

3) Are you sleeping right? This could be tied in with stress, or it could be that your working the night shift.

Look at all these different factors and see what comes up.

[Adon4Ever]

Hey Joshua,

It could be the heat like you say. But let me ask you a couple of questions.

1) Are you under any kind of stress? Stress has a tremendous ability to sap your strength, stamina and concentration.

Yes, very much so. I work in a rather high-stress occupation (I work in a call-center). The stress has been especially high lately.

2) Are you eating right? Are you dieting in tandem with your training?

For the most part I am. Trying not to eat a lot of junk food. And trying not to eat huge portions. I'm probably not perfect about it, but I try.

3) Are you sleeping right? This could be tied in with stress, or it could be that your working the night shift.

I get about 5-6 hours of sleep a night. But... it doesn't seem too awfully restful, as I usually hit the snooze button at least twice. Plus often times I find myself feeling tired by the time I get to my breaks at work. Lunches are different lately, because I run then. Like you say, I wonder if that's tied in to all the stress.

[Erik]

A lot of my colleagues and I are experiencing something similar. Theories: sleep disruption, poor sleep due to allergies, daytime allergies, heat, missing a few days of workout then working out again and finding that we've lost more than we'd expect from 3-7 days off, change in diet related to sugar (more sugar can make you tired), minor flu or cold that doesn't have a lot of obvious symptoms, general periodic stress and periodic moodiness that everyone gets from time to time. Also, slow, non-obvious dehydration due to allergies and heat.

Anyway, those are my theories.

Keep your chin up. You'll feel better. You may just need some rest.

[GrasshopperGirl]

I was just feeling the same thing. Getting winded REALLY quickly into class, muscle fatigue resulting in sloppy kicks, etc. It's pretty frustrating. Maybe I'm starting to feel my late thirties.

[Jay Bell]

I was just feeling the same thing. Getting winded REALLY quickly into class, muscle fatigue resulting in sloppy kicks, etc. It's pretty frustrating. Maybe I'm starting to feel my late thirties.

Hell...I'm feeling my late 30's at my early 30's

[Matthew Jones]

Overtraining would be my guess. Take a week off, drink a ton of water and get a massage. Make your first few times back really light and then begin to ramp it up from there.

[Adon4Ever]

Mmm...This sounds like a balance problem. Joshua, how often to you work and work out? And more importantly, where is your mind when you are doing them? Chances are you might be focusing too much and on too many things at different times.
What happens when you concentrate or work at something too much? You get a headache, you feel bad, and/or you are not at your best. Not drinking enough fluids and replacing electrolytes is also a problem in this summer heat.
Also as an aside, when was the last time you did something truely nice for yourself other than work and other than working out? Fishing, drinking in a bar with friends, taking that special person somewhere pleasent, knitting, grooming, etc..?

I usually work 40 hours a week. With the exception of this past week, I've had to work overtime (mandatory). And I'll train 5 days a week, and lately during lunches I have been running. It's only about a mile, but that's all I really have time for, since I get 45 minutes. Still, it is helping. But like I said in my earlier post, I do work in a high-stress environment. I dunno... maybe that could be it. I have a feeling that it is.

And it HAS been a while since I've really gotten to socialize or do anything other than working or training. I'm single, and not seeing anyone, so that rules out the "taking that special person somewhere". And though sometimes some people from work will get together for a few drinks, it's been a while since anyone's done that. But anyhoo, yeah, it has been a while since I've gotten to do anything relaxing.

All this being said, however... yesterday and today actually went well. I didn't feel so drained either one of the two days. Yesterday was MY Friday (I work Sunday through Thursday), and today was one of my days off. So maybe that has something to do with it. I dunno... But anyway, today's workout especially went well. So maybe this was just a temporary thing. Let's hope so...


Josh

[Da-RiSiN-sMoKe]

Overtraining would be my guess. Take a week off, drink a ton of water and get a massage. Make your first few times back really light and then begin to ramp it up from there.

It seemed Bruce Lee thought overtraining is better than undertraining.
But, seriously, take a break like once or twice a week.

[Jay Bell]

It seemed Bruce Lee thought overtraining is better than undertraining.
But, seriously, take a break like once or twice a week.

If he did, then Bruce was wrong in that idea.

[TonyU]

If he did, then Bruce was wrong in that idea.

Possibly in part why he's no longer with us. Good looking physical corpse though.

[starkjudo]

Possibly in part why he's no longer with us. Good looking physical corpse though.

Not anymore he's not!

[TonyU]

Not anymore he's not!

Yeah I know. I was thinking of adding "at the time of his death" to the post.

[Adon4Ever]

Thanks guys, but I DO totally take time off on Saturday's and Sunday's. And I haven't been feeling quite as bad as I was. I mean, I feel tired just after working out, but not to the point that it worries me like it was.

And also, I'm NOT just doing this for recreation now. I'm training to compete sometime in the near future. So I gotta keep things up. I'm not sure someone like me can afford to slack off.

But seriously, I really am feeling better. And I do take weekends off to rest and recoup. Thanks for all your tips - they really do help a lot!


Josh