Does everyone go through a "blah" period?

[gummybear]

If you have been consistently active for a longer time, have you found that you go through periods where you are just kind of not into it? Not a complete slug period where you do nothing and gain 10 lbs, or an extended time off for an injury or anything, just kind of a funk.

I worry that I will slip back into old habits. I've been active since I had my youngest 2 years ago, and running is my primary cardio activity. I love it, for what it does for my mind as much as my body. But, with the heat, and a minor tweak of my ankle, July was an ugly month mileage wise (though I was still lifting weights as much as I always have). I am back in the saddle for August and I have a half in November, so I am hoping I defunkify sufficiently.

Is it normal to go through this minor down periods? What do you think is the line between a funk and being out of it completely? 

[sitnspin]

I go through it every once in a while.  Thank goodness I HAVE to workout because I teach and own my business, or I would be a major slacker some months.  July was not super motivating for me and even though I stuck to my routine, I did scoff about it a few times.

[ebeth]

yep. that's when I know it's time to switch it up.

I generally love running but sometimes I don't. if I don't have a race on the horizon, I'll switch it up and take a running break. eventually I come back to it. I've never found something else I like as much, but it's OK if you do. exercise is mandatory. running is not.

[gummybear]

Aug 7, 2013 12:23:24 GMT -5 ebeth said:

yep. that's when I know it's time to switch it up.

I generally love running but sometimes I don't. if I don't have a race on the horizon, I'll switch it up and take a running break. eventually I come back to it. I've never found something else I like as much, but it's OK if you do. exercise is mandatory. running is not.

I really like this. Sometimes I feel guilty if I let my running slide. I can't really explain it. But I feel bad about myself, esp. when I am not maintaining my long run, as though nothing else is as good.

[trigal]

I've been through this. Sometimes I really do need a break. But, most of the time, I just need a new goal. It can be a race or a weight training program, just something!

[hannahb]

Definately. Like others have said, maybe switch things up a bit. That can usually shake me out of a blah stage. Sometimes your body just needs a rest too. I try and not let this get too long otherwise its hard to jump back into exercise!

[gummybear]

Aug 7, 2013 12:37:15 GMT -5 hannahb said:

Definately. Like others have said, maybe switch things up a bit. That can usually shake me out of a blah stage. Sometimes your body just needs a rest too. I try and not let this get too long otherwise its hard to jump back into exercise!

Yes this is my fear! When does go from "taking a break" to "off the horse"? I am in a better mindset now than I have been in the past when I've gone from running halfs to completely inactive (under the guise of resting and before you know it is has been 3 months), so I feel like I am able to recover from these slow periods.

I need to step up the long run because my preferred method of training is a longer model, but since we joined a new gym, I think I will check out the classes. 

[shauni27]

Aug 7, 2013 12:26:58 GMT -5 gummybear said:

Aug 7, 2013 12:23:24 GMT -5 ebeth said:

yep. that's when I know it's time to switch it up.

I generally love running but sometimes I don't. if I don't have a race on the horizon, I'll switch it up and take a running break. eventually I come back to it. I've never found something else I like as much, but it's OK if you do. exercise is mandatory. running is not.

I really like this. Sometimes I feel guilty if I let my running slide. I can't really explain it. But I feel bad about myself, esp. when I am not maintaining my long run, as though nothing else is as good.

I go through this occasionally, and until recently I would either stop for a few days or just reduce the amount I was running by a bit, but was still running as my only exercise.  But this summer I have gone from running only (20 miles a week or so) to running twice a week (about 10 miles or less) and doing strength.  I suddenly love my new routine and I am seeing weight fall off a lot more so I think it is working for me!  And I think if I decide to do another distance race again this will make me excited to train again, versus just slogging through it for the last few halves.

[Wines Not Whines]

Yes, definitely. I usually get pretty burned out after training for a race, so I step back from running for a while (I don't give it up completely, but I significantly reduce mileage). I also struggle a lot during the winter, because it's hard to get outside.

[Susie]

For sure. I've been in one kind of since my HIM in June. I'm trying to be patient with myself, but I'm ready to snap out of it!

[naldridge]

I was once upon a time completely obsessed with exercising and made it a huge priority over things that were much more important. Additionally, I wasn't eating and ended up doing a lot more harm, both mentally and physically, to myself than good.

Now, as I try to find a healthy balance, it is hard to make myself have rest days or just be okay with blah periods but I realize it is worth it. Exercise is important but taking time off or switching up what you do is a-okay.

[artgirl823]

I'm there right now, lol.

And I hear you on the running guilt. I feel like if I'm not constantly working towards a PR, I'm going to gain back all the weight I lost and go back to being a slow runner. I think when you've worked hard for something, it becomes a very real fear that it could be taken away.

Have you considered a "running vacation?" Sometimes, I'll tell myself I'm not allowed to run for a week. Like PP said, exercise is mandatory, but running is not. So I'll take a spinning class, focus on weight lifting, or read trashy magazines on the elliptical. I don't think I've ever even made it the whole week before I wind up really WANTING to run, and when I do go for a run after my break, I usually end up rocking it and having fun again. 

[keweenawlove]

I've gone through this plenty of times. It get exhausting trying to maintain an intense exercise routine. In college, we always took a 2 week recovery period at the end of ski season to "recharge our batteries." It was never completely "off" time but we'd do thinks like mountain bike and ultimate frisbee. I try to take a week off a couple times a year to do this.