Some "problems" I get with working out (Insanity/Cardio)

[Tow Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tow]

My "problems" with working out is, that I always can start during holidays, but as soon as university starts again, I am "too tired" to work out or "don't have enough time". Also, what's really annoying, is when you work out and have to get up at 5.30 am and you got muscle ache from working out.

The first two are just motivation problems. I see NOW that they are no problem, BUT as I came home then and are tired or think that I won't have the thirty/fourty minutes to do cardio I too often get weak. What do you recommend to power through everytime?

As for the muscle ache... Is there something I can do to reduce or avoid it?

[Richvextends Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Richvextends]

Tow,
If the university has a cross fit group that is the way to go. Workouts are only 20 minutes but the high intensity aspect of the regimen results in aerobic and anaerobic benefits. In the past I did cross fit and loved it. Made me sleep better, improved my sex life, and gave me the "runners high".

[Toadstool Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toadstool]

You can always switch the type of workout. Instead of doing insanity, switch to low volume weight training. You can get a good workout in 20 minutes and be able to keep it up daily.

You can join a sports group and go with friends so they can help keep you accountable.

As for muscle soreness, stretch after your workout, and apply ice after a hot shower.

[burtybasset Retired Moderator Member of the Month May 2014PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close burtybasset]

Also warming down will help, if you have been for a long distance run, a five to ten minute gentle walk will help disperse any lactic acid build up, as well as the stretching and methods above.

[Tow Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tow]

@richvextends: Unfortunately there is none, but I keep looking to get something similar.
@toadstool: Due to some problems with my right arm I won't be able to do weight training even with light weights, but I will keep that in mind. But would that be good cardio, because that's what I need at the moment
@burtybasset: Now as you mention it, we do that after soccer training, but somehow I didn't think of it with the cardio here. Interesting how the human mind can fail

Thanks for your answers.

[hiddengem Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hiddengem]

It is far easier for me to workout early BEFORE life gets in the way-otherwise you know it's too easy to make excuses. I wake about 1 1/2 hours before I actually need to in order to assure myself enough time to get the workout in. It is far too easy to let work, schooling, extra-curricular events or meetings get in the way of your workout otherwise. If it is important to you schedule it as you would any appointment. I also find bits of time on lunch break to walk or light jog.

Have you tried any supplements or even anything natural for muscle ache? I take an Aminos BCAA's supplement during or post workout when lifting or training intense cardio before or during competitive event, also whey protein immediately following workout many swear by. (I just switched to a gluten free plant based protein to see how that works for me). But chocolate milk even is cheaper and has the right ratios to do the job.

[Tow Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tow]

It is far easier for me to workout early BEFORE life gets in the way-otherwise you know it's too easy to make excuses. I wake about 1 1/2 hours before I actually need to in order to assure myself enough time to get the workout in. It is far too easy to let work, schooling, extra-curricular events or meetings get in the way of your workout otherwise. If it is important to you schedule it as you would any appointment. I also find bits of time on lunch break to walk or light jog.

Have you tried any supplements or even anything natural for muscle ache? I take an Aminos BCAA's supplement during or post workout when lifting or training intense cardio before or during competitive event, also whey protein immediately following workout many swear by. (I just switched to a gluten free plant based protein to see how that works for me). But chocolate milk even is cheaper and has the right ratios to do the job.

Thanks, but getting up even earlier to work out doesn't seem to help my motivation, maybe I can do this if I am more used to regular working out (again). Haven't tried any supplements yet except whey protein after the work out. Should definetely try that again.

Oh, and I find it very nice that you edited with the reason "grammar ~ redundant wording". Redundant wording, haven't seen somebody who did care that much

[hiddengem Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hiddengem]

I'm silly like that. Or perhaps it's a female thing? 😊

[thenewdude Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close thenewdude]

It's due to mental fatigue which also can affect you physically as well feeling spend or drained. You just have to fight through it and maybe change your mind-set.

[Toadstool Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toadstool]

I'm silly like that. Or perhaps it's a female thing? 

I know some of the women on this board and it is definitely NOT a female thing.

[Toadstool Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toadstool]

@toadstool: Due to some problems with my right arm I won't be able to do weight training even with light weights, but I will keep that in mind. But would that be good cardio, because that's what I need at the moment

I would recommend that you take your cardio to the morning - first thing. Wake up, run. Come back, eat.
Reason: it starts your day off well and you won't need that cup of coffee in the morning.
Also, cardio work is very stimulating. It releases all sorts of chemicals from the brain. You may find it difficult to sleep at night if you do it too close to bed time.

Otherwise, your issue is a motivational thing. Try some visualization. Before you get home, picture yourself in your mind taking the steps to get ready to go do your thing. If you're dead-set on doing "insanity," then maybe take it elsewhere: the home can have a lot of distracting things in it.

[chajadan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chajadan]

Right now my routine is very lite but I'm loving it. I do not push myself to any limits. I was doing weights 3x/week, for an hour each time, which was 2sets of 6 exercises. Now I'm doing circuit training of 2sets of 3 exercises, in an ABCABC format, and the whole routine takes me <= 10min! We all have 10 minutes.

One of my recommendations to you is ~not~ to think all exercise needs to be some form of totally intense and utterly to failure. At the end of my 10 minute routine, my heart is beating nicely, and my breathing obviously impacted. Shit, I can run 6 miles in an hour and not get my breath to barely budge, but this little circuit does it.

[Park Lib Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Park Lib]

When you construct your workout, focus mainly on a few exercises that work groups of muscles such as squats, pushups or deadlifts (if you lift weight). These will work the majority of the body in a short space of time. For lean, toned body, increase the reps and decrease the weight and vice versa for increasing muscle mass.

I prefer to do sprints rather than steady jogging, or try (as chajadan above me has mentioned) circuit training. If you are looking to gain size and lift heavy weight then your cardio needs only to consist of walking for an hour a day after your workout. You can fit this in by avoiding public transport (where it's possible), taking the stairs instead of using a lift, etc.

[Jakebfs Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jakebfs]

I'll chip in and say if you're doing morning sessions, do every day as a morning session.

Some people will disagree and say they like their few lie ins that they get, but I'm up before 6 every day and the hardest times were when I was getting up at that time twice a week- I was able to sleep in til 7-8 every other day of the week and the early rises always felt extremely early.

After a long time of getting up early every day, it is just routine and if I stayed in bed any longer I'd be lying awake wondering what to do. Similarly, the exercise hurt and was fatiguing for a few weeks, but if you are disciplined and stick at it it stops hurting noticeably.

Also having a workout done by 8am is a great feeling- especially if you then walk to class and see tired people dragging themselves out of the house, you know you've already done more exercise than they might do in the next 12 hours.

Like it has been said earlier, stay away from exercising too late at night, and keep off the sugar and caffeine after dinner to ensure you get a good sleep.

[chajadan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chajadan]

I've been doing "power of 10" weight training workouts lately. The primary method is 10 seconds in both the positive and negative movement, so each rep is 20 seconds, with no pauses in between reps, aiming for about 6 reps to failure. One exercise to the next, little to no rest, so circuit style. About 6 exercises, aim for full body, and do it about once every 5 days because you totally need the rest when working muscles that deep.

It's hardcore. I totally notice a difference in my muscles. I still run on a regular basis, but due to these "power of 10" workouts, when I run I feel like a tank. Working your muscles so thoroughly throughout a full range of motion not only promotes good form and reduces injury, it changes how you use your muscles. Like, when opening a tight jar, rather than in one big burst, you kinda grip like pliers and twist, under full control the whole time.

Plus, it seems to be a less draining workout. And while 5 days in between may seem excessive, my muscles seem to be doing some intense growing they weren't doing before.