So I started a fitness program of cardio and weight training in the effort to get into shape. I'm very much out of shape and have been for most of my life (I'm 25 now). I can't really remember a time when I actually WAS in good shape. Sometimes while I'm working out I become frustrated at myself because I'm already winded and dripping with sweat after 10 minutes on an elliptical or because I'm struggling with light weights because I'm so weak.

Now logically I understand the reality that I AM out of shape and I'm just starting out, so I shouldn't be able to perform like those who have been doing it for much longer. But I still find those feelings of frustration overcoming me. Anyone have any tips on overcoming this? I don't want this to become something that makes me quit.

Why be frustrated? That should be motivating enough. You could set some small goals with weights like every week I want to increase by 5lbs and just keep going and going. Being winded and dripping with sweat after 10 minutes of cardio is no big deal, I am dripping with sweat like ASAP, I get winded but I just keep that pace up and I've been doing cardio for a while. I had my resting heart rate taken today and it was 51 so dont get so aggravated get motivated!!!

You could also start a journal on this site that will give you motivation too.

Don't get discouraged, everyone has a different starting point. It just gives you even more room for improvment. It's great that you've decided to get in shape. Don't pay attention to how much weight other people can lift. It's about you. You should improve at your rate, don't force yourself to be at the same level as someone else if you're not ready. There will always be someone who is stronger, bigger, or faster than you, don't let it discourage you.

Thanks for the replies. I think part of it has to do with my social anxiety. It's something that I've been dealing with for the past six or seven years of my life, which has been a major factor in why I'm so out of shape. I'm finally beginning to overcome it, but I know it's something that still affects me in the gym.

Hey, don't be frustrated my friend......embrace this bodily reaction...BABY!

It is normal bodily reaction as you are applying a stress the body isnt used to.

And, right in front of my young friends' eyes, the body is already adjusting to the stresses!

The body WILL adapt and overcome; the MOST important thing you can do is:



And, the walls will come tumbling down--------BABY!





PrISm: You are in control, you are not the controlled. --Chillen


"You are the boss, the giver and the receiver" --Chillen

While your body was in its equilibrium state, you made up your mind that you wanted to make bodily changes. When this occurred, your mental state became separate from the body; the body had no idea what your mind was planning until you executed your mental thoughts.

When you executed your mental thoughts, your body then learned what your mind already knew. Now their adjoined, but their is a difference: You didnt have any positive or negative consequences in mentally deciding to change your body composition, but once you executed your thoughts and trained, you broke the body's equalibrium state and thus gave the body "no choice" but to react.

The body just "hates" to change and is giving you signals to the same, while at the the same time---adjusting, adapting, and overcoming, the stresses you just applied and will recover and improve itself.


Ever wonder "why" its easier to gain weight for most people than to lose it? The body loves to store fat (Hey! I have eats later, man! Cool! And, gives happy vibes!); however, when the body has to resort to using its own tissue for fuel (litterally eating itself) it is not a happy camper.

The body prefers you to open your mouth rather than you closing it and have to eat itself for food, and will angerily tell you it doesnt like it.

Same in this case. The body is simply used to a past pattern. And, without an "outward" warning you abruptly changed this known pattern, and its telling you---"at first"---it doesnt like it---while at the same time--setting biological functions to rise to the occasion of the stress applied.

You have to recognize this bodily feed back as a positive one: The body is a funny mechanism. It is in one way telling you: WTF?! I dont want any part of this Sh@T! While at the same time making itself stronger from the very first workout stress you applied: The body can lie and tell you the truth.

Understanding this problematic, but essential and normal response is important. Some persons are really motivated until this essential factor begins to wear them down little by little. What one doesn’t realize is the reason for this response: The change has already begun—and the fruit from this effort is in fact a positive one to embrace.

You getting the feedback response because you had already begun a force of change: EMBRACE IT.

The body will adapt and this "current" feeling will subside and both you and your body will benefit--greatly!


The body is going to fight you negatively at the beginining both physically and mentally. At the same time, it will adapt and overcome in a very strong postive manner: Sort of a crazy combo, but this is true:

DESIPHER YOUR PERSONAL BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I invite you to read the Weight loss intricate as it deals with some if these issues and may give you a different perspective, my friend. Here is the the link:

http://training.fitness.com/weight-l...ate-27164.html



“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.”

(Henry David Thoreau)


ROCK ON, MY BROTHA!


Your friend,



Chillen

PrISM you come back here and post........dont you "dare" quit.......I will personally haunt you in your sleep.............

Write down your goals, everything you want to accomplish, not just fitness. Make sure to read them each day, as often as you can. Even about your anxiety, write something like, "I love people" or "People love me" or "I am not scared of interaction." When you write things down and read them, it is very powerful.

I do this and wrote that "Public speaking is very beneficial", "Im not scared of speaking", "Speaking in public is important to my career." Slowly but surely I feel more confident in my speaking classes.

What is it that you find so ' frustrating ' exactly ?

Also - just your best guess now.

What do ' you think ' is the primary reason that you're " winded and dripping with sweat after 10 minutes on an elliptical " ?

The answer to your question, Wrangell, is highlighted and underlined.

(Edit: Wrangell modified his post after I posted this comment)

If that was the answer, then I wouldn't have asked and underlined " feelings " in PrISM's post.

Understand yourself, find what motivates you. Aspire and deliver to yourself.

Remember this starting out feeling, and remember it well. Brand it in your mind like a branding iron. Instead of using it as a tool to cause frustration use it as a tool push yourself to become stronger. As you do and as you personally and physcically grow and prosper, the excitement feeling will be 100 times more powerful than the feeling of frustration you have right now, my friend.


There is no pleasure in life equal to that of the conquest of a vicious habit.
Anonymous

Real glory springs from the silent conquest of ourselves.
Anonymous


Think, see and hear correctly, BABY!

1. Stimulate your eyes in new ways.

2. Stimulate your ears differently.

3. Face your fears!

Chillen




Best wishes



Chillen

What have you been " anxious " about for so long - can you elaborate ?

First to answer the social anxiety question. I have social anxiety in which I fear any kind of situation that involves people, especially one that I'm not familiar with. Now most people feel some inherent anxiety, mine is more extreme. This has caused me to become more introverted as time goes on. It's a irrational fear of being constantly watched and judged by others. I've been seeing a therapist for it and taking medication so it is slowly getting better now.

I went to the gym again this afternoon. I've been going three times a week and this was my fourth time. Once again I had the feelings of frustration and inadequecy during my workout. I've always been fat and weak, so I don't KNOW what it's like to be fit. I'm guessing I just can't imagine myself being fit and assume this is the way I'll always because it's the way I've always been.

I am glad to see you are seeing a therapist and taking medication for your problem.

Now, you will be tripled whammied:

1. A Therapist, 2. Medication, and 3. A daily dose of Chillen-idis.


and you are all set for success BABY!

ROCK ON!


Best wishes



Chillen

I still hold to what I said earlier.