Workout Failure

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8/29/12 9:59 P

I totally know where you're coming from with the All or Nothing, and it has to be "Perfect" feeling. I'm exactly the same way, and I've given up on trying things so many times just because I had trouble with something, and I have little patience. I've come to realize though, that if I don't start somewhere, I'll never be "perfect" at anything. And I know at this point I have to do something, to get the extra weight off, since I seem to be pretty accomplished at packing it on over the last couple years, so I've just had to suck it up and do the best I can.

A month ago, I told my husband that I couldn't do a pushup, even girly ones.. and now after a couple weeks of the same workout DVD that includes pushups, I can do 20 "girly pushups" and even a few from my toes. Just keep trying, it does pay off eventually.

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8/29/12 7:06 P

I can identify with you. I couldn't exercise for a great part of my life. In fact I started exercising this year by walking using Leslie Sansone videos on YouTube. It was a gradual process. There are times that you will feel discouraged but you just have to keep on. Presently, I run and go to the gym. I would never have thought I could do any of this, as at January this year.

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8/28/12 2:56 P

THELOVELYBIRD,

Power Yoga can be very intense for someone who's never done yoga before. So, don't beat yourself up because you couldn't complete the workout. Have you ever tried yoga ? Was this your first time ? If so, there are better beginner yoga DVDs out there. You might consider one of Peggy Cappy's DVDs. they assume no prior experience and she DOES show pose modification.

Any good DVD workout should give people options or levels. So, if this workout didn't give options, you have nothing to be ashamed of.

If you're new to regular exercise, you really do have to ease into a regular program. Don't try to do everything at once or you will end up frustrated. If you really enjoy yoga, personally, I suggest taking a class. some poses can be quite challenging and if you have any physical limitations (and we all have some kind of limitation), a good instructor will teach you how to modify a pose. Now, if you can't afford a class, then I recommend a good beginner yoga DVD by someone like Peggy Cappy.

One thing you could also do is go to your local library. go see what they have in their DVD section. BORROW a dvd workout from there. If you like it, you can buy it later. if you don't like it, you didn't waste any money. Your library is not only a great resource for books, you can borrow DVDs too.

Don't worry ! You didn't fail !! You just need to start more slowly to ease yourself into a regular routine. your strength and endurance will increase with time.

namaste

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8/28/12 12:21 P

Been there.. very frustrating. What helped me: I went to the video store (or Walmart, Kmart) and looked through DVDs, on a back it says what is dificulty level. Chose something for beginner. It still may be hard to finish whole video at once. The trick is... you stick to 1 DVD and do as much as you can. It could be only 10 min during week 1, then 15, then 20. It may take whole month to be able to do whole thing at once. But I can promiss to you, that after that first video you'll be able to do SO MUCH MORE! Just don't give up!

current weight: 210.0

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8/28/12 11:50 A

Hi THELOVELYBIRD,

Know that with time, patience and perseverance you will get stronger. Even Olympic athletes must practice and train consistently in order to get the results that want. And one thing I have found in my almost 51 years on this planet, is that the need to be PERFECT in anything and everything that we do, can be the biggest culprit to our success. Hang in there!

Coach Nancy

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8/28/12 11:02 A

I feel really defeated when I try a new workout and just cannot get through it. I tried power yoga today, and I just kept screaming in my head: "You are so WEAK." There was no modified version of the exercises, so I found myself just sitting there trying to figure out what to do with myself while the instructor moved through each exercise with ease.

I tried a cardio video on youtube yesterday and quit after 10 minutes--and then I feel bad for quitting, and not just taking a minute to get through it. I'm such a perfectionist, it's so all-or-nothing for me. If I can't do it perfectly, I don't do it all.

I don't know. I'm just frustrated. How do I deal with the disappointment I feel when I'm trying new workouts and can't do them properly?

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