Why do I feel like it's never enough????

 Do you ever feel like you've done enough.  For some reason, I feel like I'm not doing enough exercise and I'll start regaining.  In the last week I did (this is after a week break after my half marathon)

Tues:  5 miles on my elliptical (level with hills)
Wed:  1/2 mile walk (before son's soccer game) then 1 hour of tap dancing class
Thurs:  4 miles on elliptical, half hour walk with friend at lunch
Friday:  4 1/2 mile gut buster hill walk with friends
Sat:  4 miles on elliptical
Sun: about 3-3 1/2 mile hill walk

I still feel like I haven't done enough exercise.  I'm trying to curb my night time munchies, but other than that, I eat really well and not too much, concentrating on protein.  I really don't have the time to put in more exercise, but I constantly feel like I'm not doing enough.  Is my routine ok?  I know I don't have any weight training in there, though I have the weights and a routine at home.  But I feel I need to do the aerobics more.  Am I getting obsessive or fearful over nothing, or am I really not putting out enough effort?

Why do I feel like I'm going crazy over this?
Thanks for your help.
Jan

I would cut back on the cardio and add in weight training.  As we lose weight we lose muscle mass.  Muscles are the fat/calorie burning machines in our bodies.  The leaner the stronger the muscle the more calories/fat is burned.  If you aren't rebuilding what you are losing during weight loss then it can be harder to lose weight and be easier to regain.  It's also very good for your bones and it's good to build muscle to to help avoid injury.  Example-  if you walk or run a lot you could start having knee issues.  If you build up the muscles around your knee you are less likely to injure your knee. 

Also I notice you have no stretching in your routine.  Flexibility is a very important part of being active and it also helps you avoid injury.   

Good points.  I'm just not as motivated to do weights, though I have a set and a routine all set up at home.

I generally stretch after working out, didn't think to list it as something separate.

Thanks.  I think I'll add the weights back in T/Th.

Jan

Jan,

I posted something similar not to long ago.  Here is my experience and I how I can relate.

Prior to my marathon, I was in serious "training mode". My life revolved around training for this marathon. I was clocking some major runs and workouts. I was watching what I ate, but the scale reflected the work I was putting in on the road. Therefore, I probably didn't focus as much on my eating as I am now. A few weeks after the race, the scale started moving in the wrong direction. I got very depressed and worried. I spent this entire year focusing on this marathon and lived such a "disciplined" life style to achieve my marathon goal. I worried now that things were in more of an "off season mode" that I would fall back into back habits that caused me to be obese in the first place. I felt very lost and worried. I even felt like I could not take time to enjoy my accomplishment, because I was so nervous about the "what next" feeling.

Here is my advice for the both us and as I write this I am trying to convince myself as well. I have the power to choose to take control of my issue with weight. I have spent over three years (plug your years of experience here) changing my lifestyle to a healthier way of living. I have the skills and tools to stay in control. I will not wait until Monday to take charge of my weight or need for change, if the scale reflects the need for change. I will try to plan my meals better, make sure I'm getting in the right foods, drink plenty of water, keep making the gym a priority, switching up my workouts, lift weights, and work at the emotional side of being healthy everyday. I will spend more time on helpful sites like this one and will reach out to others for support. I know this is a battle I will fight the rest of my life. I will not put me on the "back burner". I will care for myself the way I would anyone else I love.

Best wishes to you. You are not alone. I can relate and I know we can get past this and win the battle.

Wow, you got exactly what I was getting at.  I'm going to print out what you said in your advice and put it up where I can read it every day.  You are so right.  It's scary, but we have the power.   But right now I think I'm just in the scary mode.  Even though I've signed up for a 5K in April (I now want to learn to run), Bay to Breakers (7 miles) in May, and a half in July, it's like I need the races to motivate me and finishing validates me and makes me feel strong.  But I think it's the nervousness you wrote about falling back into old habits. 

Thanks so much for understanding and helping. 
Jan

I think the problem also is getting stuck in a routine. You have to make sure that you're pushing yourself further every single workout - whether it be the levels or the duration. Weight training is also a good idea because it'll give you a different type of workout on top of cardio and help you tone up!

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