my fitness faux pas

you know all these get fit shows on tv? biggest loser is the main one that jumps to mind but there's also that "losing it with jillian" show. also, on W, there are these canadian shows about "bulging brides" or something like that with the former football guy, tony europe. anyways, they all have unhealthy, overweight people at the beginning of the show that the trainers work SO hard. so hard, you think they might have a heart attack. i always think, "wow. i always hurt after a hard workout and my workout is nowhere near as difficult as this. how do they keep going the next day and the next day?" i concluded that i don't work hard enough and i'm a big baby.

this past time that i started getting back to the gym, i went to my chiropractor first since my neck and shoulders have been in turmoil since lifting ben around for the past year. i was chatting with him about these shows (because he's an been in ironman races and is my fitness guru) and he's laughing, telling me that we have no idea what's going on behind the scenes on these shows. this is tv. i shouldn't be working out like these people. our bodies need to ease into and rest between hard workouts. this makes me feel better. but after my chiropractic adjustment, i, of course, went to the gym for an hour long class everyday for a week. no resting for me. and of course, i quickly burn out.

a couple days ago, i started counting points again. and i have yet to get back to the gym. so here, on the cusp of beginning a workout regimen again, i get this email titled 6 Fitness Faux Pas from Shape magazine. the #3 faux pas? Exercising too hard, too often

The facts:
If you don't rest enough between hard cardio or strength workouts, you'll stop making progress and may even lose some of the fitness you've gained. You're also likely to burn out on exercise.

The fix:
To keep your muscles fresh and your motivation high, alternate shorter, tougher cardio workouts (for instance, 20 minutes) with longer, easier days (40-60 minutes). Don't go all-out more than twice a week. Keep in mind that the more intensely you train, the more time your body needs to recover. It's a good idea to do a couple of tough workouts and take 1 day completely off each week. On the strength-training front, take at least 1 day off between sessions that work the same muscle group.

ahh - a good reminder. i don't have to go to an hour long "cardio blast" class everyday. hopefully this time, i can use moderation. no "losing it with jillian" for me.