Burned out!

[burntlizard]

Has anyone else gone through the "burned out" phase of hiking or exercise? Lately, it seems as if, life has taken a strangle hold of everything that I enjoy.....outdoors and hiking. Perhaps it's the endless Summer heat, or some other random excuse, but I'm in a deep hiking/exercise funk! In fact, my enjoyment of this site is waning too!

[big_load]

The standard advice for burned out runners is to change your workouts. I find it works pretty well for hiking, too. I go for a different kind of hike than I've been doing, or more short ones, or a really long town walk. I don't have as effective an answer for when work intrudes. One of my favorite running slogans is that 90% of the effort is putting on your shoes.

[trekkin_gecko]

mix it up - different kinds of hikes
find a goal hike, so you have a purpose for your exercise hikes
crosstrain
take some time off
if you don't enjoy it, you won't do it, so find something you enjoy doing
doesn't have to be hiking

[gummo]

I get burned out all the time. I try changing it up by experimenting with photography and hitting new areas. I also listen to audiobooks when I drive, which helps reduce the ennui on the long drives. Also, I look on rideshare section on craigslist and look for people wanting a ride to Southern California or Tucson and are willing to pay some gas money, which is how I was able to go there a lot this year inexpensively.

[Tough_Boots]

I added running and cycling into the mix. I find myself hiking a little less-- but still enjoying it as much as I always have.

[SuperstitionGuy]

I never experienced the "Burned Out" problem but employment certainly got in the way! ;)

[cactuscat]

One of my favorite running slogans is that 90% of the effort is putting on your shoes.

I like that. I find that often when I don't really feel like going for a hike - if I go anyhow, I feel much better and quickly get into it.

[imike]

Over training is common... especially common for those overly dedicated to a single activity, and the effects are both physical and mental. I'd suggest totally getting away from your normal activity for two to four weeks... and replace it with pure fun levels of other physical activity... go slow and easy. When you return to hiking, change up the patterns... I use canyon explorations to get me revived and revved back up... allowing the new discoveries to add a twist to the hours.

High level training is best experienced through "periodization"... basically cycles you move through seasonally, wherein only the highest levels are maintained for short periods of time, followed by rest periods. It is common to break a year into three or four sections, peaking then recovering between each section.

Everyone is different... you have to discover what best works for you. I recover by heading out soft and easy, find a rock tucked back in a distant canyon... plopping down and reading for the day! I train over 3-5 months, with ever increasing monthly AEG's... ideally. Then I quit for a month or so... biking or maybe just sitting at home reading.

[PatrickL]

I went through this all summer, but I've been getting out more in the last month or so. I blamed the heat a few times, too!
My problem is getting my lazy pumpkin out of bed in the wee early hours of the morning. Granted "morning" is 2-4am...

[imike]

In fact, my enjoyment of this site is waning too!

Now that is an entirely different issue... could be influenced by an up drift in IQ points... interacting with a new set of more sane friends... eating a balanced diet?

[RedRoxx44]

I got cancer around 2001/2002 and that changed my life in a hurry. I suddenly couldn't do some things I liked to do, and wasn't sure I could ever do it. Now I do go through sometimes a lack of enthusiasm, but once I saddle up and get going it's fine. I realize that life is very uncertain and if it comes a time I can't do something I love---I want to leave it on my terms; not because of an external factor. That helps keep me going.

[AZLumberjack]

@burntlizard
Take it from an old(er) fart, this is not the period in your life that you should be burning out, especially if it involves anything relating to keeping fit. It only gets harder to get back into shape and tone up those dormant muscles.

I used to be a very active hunter and fisherman, but too many changes (rules & regulations, increasing cost of gas, etc) forced me to find something else that perked my interests. I have always enjoyed the out-of-doors so I modified my use of the outdoors by including hiking with bicycling, ATV'ing, geocaching and photography. Once again, I'm having fun and staying in shape (hopefully)

[chulavista]

I can so relate to the burned out thing! One of the reasons I found this website is because I got so totally burned out on the structured fitness regime I was trying to keep up with. I packed a bunch of weight back before I got off my carcass, and it was because I love to hike. I decided "do that for your fitness regime". I still have to make myself get out there some times, especially when I've been burning the candle at both ends. But I do it, because coming back after not doing it for so long is a lot harder than just pushing through. And I do feel really good after I start moving.

[Hippy]

the burn out is a sad state to be in, well i think so anyway. about 3 years ago i use to swim every single day, i mean EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Then one morning I woke up, got my suit on walked to the pool and just stared at the water, I just didn't want to anymore! I haven't swam as much since i just got burned out and never went back to my intense training until recently but even now i don't train half as hard as i use to... Swimming and hiking or backpacking are by far my favorite things to do, and when i burned out in swimming laps i felt like a chunk of me was missing or was turned inside out or something!
so as of late i've set my sights on open water swimming and practicing different strokes, gotta keep it fresh and new, never let it get old. I don't think I've ever
As for hiking, i'm sorry you're feeling so blah especialy about this site, maybe you need to mix it up a bit? meet some new crazies or go for a hike you've never even considered? or try running a trail or even mountain biking instead...i don't know your history but i'm sure everything will be fine in the end.

[fricknaley]

this may be 100% irrelevant, but my hiking enjoyment skyrocketed when i put down my camera. i shelved the camera and my hiking world opened up

[rwstorm]

@fricknaley
The reverse is true for me.

[trekkin_gecko]

so far we have:
1. variety
2. just do it
i would add:
3. convenience
has to be easy to get out for the day to day stuff
i can go right out my gate into papago park if i get crunched for time and have several bike routes right out the door
usually prefer a hike i have to drive to, but that's not always realistic
currently battling injuries so i'm dying to do some of the stuff i see y'all out doing
i've been burned out on a certain trail, or swimming laps, or gym climbing, but never entirely

[chulavista]

this may be 100% irrelevant, but my hiking enjoyment skyrocketed when i put down my camera. i shelved the camera and my hiking world opened up

I can relate to this too! I don't like video cameras at all. I'll take a snapshot, but I won't video, because I feel like I miss too much. On the other hand, I'm afraid I'll miss a great photo opp for a future drawing or painting, so I'll never leave my camera at home on purpose.

[fricknaley]

@RWStorm
hahaha...

[autumnstars]

Also, taking someone out with you who's new to hiking, or even just new to that trail, really gives you a new perspective.
For me, it seems to refresh my mind and open my eyes.