posted Sun, 06/14/2026 - 12:35
127
+ 1 Not bad for 54. Recently suffering from burnout
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I've been suffering with real burnout lately. Mostly mental. I'm hoping some ecouraging comments will help me get out of this funk I'm in. I haven't missed more than a few days at the gym since I've been a teenager. I don't know why I've been so burned out. Most likely because I'm going through a divorce and the stress is destroying my motivation and energy. Any advice or words of encouragement greatly appreciated. Sometimes we all need some feedback. I've been feeling so alone bored and lonely lately.
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Only thing I know to be true is. This shit feeling...this too shall pass. Youre not gonna be feeling this way forever.
"Its darkest before dawn"
Sounds like you definitely need something to inspire you/light a spark. Treat yourself. Be good to yourself.
When nothing is certain, anything is possible!!
I think you just need to cut yourself some slack mate reading between the lines. I can't comment on going through a divorce as I've never been married - I've always fucked things up way before that stage lol But depending on the circumstances of it and who wanted out of it things, it will always I imagine still be very tough and painful even if its you that called time on it. Its a big part of your life that is ending effectively. Therefore that in itself is going to make you feel negative, downbeat and void of motivation/energy. You also have to face reality in that as you get older your body takes more time to recover and heal, to get re-energised. I am 46 and notice I carry way less determination for picking up weights than I use to do largely because my body doesn't feel as strong and full of energy as it use to. In my mid to late 30's I absolutely WOULD NOT miss any training sessions or meals no matter how tired or ill I felt - I would battle through anything come what may. These days if I feel I need an extra day of rest then I generally will take it. I find going into a session still feeling beaten up and flat generally makes me feel even worse afterwards rather than better. As long as you are still training, achieving the goals that make you feel personally satisfied and content then thats all that matters - its stopping altogether that you don't want to be doing.
Man, if you’re going through a divorce and still showing up to life, you’re already carrying a heavier load than most people realize. Burnout isn’t always about being weak, lazy, or lacking discipline. Sometimes it’s the bill that comes due after carrying stress for months or years without giving yourself a chance to recover.
It’s ok to take a day or 2 off. It might not make your mind feel better but it will definitely make the body better.
Take a day off from work and go fishing
Smoke a premium cigar
Go get a massage ( w/ or without a happy ending)
Hey man been there. I'm 57 and shit life can beat you down and same old gym patterns get stale. Perhaps an odd suggestion...but consider switching to heavy sandbags for a while if you haven't experienced it. It's a totally different approach and just damn awesome. If you are new with it be safe and learn the technical components (yeah 200lb sandbag isn't like 200 lb on a barbell) - and blast the basics - box squats, shouldering, bear hug carries, rows (and then more rows). Go as heavy as you can and keep pushing it. For mental burnout I suggest strength endurance as a focus - it has worked great for me. By that I mean do heavy ass box squats for 30 min - 1 hour continuously (yes pause as you need to with it in your lap). I did 235 reps with 220lb today in 1 hour. It was brutal. It's mental and that kind of long-term pain just rewires your brain. Try a bear hug carry with a heavy sandbag and it'll be a level of discomfort that is hard to describe. Berserker rage bro, put it all into the sandbags in your garage or basement. If it's hypertrophy you want, your posterior chain will explode - your back will get massive. Your hams and quads will find new life. Use traditional weight training for targeted muscle groups and isolation work to become better at sandbags. Go find a big stone and carry that like a gorilla around your yard. I guess my suggestion is find a workout focus, a sport other than blasting machines and barbells. Nothing wrong with that for sure, but just to keep it fun.
Thank you that means a lot. I wish I could post a picture but I just can't figure it out. Maybe it's my android phone no idea
When I am stressed out I go to the range personally. I also used to be amateur box or so sometimes I’ll hit the heavy bag speed bag or both. Also pray a lot that seems to do me good maybe get out and go watch a movie by yourself give you time to reflect.
I don't know how to add picture