The Sticky 2/3 Spot

Posted: February 15, 2011 at 7:27 pm

Evening! Glad you all enjoyed my explanation of how I create my strength training plans. For the record – the one I gave in that post was just an example. I’m currently doing something a little different.

Last night at the gym I completed an upper body workout followed by Week 3, Day 1 of the Couch to 5K program. My upper body workout looked like this:

Machine Cable Row 3 sets x 10 repetitions
Machine Pec Deck Flye 3 x 10
Underhand Barbell Row 3 x 10
Pushups 1 x 10 on toes, 2 x 15 on knees
Side Lateral Raise 3 x 10
Dumbbell Bicep Curl 3 x 10
Tricep Dips 3 x 10

[If you have any questions on moves, don’t hesitate to ask!]

It felt so amazing to do my own weight workout again. I adore DVDs for cardio, but when it comes to weights I much prefer the gym. With one exception – lower body only workouts. I enjoy moves like squats, lunges, and step-ups but always hate doing one huge leg workout at the gym. Popping in a DVD motivates me to get through solely leg focused weight training. The plan I created for this upcoming 4 weeks follows an upper / lower / full body weight training split. I did my upper body workout for this week (above) yesterday. And today called for lower body. Cathe DVD to the rescue!

I chose the Legs & Glutes workout (one of my favorites!) for today and could certainly feel it working. I did a whole lot of these…

IMGP0056 IMGP0059

I also realized something during the workout, which I have dubbed The Sticky 2/3 Spot. Around 2/3 of the way through workouts that I’m not 100% feeling I get very distracted with thoughts like:

  • When will this be over?
  • No more! No more! No more!
  • Do I HAVE to do this exercise/last X minutes?
  • This. Stinks! (although sometimes another word slips in)
  • And so on…

Something about that 2/3 mark makes me feel like the workout will never end and I instantly feel my motivation waning. Then, oddly enough, the last sets or last few minutes of cardio come up and I suddenly have energy like I could go all day. The gripes turn into wondering if I could do more or go a little longer. It’s just getting through that Sticky 2/3 Spot when it pops up in particular workouts. I bet I will have to remember this situation when I get into longer runs, huh?

Question of the evening – Do you experience the Sticky 2/3 Spot? In which workouts the most? I would say spin class and leg training days are the most common culprit for me.

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44 Comments to “The Sticky 2/3 Spot”
  1. lindsay says:

    That happends to me right in the middle of my workout, but then 5 minutes later, its like I am on cloud 9! I guess mine would be the sticky 1/2 spot. haha.
    Love the new workout. I prefer upper/lower body days as well.
    STRONG MOMMA!

  2. I definitely get the 2/3 itch! It’s almost ALWAYS mental in my case when I’m on the treadmill or elliptical and just bored out of my mind 🙂

  3. See, mine is the 1/3 spot…if I can push past the first third then I’m home free!

  4. I think I actually have a harder time at the beginning of workouts. Once I’m 2/3 of the way through, I feel like I might as well finish!

  5. Karen says:

    I always get that way around 2/3 of the way through my workout. I thought it was just me but I guess I’m not the only one : ) To bust through I try to re-focus my thoughts…it usually works!

  6. Lauren says:

    This happens to me too! It takes about 2 miles to get into my running groove, and then I feel great for the rest of the time. For spinning, I think it’s the 2/3 time, but by the end, I want more!

  7. During the winter I run at a track, and after a while, I get a little tired of going around in circles. 5.25 circles per mile.

    If doing a workout dvd, I usually have fun with cardio but drag more with strength training (I think I am your opposite, Tina). It feels good to finish, though. And like Jess said, it’s usually more challenging for me to get started than to finish once I have started.

    You inspire me, Tina! I need to fit more and more strength work into my routine.

    • Tina says:

      I drag with strength training DVDs too. Love it at the gym…but not as much on DVD. Except legs. Hate doing just legs at the gym.

      • Melissa says:

        That didn’t come out quite right. I did see you prefer the gym over a strength dvd except for legs. I just meant opposite in terms that you’ve said you love strength training. I prefer cardio over strength in general. It’s great that you created a plan that works well for you!

  8. Kelly says:

    I don’t hit the 2/3 spot but the 1/2 mark. I am a glass half empty kind of girl and when I get to the halfway point instead of being excited that I am halfway through I instead instantly think I am only half way and have to do this all again! But it will usually pass as soon as I get to the 2/3 mark and then I feel great. For me even getting 1% over the halfway mark makes it all better. Not surprising from what you know of me huh? 🙂

  9. I’m the opposite with spin. It’s at the beginning that I don’t want to be there, but towards the 2/3 spot, I don’t want it to end!
    However, in yoga I tend to hit the 2/3 spot.

  10. That is a kickbutt workout. I do hit that wall typically with leg workouts. I’ve definitely hit it with my recent training runs on the treadmill

  11. That happens to me ALL THE TIME!! Especially on the treadmill.

  12. the sticky 2/3 happens to me all the time! More often with weights, so now I go to BodyPump class because I would feel bad just walking out. When I run long runs I try to go with someone. The extra person is so motivating, I don’t want to be the one who decides to walk!

  13. That happens to me anytime I have a lot on my mind. In fact I think it is worse now that we have the kids. There are just too many things going through my head. I have to force myself to focus.

  14. I get stuck in the 2/3 spot. I’m always thinking about everything I have waiting for me to do at home. 🙁

  15. Krysten says:

    This workout looks awesome! I workout solely at home, do you have some good workout video recommendations?

    • Tina says:

      Seriously anything by Cathe is fabulous! She does use more equipment (like steps) but if you have that type of stuff or can easily get one I highly recommend everything of hers.

      Other than that Turbo Jam is my favorite. And I really want to try Insanity. I also hear great things about Jillian Michaels and Jackie Warner stuff but have never tried it.

  16. I totally understand on the two-thirds needed push to get through! Happens to me on most workout videos!

  17. Ugh, I hate the 2/3 spot. I get especially bored with leg workouts, I get so easily distracted and end up quitting before I’m done.

    • Tina says:

      Me too. I think that’s why I have to do videos for leg only days if I have them. There’s only so many variations of a squat and lunge you can motivate yourself to do at one sitting. 😉

  18. Lee says:

    I”m the opposite when it comes to gym vs dvd. I like to do weight dvds and like to do cardio at the gym.

    I do feel that 2/3rd thing when I run.

  19. I have the “bleep, bleep” thing going on during most of my workouts (usually about half to 3/4 through) 😀 But it’s always worth it in the end. If I don’t have those moments, I feel I didn’t push myself hard enough.

  20. I definitely feel the 2/3 workout feeling! It’s usually during a video or when I’m doing a treadmill run!

  21. Yeah, that happens to me too. I think it depends on how I’m feeling, how much energy I have, and how long the workout is. Sometimes I start out motivated and then just get really tired and/or bored or something.

  22. Michelle says:

    Yes – definitely with spinning! I swear every spin class I look at the clock at the exact same time and think – ‘when is this going to be over?’ Then by the end I feel like I could just keep going for another half hour!

    I also experience this at work. I leave at 5 and the 3-4 hour is THE WORST. But of course, once 5 hits I’m in the middle of doing something and I have to force myself to leave.

  23. Helen says:

    I totally feel the 2/3 feeling when I am on the treadmill! You are looking great after baby 🙂

  24. That does happen to me, but that’s when I crank up the volume on my “upbeat workout” playlist. I really need a playlist just for those moments, one full of “you can do this” and “you rock” songs.

  25. Dorry says:

    That happens to me at different points of my long training runs – sometimes I don’t want to go to begin with and feel amazing 1/2 way through and sometimes I’m really excited about it, then 1/2 way through wish I was done. A good power song on my iPod usually pushes me through!

  26. Jolene says:

    The 2/3 spot! never heard it put that way before, but so true…yet, I find I am more antsy at the beginning, and once I get drenched in sweat is when I REALLY start enjoying the workout. I sweat tons during leg workouts…especially Cathe’s! Do you notice that too?

  27. Heather says:

    I experience this when running and when doing an at home workout. Never when I’m at the gym teaching or taking a class! Guess I like having other people around me when I work out…. 🙂

  28. Allie says:

    Ughhhh I know all about that 2/3 spot! I feel it each night at swim practice. I know if I push through the practice it not only makes me better but I know I can get through other 2/3 spots in my life in general 🙂

  29. Totally–I start looking at my watch! I’d imagine it’s especially tough without a full night’s sleep!

  30. OMG, I definitely experience the 2/3 spot in spin classes…that’s why I dont do them haha. I also feel that way with DVDs I have done so many times the instructor gets annoying!

  31. Great workout!! Cathe always makes me want to scream bad things or think those things 2/3’s in. She’s a toughie but I LOVE her!

  32. The majority of the time, the hardest part of my workout is getting myself out of bed to go to the gym. Usually once I’m there I’m motivated to get through it.

    • Tina says:

      Yea that would prob be hardest for me too if I worked out 1st thing in the am. I,ve never been able to do those types of workouts.

  33. sometimes when i’m doing long runs the first half mile i feel like that (more sluggish) then i snap out of it really quick and feel fine, about 2/3rds (sometimes) i feel like it again but it only lasts for a bit.. i’ve learned to work through it and get win the mental battle!

  34. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tina Reale, Tina Reale. Tina Reale said: The Sticky 2/3 Spot: Evening! Glad you all enjoyed my explanation of how I create my strength training plans. Fo… http://bit.ly/fmPycj […]

  35. I hate all leg workouts–regardless of what form or where they happen! Bleh!

  36. Whoa. The Sticky 2/3 spot is REAL!!! I always start to feel that way when I’m running. I check the time/mileage every .05 seconds, think “only X more minutes” or “omg this sucks why am I doing this??” LOL

  37. Karen says:

    I never noticed when it hits but for me, the best way to pretend it isn’t happening is to not look at the clock! When I used to take spin class I would even position myself so I could not see what time it was. Amazing how much easier class was without seeing how long it was taking. Yesterday I threw my sweatshirt over the display of my treadmill.

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