I have a confession to make:
I think my body was trying to tell me something and I tried to ignore it.
Cue random bout of sickies yesterday that had me down for the count.
Hello wake-up call!
Or as my super-smart friend Steph pointed out to me today in an email – it’s very likely that my Qi was off – that I was using too much yang (energy) and not giving myself enough yin (rest) time.
Hmm, she has a really good point. I have been working it really hard between running 4-5 times a week and going to barre n9ne classes 5 times a week. That’s a lot when you start to add it all up.
And, while I know my body can handle that kind of workload, I have to be more intuitive when it comes to my body cues. If I’m feeling tired, I need to rest. If I’m hungry, I need to better-fuel my body.
I can already tell that the extra rest last night worked wonders – I feel a LOT better this morning then I did yesterday. Almost a complete 180. And all it really took was extra rest yesterday, no workouts and a long night’s sleep with no AM workout today. So yeah, I’ve missed two of my planned runs this week. And I missed out on a barre n9ne class last night. But – the fact that I feel so much better today is a reminder that because I listened (begrudgingly!) to my body, it’s rewarding me with more energy and less sickies than just one day ago.
I have to admit, I am a little bit frustrated that I apparently haven’t been listening hard enough to my body. I always tell you all to listen to your bodies when it comes to working out and rest days and then here I am not taking my own advice (at least I’m better when it comes to rest days!). <sigh> I hope you all don’t think I’m a gigantic hypocrite because I kinda feel like one today. Hmph.
But anyway…this is my note to self for today: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY (yes, YOU). No excuses – just listen.
EatDrinkBreatheSweat 
Ok, you are not a hypocrite! You DID listen to your body! And I’m proud of you for doing it because I know how hard it is.
I should have listened to mine today. My throat is dry and scratchy and my belly hurts, yet I still got up and went to Core Fusion Express this morning. And now I feel like crap.
Aw thank you!! Your comment alone made me feel a million times better!! You’re right, it IS so hard to listen to your body especially when you love to workout as much as you do (and I do). I hope your tummy and throat feels better – rest up!!
No hypocrite!! You’re not super woman, you know. And no one expects you to be. 🙂
Happy resting.
Thank you for reassuring me – of course, I think I have to be perfect all the time and forget that I’m human too. Duh. Thanks for the reminder 😉
I totally understand that feeling…because I have it too – all the time. I am trying to learn how to forgive myself when I make a little “mistake” (even though it isn’t really a mistake…I skipped a workout. OMG. The sky is falling – though I’m convinced it is…). It’s a slow learning process….but we’re trying, right?
Once again – sisters separated at birth. That’s exactly what it feels like – the world is ENDING because I *gasp* missed a workout or two. I mean really, do we really need to take ourselves that seriously??? Your’e right – it’s a learning curve. slowly but surely.
How about – and listened to your sister? 😉 I think you are right, this, combined with your ridiculous commute lately and it did you in. I also think reducing our runs to 3 solid ones a week that are longer, versus 4-5 with one longer, will be good for us too.
Yup, and even though I hated to do it, I listened. And it worked because I am feeling a lot better today. Phew.
I’m still hoping to do 4 runs a week, one long and three of varied length/speed/intensity but I can probably (ok, definitely) afford to run less than 5 times a week and be perfectly ready for the half. Honestly, most of the time I just LOVE to start my morning off with a run, it just puts me into the right frame of mind (especially given that long commute!!). That’s why it’s hard for me to cut back on them.
i did the same thing yesterday! i didn’t have a lot of time to get in a solid workout in the morning so i planned to go after work. but i was so exhausted that i skipped it. i felt so guilty but in the long run, i’m glad i did. yay us!
GOOD! No guilt!!
Good job getting in that rest. I think right now, since your doing this challenge, it might be a little harder to listen to your body than it normally would. You’re focusing so hard and completely the 60 day challenge right now. Missing a workout doesn’t mean you’re not meeting the challenge completely. It means you’re being smart. You’re taking on a lot right now with that challenge then the half challenge. Maybe a little too much at once?
I know, you’re right – maybe I’m putting too much pressure on myself?? Could that be?? Nahhhh 😉
I think I just needed the step back to re-evaluate my approach to the half coupled with the challenge – and even just cutting one run a week from the schedule I think will help. Up until yesterday I felt great, I mean REALLY great throughout so I’m hoping a minor tweak is all that’s needed at this point. I’m having way too much fun.
Yay! I love it. Good for you. And you will reep the benefits! 🙂 🙂 keep listening
Thank you! You’re right – there is HUGE benefit to resting, as today is a total testament to that.
girl you are NOT a hypocrite!! you have found something you absolutely LOVE, and don’t want to stop! 🙂 I completely understand this. I also appreciate that you are listening now and taking care. feel better soon! ❤
bingo – I love it so much that I don’t want to stop, I only want more, more, more. So it’s hard for me to cut anything out or back, I just really am enjoying where this is all heading.
We ALL do that! I’m always reminding myself to follow my own advice, and that’s one of the best parts of blogging…we can hold ourselves accountable because we know better. 🙂 Glad the rest helped you have a 180. Hope you continue to feel great! xo
that’s true – blogging is huge on the accountability front – because if we’re saying one thing, we better be listening to that advice we’re doling out!! Thanks for “getting” me!!
Based on this lesson, you are going to LOVE my post tomorrow!
Ohhh I can’t wait to read it!!
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“I have to admit, I am a little bit frustrated that I apparently haven’t been listening hard enough to my body” Hehe!!
I’m the same though. I always preach it to other people, meaning it kindly and genuinely. Without realising that I’m also pushing myself way too hard! To be honest I don’t think we can ever definitively and permanently tune into our bodies though. It’s always something that’s going to come in cycles, and which we need to tune in and out of as our circumstances change. So it’s in no way a shortcoming on your part that you needed a gentle reminder. What’s important is that you took it, and ‘fessed up here, so that others are reminded to take a look at themselves too 🙂
Glad you’re feeling so much better for it too.
you’re right, no harm done – I *did* listen, right? And if it made you stop and listen? All the better 🙂
We’re all allowed a “hypocrite” moment…but I must say, I don’t find you hypocritical at all! Sounds like your body wasn’t speaking to you loud enough, soon enough. Then, BAM! Okay, I need rest. I go through that sometimes…I think excitement or a love for something (like workouts or running) can actually trick us into thinking we don’t need the rest…yet. Glad you’re feeling better, sweets. 🙂
I like the way you put that – my body wasn’t speaking loud enough for me to hear. That makes me feel a little bit less hypocritical, hehe. Thank you! 😉
Jess, you are most definitely not a hypocrite. We all can’t be perfect 100% of the time. It’s so much easier to give advice to others than it can be to take it ourselves at times. We try to hard to be superwoman/perfect/put 100% effort into whatever it is we do.
But as you said, listening to your body is ultimately the #1 thing we can do for ourselves, and it looks like you do a pretty darn good job at it! Glad you are feeling better!!
XoXo
Aw thank you Rachel!! You’re absolutely right – it is SO SO SO easy to dole that advice out, especially the tough advice nobody wants to hear. But the second that advice is yours to take, it’s much harder. Thanks for the vote of confidence, you’re the best!
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