Tag: MLselfcare

Work Out, Balance Out

In times of transition or “chaos” I have always found comfort in working out these past 6 years that I’ve been living that fit life (haha).

Thursday is my last day of work here, new job starts Monday, thinking of moving jobs/offices, moving houses, and all the details and planning that come with. 

I have been seeking out time to run/work out/even walk just to get away from planning/thinking/feeling like I’m wasting time. 

When I’m working out that is all I can really do. I can think, sure, but if I don’t have a pen to write down a thought or make a list it’s kind of moot for me during stressful times. I commit fully to the workout and let my mind take a break (which sometimes it can’t even do when I’m supposed to be sleeping).

Last week I got Body Pump in and a few runs/walks.

Since Sunday I’ve gotten a run in, walked, went to yoga, Body Pump, and plan on going to 2 more Body Pump classes and getting a run and/or bike ride in when I’m “off” on Friday. 

Wooosaaaa

WIW

2 weeks ago: 194.9

This week: 192.9

I want to be back in the 180s so bad and I know I’m on track. Once I get into the 180s I want to maintain there. I am happy in the 180s, but still working out and eating right without overdoing it. I’ve been in the 170s twice (briefly) and my life was centered around running and working out. I love running and working out, but I don’t want it to consume me. 

I had a really good chat with my friend C over the weekend. We’ve shared our ups and downs with weight and she said “this is where my body wants to be and I’m accepting that.” She said in order to be at an “ideal” weight, she had to obsess over it. Obsessing over food and working out takes the JOY out of it. As we’ve all learned this week from Chewbacca mom, we need the simple joys in life. 

On the upswing

I needed to blog out some self pity yesterday which did help. Now onto better happenings:

  • Yesterday I went to lunch time yoga at work and we focused on FEET! Lots of foot stretches that felt great. 
  • After work I ended up walking to the gym (.75 miles) going to body pump and walking back. I had hoped to run there and back, but my heel just wasn’t having it. 
  • Today I’m working from home so couch snuggles with Fred is always good for my mental health. 
  • My first Blue Apron box is arrives today, I’m quite excited. 
  • Finally after my work related cry to help earlier this month, I got the motivation from friends (IRL and here) to apply for some DC jobs in the private sector. I got some great company recommendations and applied to 12 jobs at a few companies. I got one follow up courtesy call since I was referred internally, I only got one automatic rejection, AND I got a request to phone interview for a job later this week. I’m feeling excited! 

Footloose – err Pain

I’m headed back to the podiatrist on Monday. My cortisone shot definitely wore off 2+ weeks ago (aka right before my half marathon, but I did have 2 months of relief). 

More concerning has been the top of my OTHER foot. I have had searing pain on the top of my left foot near my 3 little toes. I had MINOR bouts of pain on either foot like this due to major treadmill mileage, but I haven’t really been using treadmills lately. The “good” news is that the pain is no more intense after a run, so foolishly I’m still running since I have a 10 miler on the 24th. 

Vacation!

Greetings from Charleston! I just knocked out some South Carolina miles so I can cross SC off my state list! T and I were in Raleigh Wed-Thurs, Charleston yesterday-today, today and tomorrow we are visiting some of T’s old Marine Stomping grounds – Parris Island and Camp LeJeune. Then we head to VA beach Sat-Mon for our half marathon. Speaking off the half T forgot to pack his running watch (to his credit it was charging it and forgot to grab it). Any running app recs for him to use that would have voice notification of miles/pace?

Health

I just booked a 75 minute deep tissue massage for after my half and whirlwind travel including Easter at my mother’s with T. 

The first date I could make work requires me to leave work early, but I plan on taking sick leave for it since it’s FOR MY HEALTH! Physical and mental! 

Fast Friday Five

  1. Watched the Fuller House premiere this morning before work and will be marathoning it with one of my besties tomorrow! 
  2. T booked the hotels for our Charleston/VA Beach trip!
  3. It’s supposed to reach 60 degrees on Sunday which is great because I need to run 12 miles!
  4. I’m excited to see my David Cook in concert on Tuesday!
  5. Freddie is at work with me today!

Small adjustments

I have to say cutting back to running only 3x a week after running 4x a week for marathon training (and most training plans) has been delightful. I don’t feel so much pressure to screw my schedule around to find time to run on a day of decent temperatures (or milage I won’t hate on a treadmill). I actually am finding myself looking FORWARD to running after 2 or 3 days off. 

Now don’t get me wrong, I have 1-2 full blown rest days a week, but I’ve really been hitting fitness classes hard at my gym the past 5 weeks since I rejoined. I am trying to get to classes 2-3x a week and some days it’s for back to back classes. Like last night was 60 min of Body Pump and then 30min of CRX which is an ab workout. 

And yoga. My job offers excellent free yoga 2x a week during lunch and since it started 2 years ago I’ve made an effort to go at least 1x week, but now I’m committed to going 2x a week unless I literally can’t make it. These days are like “bonus workouts” because it’s during the workday and I don’t need to shower (I just bring a change of clothes). Work also started offered a Pilates/Barre fusion class. This class is on Tuesdays which is harder on my schedule, but I can make it next week and I’m excited to try it out.