Family weekend at the University of Montana--hanging with my boys It's been rough. It's been a downhill slide since Hawaii, and I can't seem to pull myself out of this downward spiral. I just don't feel like my usual healthy, positive self. I have always had difficulties with eating unhealthy foods in unreasonable portions, but my exercise...I had that down. I love to exercise, but even that hasn't brought me the same joy it usually does.
I often share how I feel like my journey is like a road trip. Usually I am flowing safely and smoothly down the road, no traffic in sight and no hazards to stop my forward momentum. Then out of nowhere the traffic begins to slow and I am forced off the road on a detour. I need to find my way back to the straight and narrow. I know the next onramp is around the next corner, but I seem to be missing my usual motivation, enthusiasm, and love of all things related to moving my body, which makes getting back on track so much more difficult these days.
I have been trying to analyze why the landscape is so littered with hazards lately, and I have narrowed it down to two main problems: complacency and time. These two things are killing me lately and not helping me make positive food and exercise decisions.
The first problem is occurring because what has made me so successful in the past is my diligence. I am usually diligent about the amount and kinds of food I put in my mouth. I actually love fruits, veggies, healthy grains, and lean meats, but the problem is I also love chocolate, ice cream, and donuts in equal proportions. When I was in Hawaii I let my self go so I could experience the food and the culture, but I have been unable to successfully get back to my normal eating habits since then.
I have also not been as diligent with my exercise as usual. My normal is working out 5-6 times a week, and lately I have hardly been able to eek out three consistent days. I know this is not terrible, but when my eating is off as well, this complacency is a recipe for disaster. Part of it is due to the fact that once school starts, everyone's schedules change and it makes it more difficult for my training buddies to meet me for our running, spinning, and swimming dates. I know it is a weakness, but I don't like working out by myself. If no one can meet me, I am more likely to catch up on work instead of training on my lonesome.
This leads me to the second problem that I think is making things so difficult for me these days. Time has not been on my side. The days seem so short, and I can't seem to catch up with anything. There are times I wish I could just wave a magic wand and make more hours in every day. That way I could get my work done, find time to meet my friends for playdates, and have ample time to do the running, biking, and swimming I love so much. I am going to bed late, waking up in the middle of the night thinking of things I need to do, and not getting the enormous amount of sleep my body seems to need. All of these factors make it difficult for me to be my usual perky, energetic self.
I am not sure what the answer is, yet, but I do know that to get back on the road to flabulous. I need to avoid the inevitable road hazards. I need to be more careful with the food I consume and increase the number of days I get my body moving. It is that simple and yet so very complicated at the same time. I am happy to have you all to spill my heart to, because I already feel so much better. All I can ask of myself is that I work consistently on getting back to where I was. I am not sure how I can get more time, but I will work on what I can control first, and that will at least move me in a positive direction once again.
I often share how I feel like my journey is like a road trip. Usually I am flowing safely and smoothly down the road, no traffic in sight and no hazards to stop my forward momentum. Then out of nowhere the traffic begins to slow and I am forced off the road on a detour. I need to find my way back to the straight and narrow. I know the next onramp is around the next corner, but I seem to be missing my usual motivation, enthusiasm, and love of all things related to moving my body, which makes getting back on track so much more difficult these days.
I have been trying to analyze why the landscape is so littered with hazards lately, and I have narrowed it down to two main problems: complacency and time. These two things are killing me lately and not helping me make positive food and exercise decisions.
The first problem is occurring because what has made me so successful in the past is my diligence. I am usually diligent about the amount and kinds of food I put in my mouth. I actually love fruits, veggies, healthy grains, and lean meats, but the problem is I also love chocolate, ice cream, and donuts in equal proportions. When I was in Hawaii I let my self go so I could experience the food and the culture, but I have been unable to successfully get back to my normal eating habits since then.
I have also not been as diligent with my exercise as usual. My normal is working out 5-6 times a week, and lately I have hardly been able to eek out three consistent days. I know this is not terrible, but when my eating is off as well, this complacency is a recipe for disaster. Part of it is due to the fact that once school starts, everyone's schedules change and it makes it more difficult for my training buddies to meet me for our running, spinning, and swimming dates. I know it is a weakness, but I don't like working out by myself. If no one can meet me, I am more likely to catch up on work instead of training on my lonesome.
This leads me to the second problem that I think is making things so difficult for me these days. Time has not been on my side. The days seem so short, and I can't seem to catch up with anything. There are times I wish I could just wave a magic wand and make more hours in every day. That way I could get my work done, find time to meet my friends for playdates, and have ample time to do the running, biking, and swimming I love so much. I am going to bed late, waking up in the middle of the night thinking of things I need to do, and not getting the enormous amount of sleep my body seems to need. All of these factors make it difficult for me to be my usual perky, energetic self.
I am not sure what the answer is, yet, but I do know that to get back on the road to flabulous. I need to avoid the inevitable road hazards. I need to be more careful with the food I consume and increase the number of days I get my body moving. It is that simple and yet so very complicated at the same time. I am happy to have you all to spill my heart to, because I already feel so much better. All I can ask of myself is that I work consistently on getting back to where I was. I am not sure how I can get more time, but I will work on what I can control first, and that will at least move me in a positive direction once again.
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