Rest for the Weary

Confronted for the first time since starting my new fit lifestyle with...a stomach bug. Ugh! Its just no fun. You would think its hard to think about being healthy when all you want to do is curl up in a ball, right? Right. That said, all this not feeling well business, presented a learning opportunity for me.

The opportunity to understand that it is OK to let your body rest. Yesterday I got home from work and pushed myself to work out even though I was beginning to feel, well, icky. And I did a bang up job on the work out...but then as soon as I was done...back to icky. This morning, I awoke, and bang, MORE icky!

And I found myself thinking some manic thoughts temporarily..."oh my God, i'm going to derail, i'm going to derail...i can't get out of the habit of working out!". And then, i took a breath and realized, if this is going to be a way of life, then things will happen that force you to slow down, albeit temporarily.

I have worked out, in some manner or other, nearly every day since July 16th. Nearly EVERY single day. The idea of not lifting a weight or trying my zumba class or even doing yoga stretches tonight is baffling to me. And more importantly...disappointing. Its like being told you can't go out and play because your sick.

Which...in turn...made me HAPPY. (yes I realize i'm all over the map here with my emotions...i blame it on my Peri-menopausal issues...remember this is the blog of a 42 year old woman!). 

Happy that now, in my life, I view exercise as FUN. As a treat. As a thing I will miss doing if I can't for whatever reason. And the fact that this though exists, for the first time EVER in my life, proves to me...this isn't a "phase" or a momentary obsession...this is in fact a part of who i am now...and its okay to go home and rest tonight. Its okay to curl up with some bad reality tv shows and let this body rest. 

And to grant myself the peace of mind that I've earned the right to take a breath, to be proud of the distance I have gone in my thoughts and actions. And enjoy my progress to date.

Tonight I will REST. Tonight I will really, truly relax in the thought that getting fit isn't a destination any more for me. Its a journey through this life that i'm so happy to have discovered.