Wednesday, January 29, 2014

When I Can

As much as I have wanted to blog daily, for the past few months I just haven't been able to. Things have been busy. It's not just work, it's everything. There have been a couple of stressful family things that have been looming over my head since November and I don't seem to have been able to move past them. It's a waiting game -- and waiting makes me anxious.

Anxiety makes me lose sleep (more like restless sleep - waking up several times during the night) and feel like I can't breathe.
Restless sleep and that type of stress makes me feel fidgety all day.

It's not a good cycle.

The Whole Life Challenge has been great in helping me stay on track with my food and exercise, but even though I have been working out daily and eating right, my weight has stayed the same. I don't know if it is because of the stress or the tense sleep that my body is not reacting the way it should be (at least they way I think it should be reacting).

In any case -- I'm doing what I can, when I can.

I'm loving the fact that I can hit the gym early in the morning again. Since I don't teach until later in the morning, I can be at the gym by 6:45 am and get in a nice 2 hour workout before going to work. I've also been going to my Kajukenbo training, so my workouts have really been making me feel good, even though I am desperate to pick up some weights!

Since I wanted to work on my running/sprint work on some mornings, I decided to restart C25K. I had made such good progress with the program and then I stopped a week before completing it - such a shame! In any case, I'm starting from Day 1 again and during the run portions I'm running faster than I had before, and including 20-30 second sprints in some segments. It's been tough, but it feels so good once I'm done!


20 comments:

  1. I like that you focus on doing the best you can. We all want to do perfect, but it's impossible! In the long run though, consistent effort will bring results. Maybe your body is stuck temporarily at the same weight? I know for me it goes in bursts, with sudden weight loss followed by plateaus. Other possibilities are that you eat more than you are aware of (it's happened to me). Or maybe that you don't have any more weight to lose! :-) In any case, good luck!

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    1. I know that I need to just keep doing the right things - hopefully it'll all work out in the end :) I definitely do need to watch how much I'm eating though! Even though it's healthy, I know that calories add up.

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  2. I totally understand your anxiety. It doesn't make for sound sleep or productive days. I'm betting this might be a reason for the scale not moving. Do you have time in your busy schedule for evening meditation/relaxation/yoga?

    Sprinting. I was never a fan of sprinting, but things change. Recently I've begun to enjoy it. The total exhilarating exhaustion after sprinting is almost addictive.

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    1. I do want to focus more on yoga/relaxing. Right now I'm just doing yoga for stretching vs. actual relaxation. I hope it helps :)

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  3. Doing the best you can do is the best thing you can do for yourself!

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  4. We can only do our best in the moment we're in, then it's OK to let it go and move onto the next one. It sounds like you're actually doing really well! I hope you get more restful rest!

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    1. I'm trying Kyra, I'm trying -- it does get a bit overwhelming at times ...

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  5. I know because my daughter has had sleep issues since birth that it is a very serious thing. Hang in there and continue to take care of yourself.

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    1. I remember you telling me that before. I just hope it doesn't shift back to insomnia.

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  6. In times of stress, maintaining is a great victory.

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    1. I'm trying to stay positive through it :)

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  7. Maintaining during a tough period is a success right there!

    You may want to journal and track your calorie intake and balance that against your activity level. At least then you will know if you are eating too many calories. Also meditation during the day can be very helpful to teach you skills to quiet your mind during the night.

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    1. As I've been exercising more, I've been hungry more too. I'm eating clean, but I'm going to start tracking my calories again to make sure I'm not eating too much! I'll try to work meditation into my routine too. Maybe it'll help me get some restful sleep ...

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  8. I promise you, A, that when you are totally recuperated from your injury, that you will feel 100% again. I've gone through the anxiety and impatience of waiting out an injury, and it definitely plays games with confidence. But you'll be back, better than ever, very soon. In the meantime, you're still doing great! You have quite an amazing spirit. :D

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    1. I know. I really am trying to be patient. It's so hard to go to sparring practice and have to restrain myself. I know it'll be worth it in the end.

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  9. Anxiety is such a bummer! Sometimes maintaining and taking it easy is the best thing you can do. Don't lose confidence because doing what you can is great!

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    1. Thanks Mary! I'm trying to stay on track and stay positive :)

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  10. Stress sucks!!! Esp when it wreaks havoc with your sleep!!! Hoping your stress relieves itself soon!!
    Proud of you for continuing your workouts!! This is the time I seem to find excuses to 'slip up'.

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    1. Thanks Deb. Restless sleep really is unpleasant, but still I'm plugging along ...

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Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! I can use all the support I can get :)