haven’t worked out hard in one solid week.
Last Thursday I pounded out over 4 miles on the dreadmill for the Couch to 10k program, then skipped home knowing that that was my final workout for the week (unless you count dancing on a booth).
I’m saying ‘whew’ in the picture, but clearly it just looks like I’m channeling my inner gold fish. Lesson learned.
I always know that when Monday comes, it’s time to jump back on the the workout wagon, but after a lazy Sunday, Monday was spent getting life back in order and groceries in the fridge.
Tuesday I still felt tired (clearly I can’t party every night like I once was able to…), but took K-dizzle on a 4 mile bike ride. For those that follow me on social media, you know my vet officially declared her fat, so we’re working on it. It’s not her fault. She wants to be adventurous, but since the baby came, we haven’t gotten her out as much… and soothed our guilt by giving her extra peanut butter #parentingfail
Wednesday, determined to get to them gym, I got on the treadmill and did about half of what I was supposed to before turning it off and heading home.
Yesterday? I felt great, but with the 60 degree weather, I opted for a stroll to a playground with Koda and Hailey. Maybe topping out at just over a mile.
The funny thing is that this would have driven me crazy, once upon a time! Have I admitted before that I’m a recovering ‘all or nothing’ type of person? Well, if I haven’t, let me assure you that I am.
One bite of a ‘naughty’ food or one day off my exercise plan would throw me into a tailspin of ‘well now I’ve screwed it up so I might as well…” you fill in the blank. Mine was usually filled with something like “eat an entire Papa Johns pizza and sit on the couch all day”.
But this week, instead of driving me crazy with guilt, I’ve acknowledged that I listened to my body, which was tired, darn it.
I soaked up the sunshine and enjoyed outside time without stressing about whether or not I’d still be able to make it to the gym.
And today? I’m feeling reenergized and my legs are itching to run. Ok, that’s a lie, I wish I had that kind of itch! But they are feeling well-rested and ready to rock.
So today I will be patting myself on the back as I head to the gym, knowing that a week of taking it easy isn’t the end of the world.
And that’s saying a lot for this recovering all or nothing-er.
Are you an all or nothing person?
Or are you in recovery, like me?
Lee says
I’m actually pretty good at not letting one bad day/week/month get me off track. I enjoy getting back into working out.
Is Koda on diet dog food? We switched Murphy’s food to a lite kind at our vets recommendation and he lost the extra weight with no other changes. We still give him the same amount of treats.
Brittany says
Nope, Koda is on ProPlan Lamb. I think the biggest difference is lack of exercise. At least we’re going to start there and hope it works. If not, guess we’ll go the diet route!
Hanna says
I’m an all or nothing type of person too and I think it has to do with perfectionism. However, I’m in recovery mode!
Diet dog food always made my pup go # 2 about twice as much!
blackhuff says
One week without training? And here I feel bad for not training two days in a row (Have Inner Ear infection) 😉
Love the “Inner fish” moment in the photo 🙂
Brittany says
ear infection- ouch! Hope it heals quickly.
cait says
no worries girl- i took about a week off too this week because i wasn’t feeling the best and just felt SUPER tired. thank goodness. i’m finally feeling a bit better and hopefully will get to the gym later today 🙂
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
loved your attitude! sometimes living life is just more important than the treadmill 🙂 you’ll have plenty of time to run on the treadmill when H is in her rebellious teenager phase 🙂
Sara says
I have always been an all or nothing person…your typical type A personality. However, my husband keeps telling me that is all going to change in March when our son is born…I have been trying to brace myself tor that change for months…I hope I do as well with it as you are!
Brittany says
Oh yes, Hailey definitely made me change my all or nothing and ‘I must have a schedule’ ways. But it’s totally worth it 🙂
Jamie @ FoodinRealLife says
Even though you may not have been working out “hard” it sounds like you’ve been active and getting outside! That’s all part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle- good for you! I’m an all or nothing person (more when it comes to food than exercise). At the tail end of this pregnancy I’ve struggled with this a lot!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I’m an all or nothing type person with a lot of things, but over the past couple of years, I’ve tried to change that with regards to exercise and eating. It just makes life more enjoyable that way! And I think everyone deserves a break every now and then!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
After not working out for 5 days in a row last week because of rest days, work and then getting sick, I’ll admit it was tempting to just not start again b/c of that all or nothing attitude. But then I thought about how long it took me to get to this point, I didn’t want to ruin that with a bout of laziness, so I got my ish together 😉
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
haha, poor Koda’s been declared fat by the vet. Love dat pup!
Shannon says
Even though you’re feeling off track, it sure sounds like you’ve got your priorities in order. Making that adorable little one smile that big by taking her to the playground has to be worth at LEAST an extra mile or two! I tend toward the all or nothing, but hearing about your, and the other ladies who post here, struggles and triumphs in these areas is helping me to even it out.
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
I am BAD with the “all-or-nothing” mentality. I sometimes feel like a walk is a wasted workout. I’m working on it, because I know Chloebear needs some walks in her life. 🙂
Urban Wife says
I’m guilty of being ‘all or nothing’ when it comes to eating and working out. This past weekend, I pulled a muscle in my rotator cuff. I’m already beating myself up for not being able to work out. It’s definitely an area I constantly need to work on. Not feeling guilty about injuries. 🙂
Katie @ Pop Culture Cuisine says
Although I wish I wasn’t and I try not to be, I am totally an all or nothing person. Typically on a day I don’t work out, I eat worse as horrible as that sounds. I am trying to get better about taking it all in stride, especially with the baby, but some days it is hard!
Sarah says
I’m totally in recovery, too.
Being a mama certainly helps with that, because there’s very little opportunity for “all.” 🙂
Natalie @ Living Green Chicago says
I definitely need to get better about realizing that ANY amount of positive is better than none… so I suppose I am still part of the “all or nothing” 🙂
Martha Jane says
Man – I really needed this post today. I’m absolutely an all-or-nothing girl.
I’ve missed the gym the past two nights and I’ve been feeling defeated all day.
But it’s ok! I’m back there tonight!
Thank you!
Roz@weightingfor50 says
Awww….Koda will be back to fighting weight soon with all that exercise. And the pic of laughing Hailey? SOOOO cute. I have some all or nothing days now and then, but I find it easier to pull the plug and get back to healthy habits pretty quickly. Have a great Thursday.
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
I mean, it’s fine. True life, lately I don’t work out that much. And I’m totally cool with it. I’m walking everywhere, and always doing work, so I do yoga in my room — there are so many free podcasts that keep my college budget safe aaaand happy 😉
Anne Kendall says
I’m definitely an “all-or-nothing” type of girl. I’m working on getting better about that, and not falling victim to the “health halo” — you know, “I worked out today, so I’m justified in eating a whole bunch of junk.” Props to you for not berating yourself over missing a few days in the gym!