The Rest Day feels like a failure and I cannot explain exactly why. This is the day where I have to remind myself that resting is part of recovery and recovery is when the muscles repair themselves and become stronger. Logically...I get that.
But emotionally I just can't get a grip.
Take for example last Sunday. If you follow me on Instagram, you have seen that for the past six weeks or so, in addition to my normal workout routine, I have been working my way up to a half marathon length run. Well, last Sunday, I reached that goal! I ran 13.1 miles. Okay, okay...I walked mile 7 when I needed to eat, and I ran at a horrendously slow pace the rest of the time. But my feet were moving for 13.13 straight miles.
Then on Monday, I started Lauren Gleisberg's six weeks Beauty and Booty challenge. I did Leg Day on Monday, struggled through Arm Day on Tuesday, tried to do some core work on Wednesday but started fading...by Thursday I was exhausted and felt completely wrecked. I went to the chiropractor, but didn't rest. Friday I did HIIT treadmill cardio, arms and shoulders, as well as more core work. Then on Saturday....I didn't workout. Today...I didn't work out. And the guilt has set in.
Now is when I have to remind myself that resting is just as important as working out. Health is a balancing act of mental, emotional, AND physical wellness. Right now, I am completely off balance. I haven't pinpointed the exact problem, or problems, but I forced myself to rest and relax this weekend.
It dawned on me that most people would probably take a day or two off after their first Half Marathon run, but I didn't. I kept pushing and pushing and ran myself right off a cliff. Now, I realize that the recovery stage is crucial.
I have to work on Rest Days to remind myself that I won't lose all my progress in one or two days. I literally repeat in my head "It's okay to rest, it's okay to rest." My biggest fear is waking up the day after a Rest Day and gaining all 60 pounds back and starting over. I know this won't really happen, but mental struggles are not usually rational.
Even though I didn't make any physical gains this weekend, I did make some huge mental and emotional gains. I let myself relax. I let my mind go blank and not worry about a to-do list. I finished chores around the house that made me feel very organized and accomplished. I spent the day out and about with my boys, buying Jaxon some new shoes and jeans. I talked to my husband again and we laughed for miles and miles in the car. I laid around and did nothing. I ignored my phone. I watched a couple of movies. I told myself positive things. I told my son jokes and cuddled and kissed him more than he wanted.
One of the coolest moments was this afternoon when the three of us took a bike ride together around the block. We got Jaxon one of these cool Velo bikes that doesn't have petals. He is getting so good at pushing himself and lifting his feet to glide. His balance amazes me and his coordination is really improving. He probably loved having Mom and Dad ride along side him around the block. And the fact that we shared a half hour of pure, uninterrupted time together as a family was exactly what my heart needed. No phone, no tasks, no guilt. Just the sunset, our bikes and the laughter of my little boy!
And now, Jaxon is sound asleep and Jason is taking time to work in his garage on the race car. Believe it or not I am not meal prepping or folding laundry. I am sitting in my craft room, working in my planner and scrapbooking my Week in the Life! It's a little slice of personal heaven in these quiet two hours before I go to bed and end another weekend.
If you're on a fitness journey of your own, you have to know the importance of rest days for your physical well-being. Your body needs to that time recover and get stronger before it starts again. But I cannot speak highly enough of the benefits of rest days for your mental and emotional well-being too! I feel so calm and refreshed after two days off that I am now ready to take on the week and offer my best to the world! I hope this week I won't drag myself through the motions like last week. I hope I will have the energy to move mountains and really change people's lives!!
....................Everything is feeling right in this Little Life...................
