When I started this blog a huge portion of it was dedicated to workouts and training for races. At that time in my life, and for a couple years following, working out was probably the focus of my life. I was desperate to lose weight, which to me meant working out 1-2 hours a day, 6-7 days a week. Any day that I missed, I felt guilty. I constantly felt like I wasn’t good enough, which only made me push harder. I avoided social outings and isolated myself because I didn’t want anything to get in the way of my goals.
These feelings, of course, didn’t come across in the blog because this was my space to be happy and upbeat. This was also my space to be “perfect” and compare myself to all the other bloggers out there, also working themselves to the bone.
I slowly began to recognize that I was over-exercising and under-eating, although I didn’t want to admit it to myself because I started gaining weight back and if I admitted I was over-exercising then I would need to stop. I couldn’t stop – I had to loose this weight I’d gained! Little did I know, the stress that I was putting on my body was actually making me gain weight. I’d raised my level of cortisol so high that my body was fighting back.
Even over the past year, after changing my attitude and habits immensely, I still hadn’t taken a real break from exercising. I’ve focused so much on eating better, but I haven’t really thought about stepping back from working out as well. However, over the past month or so I’ve stopped running (replaced with walking), I’ve lessened up my strength workouts, and finally, this past week, I’ve barely worked out at all.
Normally, this would have me in such a fit of anxiety I probably would have called in sick to work because I felt so overwhelmed. But now? I know it’s what I need. I’m not stepping back from exercising because my brain says to, I’m doing it because it’s what my body says to do. Maybe tomorrow I’ll really feel like a good strength workout. Maybe next week I’ll be ready to start running again. But today I’m exercising intuitively and taking a break. My stress levels have never been so low, and I’ve never been quite this happy, so I’m taking it all in and enjoying this and hopefully my body will enjoy it too, and will be ready to bring back some of my favorite workouts (and endorphin highs!) soon.
But right now – I’m relishing in my stress-free (and self-hate free) environment.
Do you exercise intuitively?
Have you ever taken a week or so off of formal workouts?
What’s your favorite way to exercise?
I love this post – it’s so honest. I agree, sometimes there can be a lot of pressure as a blogger to get “enough” workouts in. I’m glad you’re doing what’s right for you.
Thanks, Fiona!
I’ve just recently started exercising more intuitively, and I love it! I wasn’t into the gym as much as I have been lately, and I actually cancelled my membership. It’s scary, but I think that it will be good for me!
I’ve thought about cancelling mine, but I know I’ll want that treadmill when it starts getting cold here in Chicago!
Doesn’t it feel amazing to regain control of your LIFE? I know that sounds like I’m being dramatic, but I definitely know how hard it can be. SO, SO, SO glad you are finding what works for you! 🙂
YES! I totally understand what you mean – I’m in control now, not my anxiety!
I completely understand the idea of “perfection” blogging. But my favorite posts are always when people are honest (and too much perfectionism means I take them out of my feedly). As for workouts, it is so important for your body to get some rest. I like to set goals for the year, so this year was to do a triathlon, I’m actually doing two, but the stress of training is over. Now I’m trying to figure out next years goal, I’ll make sure that most of the fall is relaxed, and then I’ll start base building in January.
I agree – my favorite posts to read are the most honest ones.
I’m just coming off some time off from an injury. It was not a stress free time off since I have a race coming up. Still, I like to think that I work out pretty intuitively. I do have to push myself to get out of the door sometimes, but in the end my mind and body are much happier.
I hope your injury recovery goes well, Shelly!
Good for you!! I’m in the same boat right now. My main form of exercise this summer has been walking, and I’m surprisingly okay with that! I’ll be ready to step it up come fall, but right now, I’m having more fun just enjoying the summer weather!
Totally on the same page!
Really great post Katie, and I agree with your assessment about the cortisol making you gain weight -true for me.
Thanks aunt marty!
I love this post! I know I talked to you and Ashley a little bit about this on the hike at Blend, so you know where I am. I’m just starting to reintroduce some strength workouts after a few months without, and have no plans to reintroduce cardio yet…and it’s been a really freeing few months. It’ great to just listen to your body and actually give it what it needs!
I knew you’d definitely get this post. I’m glad things are going well for you, Sam!
What a great post! Good for you for listening to your body and doing what’s right for you. I’ve never had to take a break from exercising because I’m usually on the opposite end of the spectrum where I’ve been eating like crap and realized I haven’t worked out in a month. I’m working hard to prioritize fitness and treat my body right!
Thanks, Erin!
love this!! i just aim to sweat once a day (and rest a few days a week). Sometimes that’s balls to the walls and sometimes it’s a 2 mile stroller walk.
Yes, I love the walks!
Thank you for being honest. And yes I have taken a week or two or three off of working out. Our body needs it every now and then 🙂
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one. Thanks, Adria!
LOVE!! Way to be YOU. You’ve gotta do you, and when we listen up, we know exactly what we need. I am taking a break from FB (as I announced), and it’s been awesome so far. JUST what I needed.
I often take 2 rest days lately (used to only be able to handle 1), and it’s been faaaaabulous for this body of mine 😉
hugs!!!
Thanks, Annette!
Yes, I will take 3 – 5 days off if I am sick or having symptoms of overtraining
good for you!
I have been exercising intuitively for the past several months now and it has been SO freeing!!! I am slowly but surely moving away from the obsession of numbers (of workouts, minutes working out, miles walked, etc.) and I love it!
Yes I agree – I love being removed from the numbers obsession!
I am so glad to hear you are doing what is right for YOU! I love that you have so much less stress and are so happy right now! That’s fantastic, and I can’t wait to hear how well this break, or just doing what you want to do, goes! We all need reminders like this. Exercise will always be there, but what you miss while stuck in the “I need to exercise” phase won’t be there.
Thanks, Heather!
You’re amazing. I’ve seen how far you’ve come with all of this (and I can relate!), so reading this puts a huge smile on my face. You know how I feel about listening to your body and resting. Keep it up Girl!!! xoxo
Awww thanks, Ash!
Wonderful post- it sounds like you are really listening to what your body needs and in turn, are being rewarded with less stress! I love the Chanel quote too!
thanks, Emily!!
Woooot this is exactly how I operate!! I have maybe not PR’ed as frequently but I have had a boat load of fun and been running happily for 12 years by listening more to my body than a plan
Yes – fun is way more important!
Yes yes yes friend!! I’ve been walking too. The pressure to workout religiously is not good. But oh how we fight it! It’s freeing to just let the body do what it needs. Yes! You are amazing and beautiful
Thanks, Lindsay!
Thank you so so much for this post!! This is my struggle too, has been for years. Your post was good to see and know I’m not alone and it’s okay to step back…i need to be ok with myself however I am.
Thank you again!!!
I’m so glad you can relate, Meredith!
Great post, Katie! Love to read about your happiness and lower stress. I had a few months off from running a few years ago and I walked and biked and came back stronger. I did a bunch of fun, offbeat events recently and may not be as fast in my other races as a result, but I have been having FUN. I am also taking more rest days and going slower if I feel like it. Life is too short to try to be perfect.
Yes – all about having fun! Thanks, Erica!
Love love love this post girl. So wonderful and I know what you mean, last week I took a week off of bodypump and my body felt good to rest. Sometimes I’m my own worst enemy as a woman I starve myself and overwork just to ‘make up’ for calories eaten. It’s a hard cycle to break but when you finally can and are able to rest….so great. So happy for you so so happy for you.
I agree, we can be our own worst enemies! Thanks, Jayne!
I am on a huge break! I went from triathlete training 17-25 hours a week to barely doing anything in July and now slowly doing an hour of yoga or something easy 5-6 days a week. No plan and just listening to my body AND it has been such a blessing. Enjoy this! xo
That sounds perfect – following a nice cycle of training versus rest!
Love this! Good on you. I quit the gym last year to save money for travel, and I was nervous that I’d put on weight and hate it. Turns out, I loved it. I love spending mornings with coffee and my bible instead of the gym. I still walk to and from work, and do the occasional strength workout or run. The best part? My body lost the weight it had been hanging onto and I’ve been at a perfect weight for me for the past 18 months 🙂
Yes – slow mornings are so nice! And I’m hoping the weight loss happens for me too! Thanks, Amanda!
This is such a wonderful and honest post! This is such a huge struggle for so many of us. I definitely exercise intuitively now. Hiking is sort of my “inner peace” so I do that pretty regularly. Otherwise I alternate between activities that I LOVE like swimming, biking, kayaking, etc (and I don’t do them every day). I may not have the “perfect” body, but I am healthy and happy. Lower stress levels are perfection 🙂
Thanks, Hannah. I’m glad you appreciate it! and I agree, lower stress levels are SO much nicer.
Great post, thanks as always for being real, being you, being honest! People really need to hear this!!
Exercising Intuitively really does need to be something people think about–if something’s hurting, stop. If you aren’t enjoying it, try something else. If you know you haven’t fueled properly for a workout, don’t do it. Sometimes I confuse being intuitive about exercise with being lazy.
Haha yes, sometimes I wonder if I’m just lazy. But a week off is nothing in the scheme of things!
Thank you for sharing! I took a good 2-3 months off last winter and I definitely felt anxious at first but then so much better. I was so busy with work that exercise actually just stressed me out more. Now that i’m less busy I feel that exercise is my “me time.” But the break was much needed!!
yes, sometimes it’s stressful! Or at least I make it so!
I am taking a break from hard workouts, and only working out here and there on days I feel good. Having skin issues like eczema makes me rethink workouts, I realize my body needs rest to heal. It can be hard not to sweat everyday, but I am also a believer in listening to the body 🙂
Yes, it’s hard to take a break but sometimes you just need it!
I live in Chicago too! 🙂 I have been in a bit of a workout slump lately. I ran the Rock and Roll half marathon in July, then got married. After the wedding, I haven’t been very motivated to exercise hard. I’ve just been rolling with it, and running 3 or 4 miles, and taking power yoga classes. My activity level is WAY less in the past few weeks but I know my motivation will come back soon to workout more. I haven’t been putting a lot of pressure on myself, but in the past I would beat myself up a lot if I didn’t workout according to my specific weekly plans.
Exactly – I’m waiting for my motivation to come back on it’s own and it is!