Dealing With Pressure

It’s not workouts, just everything else. 🙂 I am working on “down shifting” on a regular basis. Yoga and meditation help a great deal.

Oh my gosh, this is perfect and I couldn’t agree more! Some people can do the early mornings and intense workouts first thing in the morning, but sometimes sleep wins for me and I’m ok with it. I LOVE that you went back to bed. It’s so easy to get caught in the comparison trap especially in HLB world where people exercise 6-7 days a week for an hr or more and that’s the norm. Really, it’s not the norm in the rest of the world. Stressing out about not getting an hr in isn’t normal in the world; people are happy to get moving for a 30 minute workout! Hope you have a good rest of the day!

I do deal with anxiety at times, but I have realized over the years that hard times seem to pass and I try to forgive myself for feeling a certain way. Sometimes I think people are more likely to have anxiety and stress than others, but that is okay. As long as we recognize the behavior is not healthy and make changes to feel better whether that is through therapy, rest, exercise, time with friends, etc., then we are making progress. 🙂

I could rant about this—and I have somewhat on my blog—but I just ignore everyone else and do my own thing.
finally.
at almost 45.
no challenges or competitions or crossfit for this misfit.

I love this! Early morning workouts are NOT the norm for anyone I work with and they all think I am crazy, but after reading hlbs for so long, I really thought it was the normal thing to do. I still get up around 430 and go to the gym, but it is because I am an early morning person and like having my afternoon free. I definitely used to get anxious if I missed it, but now If I want to sleep in, I don’t worry about it because I know that is what my body needed. So glad you are getting to that point!

Way to go, girl! I spent the last three or so years getting up at 4:30am for workouts 5 days/week. My friends tried to tell me it was okay to take a day off, but in my head they were just lazy and not committed. It wasn’t until my body started rebelling against the stress and the over-exercising, and my doctor pointed out what I was doing to my body, that last June I finally said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I actually took a break from reading health/fitness blogs for awhile, because in my recovery I found they made me feel guilty for not maintaining my intense lifestyle.

Now, I’m at a point where I’ve added exercise back into my life at a moderate level 5 times a week. And I never get up before work anymore! Now, I sleep in until 6am and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading off to work. Ahhhh–what a less stressful way to start the day!

Comparison is the killer of self love and pride. This is true. Though, people do look up to someone MORE when they are relaxed and happy with who they are whether they are super athletic or not. This is what I learned. Also That athleticism doesn’t have to come from 6 day a week workouts unless you’re training for something, which should not be all the time. I was at my fittest when my workouts were about 30-45minutes long (though intense) 3-4 days a week. 6 pack and all. I ate healthy and slept so well. I was chill AND fit. The balance is way more enviable than chronic over working and sleep deprivation. That leads to exactly what you’re saying, anxiety and stress eating. You’re awesome. We all know it, but inside you know it too. Happy is the most important and impressive kind of fitness.

I am so proud of you Katie! You should submit a high five because this is amazing!!!!!!!!!! I am just so proud of you. I try not to compare myself to others, but there’s no doubt it happens from time to time, but I just gotta keep reminding myself that i am never happy with myself when I do

Love this post! I’ve had the same problem in the past – my alarm normally goes off at 4:15 am (barf) so I can get to the gym by 5:00 am and to work (an hour away) by 7:30 am. I’m doing a Masters degree part-time, so I have to work longer days to make up for the day a week I miss. I used to beat myself up over a missed workout, or cutting one short, but I’ve gotten a lot better at listening to my body and going back to bed when I’m not up for it that day.

Awesome girl! I think it is easy to fall into comparison, but there is nothing more important that taking care of your body! I’m thrilled you chose the healthy route!

Yes to both questions. I don’t know how you find the motivation, especially in such cold weather. Speaking of which, if you’re a Disney fan at all, I think you’d appreciate the Chicago version of “Let It Go” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc5603Nzmzw

Great post! Reminds me of the whole 30 blog post from yesterday:
http://whole9life.com/2014/03/dangers-image-crafting/

I’m so glad to read this…I’ve been worried about you! It seems like you’ve been under a lot more stress lately, and I really don’t think getting up at 430 most days a week is healthy or sustainable. And sorry about the stomach issues…I know how that goes. I try to eat what’s best for my stomach, but sometimes I get so dang hungry that I just eat wayyyyy too much of the bad stuff.

And yes, I do deal with a lot of anxiety…I’m just a worrier at heart. I also have IBS and that causes SO much anxiety, because any time my stomach feels bad I worry it’ll feel really bad.

Good for you, Katie! I’ve definitely struggled with anxiety, the comparison trap, and everything else you describe in this post. It’s tough, but it all comes down to doing what’s right for you. Sometimes that extra sleep and forgiving yourself is 100x more powerful than any workout!

I got extra sleep on thursday morning, and was so glad I did! I didn’t feel great, i went back to bed, and Saturday I had an awesome swim/run that was 100% better than if I had tried to push myself thursday morning. Bodies need rest.

YES. THANK YOU. This sums up what I’ve been feeling for the past few years while reading HLBs. While there are definite benefits and positive outcomes of reading HLBs, there is always that nagging feeling that I should be doing more, because 99.9 % of the bloggers I read log so many miles before work. I’ve been feeling like there’s something wrong with me because I get burnt out or bored with that lifestyle. Anyways, we need to see more of these type posts in the HLB world, so thanks for being real and honest.

I’m so glad you went back to bed! Some days it really is the best choice. It’s funny you mention a blogger who does body pump followed by sprints. I read the same blog and noticed that too. I can’t believe she has the energy to do sprints after a body pump class (and who takes no rest days in a week?)! I think you are just in a transition period now since you went from having lots of spare time to now having an over-packed schedule. It will shake out eventually. Plus then when you get a permanent job (and I’m sure you will) you’ll already be ready to handle the hours.

Getting extra sleep will probably also help you with emotional eating today. I hope you are forgiving yourself for yesterday and starting fresh today.

I feel like a slug for not working out as I read through the blogs I subscribe to. To the point I think maybe I should delete some or all of them. I feel inferior, lazy, guilty….But I don’t think I can at this time. It’s too cold out and I can’t afford a gym membership or treadmill and I am still very underweight to have the proper energy…not that I will want to exercise if I ever am able to get to a healthy weight. But still, I feel so bad about myself when I read how much all you bloggers work out…how dedicated you all are to it. And I feel that I can’t eat as much as you all because I don’t work out….at all! So I restrict food. I didn’t mean to ramble. This post just is so spot on to what I am battling with for a while now.

I think we all do what we do. And I like knowing what everyone else is doing so I can cheer them on… but it doesn’t make me feel I need to do MORE or DIFFERENT.

You’re awesome for doing what YOU feel is best. Way to de-stress & live the way you know is best for you.

Did you know that our nation is highly stressed –and most of it is our own causing?? So I applaud you for going back to bed! P.s. I took 2 rest days in a row this weekend and it felt magicalllllll <3

What a great post!! I am getting better at listening to my body and knowing when enough is enough and when I need to stop and rest!! You are so right, seeing all the activity on instagram and twitter makes it hard to just relax on days when my body is saying STOP!!

I am slowly turning into the person that works out ONLY when she wants to. I’m diggin’ it. The only exception is training for a race, since I kind of have to try a little with that one. 🙂

When I first started running I put a lot of pressure on myself. I was obsessed with running blogs and thought I had to run a half marathon to be a “runner”. This lead to injuries! I learned to step back and just run the way MY BODY likes–for fun and fitness, not mileage and speed!

Good for you for coming to this realization Katie! It’s hard to see what regular exercise is, when it seems like every blogger out there is working out 6 days a week or always training for something…in the ‘real world’, that doesn’t happen for the vast majority of people! I keep having to remind myself over and over again that working out 6 days a week is never a good idea for me…some people can do that, while some people function better on less. I hope your stomach is feeling better!

i absolutely loved this post. this quarter in school i’ve really been focusing on slowing down. my number one priority? sleep. i don’t function well when i don’t get enough sleep, so if getting a few extra hours of sleep means not working out, so be it. sometimes that’s hard to accept, but getting a rest day 2 days in a row is not the end of the world; nor is not working out even on a day that i ate a lot more than usual.

i love your honesty in all of your posts, so inspiring!

I love this! Last night I got home from work, I was exhausted and feeling overdone. So I put my sweats on and sat on the couch instead. I folded my clothes and got some of the little things done around the house. Did I feel guilty about not hitting the gym? Yes! Do I feel better for resting? Yes!

That is why I love this post. It was perfect timing!!! 🙂

I think a lot of people can relate to this sort of thing. It doesn’t even have to be just with working out, but with friends, work, significant others.

Starting to work 40 hours a week, plus school, plus a few other projects I’m working on, I’ve had to have a completely new outlook on working out. Like you, I deal with anxiety, specifically when it comes to working out. I’m used to going to the gym 5-6 days a week and now I’m lucky to go twice. I envy the people who have the time and energy to get up before the sun to go for a run. At this point, I don’t have time to be anxious. I’m going nonstop from 8am-10pm most days and so in this season of my life, it’s okay that I can’t always make it to the gym, and when I can, it’s a treat. It does help that my two jobs are really active but I can’t wait to find more time for real workouts again.
I loved this post! Keep listening to your body and trusting your instincts. It’s the best for your body, even if it means missing a workout or finding other forms (anxiety reducing!) of activity. Have a great week!

good for you. this is such an awesome reminder!! we all need to remember to listen to our bodies and SLOW DOWN sometimes. we are all so hard on ourselves. i can totally relate..its always go go go! work..workout..get stuff done…all that jazz. love your honesty. thanks for this. 🙂 like i always say…tomorrow is another day!

Yes, yes and yes. I have been dealing with this recently-some days better than others. Sleep is a huge factor for me- I was staying up past 1 am for a long period of time- which left me barely functional and never rested. I have been trying to go to sleep earlier and listen to my body a bit more…not always easy for sure.

Love this post because you listened to your body and because I’ve done the same exact thing many times.

Ahhh I can relate to this 10,000%! About a month ago, I was feeling absolutely horrible – all the time – during my workouts, during work, couldn’t sleep at night. My body was over-stressed because I was over-stressing it by working out too intensely and not eating enough. I’ve taken the past month off from high intensity workouts completely, and I’ve never ever felt more relaxed in my life. It’s hard switching perspectives on the “need” to get be impressive to others (for me it was, at least), but it’s so, so worth it to do whats best for YOU 🙂

Great post! I always worked out after work but did feel a certain pressure to get it in first thing in the morning because that seemed the thing to do. After all really committed people work out in the AM! BUT I found that I was exhausted and not even enjoying working out because I was a zombie at the gym. Then the mad rush to get ready for work! I switched back to working out after work – so much better.

You make a great point. One person’s workouts, healthy eating, accomplishments, etc. shouldn’t make us feel inadequate or feel like we have something more to prove. I completely understand your feelings, as I deal with that too. I’m praying that your shifting mentality to taking care of yourself and reducing stress will stick and that workouts will be something that you do because you enjoy it 🙂

I exercise every single day (just the elliptical and the occasional weights) and feel good after my workout is done. My situation is a little different though. I am 6 months pregnant. I don’t count calories. Even before pregnancy I couldn’t tell you how many I ate. I have always eaten lots of peanut butter and there is no food that makes me feel guilty after eating. I am just genuinely addicted to exercise for the high. Since food has never been the issue for me as I consider myself a normal eater. I have been able to live with the exercise addiction because of this fact.