Whew! I'm back from a whirlwind vacation and...wow...yeah. That was a crazy week. I always feel the need to detox a little after a vacation because of the inevitable road food, stress, and wear and tear of traveling. You know how it is. But this time, the detox is more like shock therapy, because life changed a lot for me while I was gone.
Before we left, I laid out my workout clothes for the morning after our return. I always do this so no matter how late it is, my first workout back isn't hijacked just because I was too pooped to prepare for it. It feels great to know that when I get home, my real life can pick up right where I left off. But this time, those clothes stayed where I left them. Thanks to too much activity, stress, and fun on my vacation, I'm on an exercise hiatus for a few weeks. My husband is referring to it as my "5k to Couch," program. He's right: I need to spend some time on the couch! And yes, it is driving me crazy.
You know I like to live in that high-energy zone where I am always challenging myself, pushing my fitness limits, and training for something new. In wellness-speak, this happy zone is called, "flow." Flow is when your challenges are equal to your ability to manage them. In other words, it's that place where you feel like everything is good: you're challenged, but not overwhelmed. You're managing life, but not bored. You're in flow! As a wellness coach, I help people achieve and manage flow, and I also do things to keep myself in flow. Since I've gotten pregnant, my workouts have changed a lot, but the challenge has remained equal to my ability, so I've stayed in this happy flowy place.
Now that I've been *ahem* advised to slow down, I'm faced with a truly scary proposition: no exercise. I haven't been told I can't exercise at all, but I need to stay off my feet for a while and take it easy. It's scary for me to think about not being active; it's my lifeblood. But, I obviously have bigger fish to fry for the next 11 weeks. I have to deal.
I was pretty down about it and could feel myself atrophying just at the thought of a sedentary lifestyle. I'd been in such a euphoric state of flow and I didn't want to let go of it.That's when a wonderful friend (and wellness coach buddy) helped me realize that really, I'm just entering a new type of flow. The challenge...well, it might be a little above my ability. LOL Truly resting? Wow, that's new for me. The only time I have actually acheived it is by doctor mandate. But, I love a challenge. So, I've spent a lot of today embracing this new flow. It was weird to sleep in this morning, and I didn't go swim at lunch. But, baby is way more important.
The 5k to Couch training program is in effect, and so far I am an A+ student! :)
Being active is a big part of holistic health, but there are times when our emotional, mental, spiritual, and nutritional health take the front seat. For the next 11 weeks (OMG JUST 11 WEEKS?!?!?) I'll be flowing in a new direction.
Are you in flow? What does flow mean to you? Let me know, and as always, get out there and get healthy!
2 comments:
Hi Heather, this is Melanie from high school. I wanted to let you know that I really enjoy reading your blog. I recently was in the same “flow” as you. I have a 4 year old and a 6 month old and for the first trimester I could not work out. It was very challenging since I was so used to working out 6 days a week and I definitely missed my intense workouts. I had to constantly remind myself that it was just temporary and accept where I was at the moment. Now that I am back on schedule I have a renewed enthusiasm and appreciation for exercising. Hang in there, before you know it you will be back to your usual “flow”!
Hi Melanie! Wow, thanks for reading and your comment. It's good to hear from you. Yep, I'm right there, reminding myself that it's temporary and that soon I'll be pushing my little baby in the jogging stroller...and wishing I could rest! :) I'm glad to know you're enjoying life on the other side...keep my spot warm for me! :)
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