Monday, July 24, 2017

Weakness

The other day I was scrolling through Facebook and saw a post from a high school friend.  (Acquaintance) .  She and a friend were standing on the top of a mountain that they had just hiked.   She looked incredible!  She looked happy.   And I was sad!

No! no!!! No!!!  I wasn't sad for her!  I was sad for me!  I was sad for the girl who has let her fitness level slip away.   I was sad for the girl that was on a walk and huffed and puffed up a small hill (if I can even call it a hill).

No I'm not totally out of shape and out of it.   We still walk...we still hike....although hiking has been put more on hold since it's hot.  In its place we have been riding our bikes more.   

But that said...I am much much weaker than I was a year ago!!!!

It started with losing my Zumba classes.    I sprained my ankle.    I got big blisters...bad blisters.  My work schedule changed.    And any number ofother deterrent factors.   All excuses...some valid.  Some that I may have milked a bit further than necessary.  

But all that said.  I am not happy with the huffing and puffing when I walk up hills.  I am not happy at all with my fitness levels!!!!

I woke up this morning determined to run.  I actually had a morning where I got to go to work later and I could manage a run.   I made it halfway around the block and I ended up turning around to limp home.   An injury/defect in my foot that has plagued me since I was about 8-10 years old kicked into high gear.    I knew it was only going to get worse if I didn't get off of it!  Grrrrrr

I don't know how I am going to fit exercise and physical activity into my life.   Especially with this new job and the hour each way commute.   But I've got to make it a priority!!!!

We rode bikes this weekend again.   I was feeling sluggish the whole time.  I'm not sure why.  But that said...I rode and didn't wimp out.  

We had to pick up our bikes to go across downed trees.  Ok I had to pick up my bike and carry it.   Jason toon the clumping clump jumpity jump route once or twice.  



I saw a lizard...a baby deer...squirrels....turtles...birds and this interesting big eyed bug.



A storm came up upon us and it downpoured!!!!!  Like soaked to the skin wet!!!!!!  

We changed at the car and when I got home I laid out clothes outside on the ground and sprayed the caked on mud off of the clothes before throwing them in the washer.


I'm sure the neighbors thought I was nuts (and maybe they aren't too far off in their thinking)


4 comments:

TheAgonyOfBeingFat said...

It's so hard to get fit and maintain it. It's going to be extra hard with your long commute, but you know what? It's still possible! You can do it! There are always going to be obstacles in our way. We just have to learn how to overcome them. :)

PS: you were really smart to have extra clothes in the car after that insane bike ride!

Lynn said...

I worked 120 hours of overtime in the last 2 weeks and I haven't been able to exercise much. Ugh! I'm trying to just eat less but it's hard.
I would never jump my bike over a tree! I would carry it too.

Sarah said...

Unfortunately it gets harder as we get older. Don't get me wrong, I've seen super fit people in their 50s-80s. But if we wait until then to get started its really hard. In my 30s I was really fit and active, then let it slip. Now I'm struggling to get it back. It feels like I'll never get there.

You're doing a great job. I think you will find a good routine after you settle in to your new job. You may have to keep up the bike rides and let go of the running if your foot continues to be a problem. It's ok to change your goals!

(((Hugs)))

Mary Sue said...

Up until two years ago I was a triathlete. I did 3-4 races each season. But the last two years have brought on some significant life changes and I am now slow and out of shape. But I've learned, I can't compare the me I am now to the me I was two years ago. Same goes for you. Give yourself some grace. You are out there moving!

I also have an hour commute so I just recently joined a gym near my work. I found I lost the motivation if I waited until I got home - the traffic sucked it out of me! So now I go straight from work - no long car ride to talk myself out of it. And it gives traffic a chance to die down too.

Good luck in your new job!