Now that you know why I disappeared, I'm sure you'll be merciful when I tell you that I didn't do a whole lot of anything while I was sick. I certainly didn't get my weekly yoga practicing in!
If you remember, I'm doing the Fueled by Faith challenge: I pick a new physical activity that I've never tried each month, and I commit doing whatever each month's activity is at least once a week. I started in October with an at-home yoga DVD. That escalated to a standing weekly yoga date with my future-yoga-instructor friend Janie. (We started up again this week, for the record.) Somehow, she and I decided we were going to take a hot yoga class. A real hot yoga class. I've never taken ANY real, full-length class, not even a regular yoga class...and here I was, talking about hot yoga.
We picked a studio that had a good time for both of us and committed to going. The classes at the particular studio we selected include a series of 26 different poses performed either once (60 minute session) or twice (90 minutes session) in a 105 degree studio. We decided on the sixty minute class since neither of us was sure we had the endurance to last 90 minutes in 105 degrees. Truthfully, I wasn't sure I had the flexibility for 26 poses or the endurance for 60 minutes, but I was going to give it my best shot. It scared me a little. That meant I had to. Faith > fear, remember?
The morning of, I had a coffee date with my bff Krystine, and I roped her into going with Janie and me. We went, and we enjoyed it!! It was tough at first - the heat was heavy and took some getting used to. Janie and I looked at each other with a "yea, right" glance when the instructor told us that after having done hot yoga, we would never want to do yoga any other way. I was sweating instantly, and when I sweat, there's nothing lady-like about me. My towel was soaked through, as was my hair and clothing. I was amazed at not only how I was able to do most of the poses - I mean, I'm shocked at what my body could do!! - but how I truly didn't notice anybody but myself in the room. One of my huge fears of fitness classes is that others will watch me or see that I'm not good at something. People really don't notice that you look like a madwoman when you're doing your burpees or that you make funny faces when you lift heavy weight or that you modified that pose because your leg just does not got that direction. -_- It was uncomfortable for me at first, staring at my body in the mirror for so long - I was very self-conscious of my form, of my flexibility, and of my body in general. I didn't expect that - to be uncomfortable watching myself in the mirror - but within 20 minutes, that discomfort had vanished as I was impressed, again and again, at the power, balance, and strength of my body.
More than anything, though, I was astonished at how I was able to stop thinking and just be for most of that 60 minutes. I have a very active mind. It's often hard for me to slow down and enjoy the moment. If I'm resting, I'm usually thinking about what I need to do tomorrow, about this client or that workout or this message or that text or cooking dinner. In my training, I recently found myself in a place where I saw each workout as a step from point A (where I was) to point B (achieving my physique and competing goals). Living that way takes the joy out of each moment. Those sixty minutes of yoga were so freeing - from thoughts, worries, from life - just breathing and movement. At the end of class, the instructor opened a door that allowed cool air into the room to dance across our sweaty bodies as we lay on our backs. My back and legs felt amazingly stretched out and loose, better than any sports therapy message. It was incredible. I fell in love with hot yoga during the first class. I will probably practice yoga at least once a week for the rest of my life.
I haven't been back yet, but I'm planning to go again with Janie over Christmas break. The three of us still laugh and giggle about the experience and how great it was. I conquered a fear, forged tighter bonds with my sisters in Christ, and found my inner peace and yogini. Faith is definitely the best fuel for life.
As far as my Fueled by Faith challenge, I decided to stick with yoga for the month of October and November. I'm picking a new activity for December soon, and need suggestions!! Feel free to share yours!
Until next time....
TRAIN HARD - LIFT HEAVY - FUEL YOUR BODY - FEED YOUR FAITH
Friday, November 22, 2013
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Silver Linings
It's been a wild ride for me these past few weeks. I know my blogs have been pretty well nonexistent, so thanks for sticking with me if you have, and if you're new...Welcome!!
Midway through October, I got sick. I couldn't kick it - it kept me down a week and I just wasn't getting any better, and my throat was killing me. After a doctor's visit and some labwork, I was diagnosed with mono. I knew I had been tired, but I wasn't sleeping as much, I had a lot of obligations, and in general, life was a little hectic - so I dismissed being tired as a lifestyle factor. What I didn't know about mono until that day is that it actually causes inflammation of your spleen, and in order to keep it from bursting, I was ordered no contact sports and no heavy lifting - iron or otherwise.
Now, if I'm being honest, I was already in a little funk. A lot of women struggle with "post comp blues", for various reasons, and I'm one of them. I don't suffer terribly from it, but there is usually a two week period where I struggle to find new balance. Training volume usually decreases, and I have to find new ways to fill my time and rebalance my schedule; you do come down from all those endorphins eventually, and when you do, after the excitement wears off and you don't have another goal to pursue or chase, you find yourself...a little blue. I'm still unable to squat, and that frustrates me. I enjoy squatting. I enjoy heavy lifting. And I expect to be able to do it. Modified training is hard - don't get me wrong, I'm not taking away from the intensity of what I'm currently doing, but it just isn't the same for me. And I expect more of my body than to be injured and remain that way for so long, especially with proper care and treatment. It was a disappointing start to my offseason, to say the least.
The news that I couldn't lift caused my disappointment-heavy heart to sink faster than a lead balloon. I expect to be able to workout - I mean, even if I can't squat, a workout is a workout! And my workout is my outlet for aggression, my endorphin-boosting attitude adjustment, my frustration killer. It's the only thing I've ever found to curb my anxiety. And I wouldn't be able to for ten days, minimum - but maybe even longer.
Needless to say, I was a little worried. Being physically inactive makes me restless, irritable, and anxious. Not real pleasant for my little family, and not a happy way to exist. I went home that afternoon from the doctor and took up residence on the couch. Over the next two weeks, I did only enough housework to keep from causing any of us to have to go naked or hungry. I fulfilled only the committments I had to or felt convicted to. And because it helps with anxiety, bad attitudes, and frustrations too, I read the Bible. A lot.
I have a relatively new Bible that my husband bought me as a gift just a few months ago. It's a New Living Translation. I know some people prefer more 'accurate' translations or 'traditional' translations, but I really enjoy the NLT. I like it because it reads almost literally the way I would talk. It's easy to comprehend. Prior to that, I had a NIV that I got in high school. Reading through my new Bible has been like reading a whole new book - things that didn't necessarily 'stick' with me before or stand out do now. The day after I found out I had mono, I curled up on the couch with my Bible and hot coffee during Kenna's nap time and began reading in 1 Timothy 4. Verse eight nearly jumped off the page at me:
I was convicted. If I couldn't work on my physical training, I would work on my spiritual training. And I did.
It's amazing how faithful God is in His promises to us. A verse I've come to love in my lifetime is Romans 8:28. I have seen over and over in my life how God will take a bad time or experience and work it for my good. He did it again just recently, taking the time I spent sick and without energy for anything to revitalize my spirit, to free me from the chains of my own expectations, to hone my focus, and to refresh my perspective. I'm not taking my health for granted anymore, and trust me, it's easy to do - it's only when we lose our health and physical abilities that we realize just how precious they are. Being sick with mono reminded me to be thankful for my health and for what I am able to do, and to stop being frustrated with where I am and what I can't do. It helped me kick those post-comp blues...eventually! Mono gave me a physical timeout that allowed me to focus intensely on my spiritual walk, and I'm better because of that!! There really is always a silver lining.
I'm healthy now, and back at the grind. I have more blogs just waiting to be published and I hope you'll come back to read them.
Until then....
TRAIN HARD - LIFT HEAVY - FUEL YOUR BODY - FEED YOUR FAITH
F
Midway through October, I got sick. I couldn't kick it - it kept me down a week and I just wasn't getting any better, and my throat was killing me. After a doctor's visit and some labwork, I was diagnosed with mono. I knew I had been tired, but I wasn't sleeping as much, I had a lot of obligations, and in general, life was a little hectic - so I dismissed being tired as a lifestyle factor. What I didn't know about mono until that day is that it actually causes inflammation of your spleen, and in order to keep it from bursting, I was ordered no contact sports and no heavy lifting - iron or otherwise.
Now, if I'm being honest, I was already in a little funk. A lot of women struggle with "post comp blues", for various reasons, and I'm one of them. I don't suffer terribly from it, but there is usually a two week period where I struggle to find new balance. Training volume usually decreases, and I have to find new ways to fill my time and rebalance my schedule; you do come down from all those endorphins eventually, and when you do, after the excitement wears off and you don't have another goal to pursue or chase, you find yourself...a little blue. I'm still unable to squat, and that frustrates me. I enjoy squatting. I enjoy heavy lifting. And I expect to be able to do it. Modified training is hard - don't get me wrong, I'm not taking away from the intensity of what I'm currently doing, but it just isn't the same for me. And I expect more of my body than to be injured and remain that way for so long, especially with proper care and treatment. It was a disappointing start to my offseason, to say the least.
The news that I couldn't lift caused my disappointment-heavy heart to sink faster than a lead balloon. I expect to be able to workout - I mean, even if I can't squat, a workout is a workout! And my workout is my outlet for aggression, my endorphin-boosting attitude adjustment, my frustration killer. It's the only thing I've ever found to curb my anxiety. And I wouldn't be able to for ten days, minimum - but maybe even longer.
Needless to say, I was a little worried. Being physically inactive makes me restless, irritable, and anxious. Not real pleasant for my little family, and not a happy way to exist. I went home that afternoon from the doctor and took up residence on the couch. Over the next two weeks, I did only enough housework to keep from causing any of us to have to go naked or hungry. I fulfilled only the committments I had to or felt convicted to. And because it helps with anxiety, bad attitudes, and frustrations too, I read the Bible. A lot.
I have a relatively new Bible that my husband bought me as a gift just a few months ago. It's a New Living Translation. I know some people prefer more 'accurate' translations or 'traditional' translations, but I really enjoy the NLT. I like it because it reads almost literally the way I would talk. It's easy to comprehend. Prior to that, I had a NIV that I got in high school. Reading through my new Bible has been like reading a whole new book - things that didn't necessarily 'stick' with me before or stand out do now. The day after I found out I had mono, I curled up on the couch with my Bible and hot coffee during Kenna's nap time and began reading in 1 Timothy 4. Verse eight nearly jumped off the page at me:
Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and the life to come.
I was convicted. If I couldn't work on my physical training, I would work on my spiritual training. And I did.
It's amazing how faithful God is in His promises to us. A verse I've come to love in my lifetime is Romans 8:28. I have seen over and over in my life how God will take a bad time or experience and work it for my good. He did it again just recently, taking the time I spent sick and without energy for anything to revitalize my spirit, to free me from the chains of my own expectations, to hone my focus, and to refresh my perspective. I'm not taking my health for granted anymore, and trust me, it's easy to do - it's only when we lose our health and physical abilities that we realize just how precious they are. Being sick with mono reminded me to be thankful for my health and for what I am able to do, and to stop being frustrated with where I am and what I can't do. It helped me kick those post-comp blues...eventually! Mono gave me a physical timeout that allowed me to focus intensely on my spiritual walk, and I'm better because of that!! There really is always a silver lining.
I'm healthy now, and back at the grind. I have more blogs just waiting to be published and I hope you'll come back to read them.
Until then....
TRAIN HARD - LIFT HEAVY - FUEL YOUR BODY - FEED YOUR FAITH
F
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