Week 1 trip – very committed to not letting work and travel get
in the way of my fitness goals. I was actively doing my WODs and running up to
4.5 miles 3x per week. I kept up the running, and got creative for getting workouts
done at my hotel. The commitment to carving out time to get my workouts in
definitely went hand-in-hand with my food choices. Without being too much of a
fuddy duddy – I managed to make smart choices while remaining discreet with my
intentions. I’ve learned people (especially during happy hour) don’ t really
want to be aware of my thoughts about the menu.
Week 2 trip – still committed – still running, but energy
definitely slipping. I have more evening entertaining to do on this trip and
the nights are getting later and later. I still managed to get in 3 runs that week – but they were only 3 miles each time – and the last run was
pathetic re: time. My workouts were affected by other choices (two words – Japanese
Karaoke). I was pretty pleased with my efforts. Food-wise was still consciously
opting for lean proteins and veggies. And then it happened – the really late
nights started adding up. Not just from staying out late, but staying up late
to get work done around the meeting schedule. Too many nights of seeing midnight
on my computer screen. I started adjusting my alarm clock. 4 am turned to 5
turned to 6 and the desire for sleep won out over going for a run or working
out. Starting the day sluggish made poor choices easier to make. Scrambled eggs
became pancakes. Grilled chicken and veggies became hamburgers and fries and
when the desserts came out at dinner – I was like “bring it on!”
Week 3 trip – almost didn’t even pack my running shoes, but I
managed to convince myself I was going to run. I was heading to our TX office –
so I feel really safe and familiar with the area for solo runs – and I really didn’t
have an excuse to not to. By this point I really wanted get back to feeling
great. I do function at a higher level of productivity when my workouts and nutrition
are on track. Well – the best laid plans…. The running shoes never saw pavement
the 3 days I was there. Happy hours were extremely Happy, and I didn’t do
myself any favors by tossing nutrition discipline out the window when it came
to meals. I returned home exhausted, puffy and with a sugar addiction rearing
its ugly head.
So I know all the magazines say – shake it off, forgive
yourself and move on. Luckily I’m off the road for a few months. I’m eager to
return to my routine. No matter how ridic my 4am alarm seems to most. It is
what works for me. I have to have that workout first thing in the morning. It
truly casts the dye for the rest of my day. The WOD fuels better food choices,
gives me a head start on getting going, I have more energy throughout the day.
By the time I get home to debate dinner, I’ve had the opportunity to layer
several positive decisions on top of each other. Those decisions typically carry me through
the rest of the evening. On full-force days, I’m more likely to play outside with the kids and
laundry and miscellaneous chores feel easier to get done. This weekend is prime
example of my attempts derailed. I was still struggling to shrug off the past few weeks, and the proof is that I didn’t get nearly
as much done around my house as I typically do. With my oldest off to
grandma’s for the week, I should have been able to run circles around myself.
But I didn’t. I ate ice-cream instead and still have a pile of laundry to fold.
Tomorrow is my first day back at Capital City Crossfit in over three weeks. While I’m
absolutely dreading the next few days – I know it’s going to hurt. I know I’m
going to get frustrated with myself. But what I fear more is what will inevitably
happen to me if I don’t get back there ASAP. I’m aware that I’m perched on a slippery
slope. I fear complacency and poor health more than I fear the WOD.
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