Drama and Baaaaaaad Habits
Feb. 13th, 2008 12:26 pmFinally out of a several-day slump. The drama has been high and heavy, and of a kind that is particularly frustrating. The issues have not been my own, but I've had a hard time putting them down and walking away from them. Yesterday I failed at this completely and just felt blue and grumpy all day. This was accompanied by a failure of generosity which I was luckily able to keep to myself.
Of course, I stopped exercising during this slump.
This is something like dropping your high blood pressure meds during a stressful emergency. It's just dumb. For whatever reason, sustained vigorous exercise is my equivalent of Welbutrin. If I take it, I'm happy, cheerful and able to meet the challenges that come my way. If I stop, I become despondent, overwhelmed, sad and grumpy. Especially during winter, and February is the worst!
I pulled out of this last night by getting on the phone with a friend who needed some coaching. It perked me right up. This friend is doing so well---I'm so proud of him and so excited by his growth and progress---that it just kicked me out of the sad, angry place I'd been stuck in for several days.
After a long and productive phone conversation, I went to bed. Hopped up at 5:30 a.m. and did one hour and fifteen minutes of weight training followed by 45 minutes of long slow burn cardio.
And today I am happy and productive once more!
Of course, I stopped exercising during this slump.
This is something like dropping your high blood pressure meds during a stressful emergency. It's just dumb. For whatever reason, sustained vigorous exercise is my equivalent of Welbutrin. If I take it, I'm happy, cheerful and able to meet the challenges that come my way. If I stop, I become despondent, overwhelmed, sad and grumpy. Especially during winter, and February is the worst!
I pulled out of this last night by getting on the phone with a friend who needed some coaching. It perked me right up. This friend is doing so well---I'm so proud of him and so excited by his growth and progress---that it just kicked me out of the sad, angry place I'd been stuck in for several days.
After a long and productive phone conversation, I went to bed. Hopped up at 5:30 a.m. and did one hour and fifteen minutes of weight training followed by 45 minutes of long slow burn cardio.
And today I am happy and productive once more!
no subject
Date: 2008-02-13 05:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-13 05:59 pm (UTC)I may be landing on you one evening in the next month or two: I might have to visit Allentown for a couple of days for work.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-13 09:44 pm (UTC)I would LOVE to have you here. You should be aware, however, that Allentown is a 2 hour drive from Armpit.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-14 01:05 am (UTC)I know Allentown is 2 hours away, but I may have to go for 2 days, and the drive home would be much longer. Plus, why go home when I could stop and pester you? :) And meet the lovely Dogbreath, of course.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-13 06:11 pm (UTC)Spouse keeps asking when I'll start to love the Elliptical Trainer. I don't think that will ever happen. I like the outcome. Not the process.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-13 06:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-13 06:44 pm (UTC)I'm finding it harder than I used to when I try to push drama aside and deal with the other things on my plate. I occasionally wonder whether it's part of getting older, since I can't multitask as well as I used to, either (keep in mind, my ability to multitask used to astound even me, but still).
I'm still trying to find a steady exercise routine that works for me. I think I'm just going to need to bite the bullet and invest in a piece of equipment, because the weather here is just too variable (and cold) for me to walk the way I'd like. I'm glad your routine keeps working for you!
no subject
Date: 2008-02-13 07:45 pm (UTC)Meanwhile, I suspect what your funk is about. I send you hugs and hope you're not mad after you read the private post I made to you.