I haven’t blogged for a month, which is nuts! Initially I was busy with work but then things eased off and I took the opportunity to take a bit of a break.
I’ve just read my last blog where I was full of motivation the week after the half marathon and was going to be in London for a week, followed by a week in Finland with high aspirations.
That week was OK, I hit the gym on Monday to do a legs and glute workout, and did a 2Km HIIT interval run. Then I did a 75 minute Bikram class in the evening.
The Tuesday I travelled to Bristol for work and there I did a chest and shoulder workout at the gym, and 2 rounds of sun salutations. The following morning I woke up and did 30 minutes of yoga before work.
I rested on Thursday. Friday I ran 5Km in 32:11, on Saturday I did a 75 minute flow class and Sunday I travelled to Finland where I did 10 minutes of yoga in my hotel room before dinner.
It wasn’t exactly the healthy week of exercise I had hoped for. It’s apparent that often the expectations I have of myself and the reality of what I can achieve is somewhat misaligned. Weeks that I think will be a good opportunity for regular exercise often don’t turn out that way. Yes I exercised, but it wasn’t enough.
In Finland I was, as ever, full of optimism, but again the week didn’t lend itself to finding time to work-out consistently.
On the Monday I did 15 minutes of yoga before work (as we started at 9 on the Monday) and before dinner I went to the gym and did a 5Km run. At the gym I felt really self conscious. The layout meant that my bum was facing the weights section and I immediately hated being in there. Interestingly, in a desire to not be on the treadmill too long I ran that 5Km in 29:30! Then I did legs and glutes weights.
I felt really good and positive for the rest of the week.
On Tuesday we started work at 8am. I had breakfast with my boss at 07:30 before jumping in a cab. The trouble with this is that Finland is 2 hours ahead, so I was having to get up at 06:45 Finnish time, which is 04:45 UK time!! So there was no chance to workout first thing. I managed 15 minutes of yoga before heading out for my bosses birthday dinner.
Wednesday was a write off. We started at 8am again, and by the evening I was shattered. I was going to go to the gym but instead I had a nap before dinner, which I really needed. As a result I did no exercise on Wednesday.
Having dyspraxia means that I become more tired from carrying out tasks than other people would get. I am completely able to do jobs that need doing, work, travel, exercise etc.; but the recovery time behind closed doors is longer. Having very busy periods at work are manageable, but when they stop I tend to crash. Three intense working days getting up at the crack of dawn (UK time) was fine, but the repercussion was complete exhaustion.
Although this Dyspraxia diagnosis is new, it is a condition I have always had. It is hard to explain but finally having a name to put to how I feel is a real relief for me. When I am feeling too overwhelmed by tiredness I can say I need to rest, where before I felt I had to just keep going. I travelled home on Thursday which meant no exercise, and I was too tired on the Friday and Saturday. I chose rest that I so desperately needed particularly as I had a 10Km race booked on the Sunday!
I kept questioning whether or not I would manage the run, but it was my last formal one of the year, so with a little gentle encouragement I went along. The heavens opened on the start line, and I thought it would really set us back. Yet, Steve and I completed the 10Km in 1 hour and 2 minutes. This was 39 seconds off the same race earlier this year.
The following week wasn’t too bad.
- Monday: XT-40 & B75
- Tuesday: 15 minutes stretching and foam roller
- Wednesday: Back and arm weights, Run 3Km = 20:57
- Thursday: Rest
- Friday: Chest and shoulder weights, Abdominal workout, Run 6.44Km = 41:23
- Saturday: B60
- Sunday: Rest
Then last week wasn’t so great as I had a few Christmas parties on and a wedding on the Saturday. I ran 6.44Km on Monday (42:38) and went to a 75 minute Bikram class. Then made it to yin on Sunday despite a bit of a hangover, but did nothing in the mid-section of the week.
I’ve made a real effort to not drink too much this month. I have still enjoyed a few glasses or 4 at social events, but normally I would have had a lot more. I just feel myself shifting away from drinking, particularly as I really want to get this last stone off!
As far as the Christmas period goes I did a few sun-salutations on Christmas Day and on Boxing Day I went out for a 7Km run first thing (43:27). I was feeling quite irritable, and I think that it was the lack of exercise that was making me feel that way. So, I ran, and then we went on a nice long walk too which really helped my mood. With the business of Christmas preparations my exercise had waivered and I really felt it.
I was designated driver on Christmas day to ferry us from Giles’ Mum’s house to my Mum’s. Then on Boxing Day I drove us home to London as I was worried we had left the cats too long without anyone checking in on them. So, because of this I didn’t drink over Christmas either, and I feel good for it.
The only issue is that I think drinking has often helped dumb my senses a bit. I have sensory processing issues and when I drink in social situations this tends to make things less challenging. So I have been acutely aware this Christmas season how I use alcohol to numb the noise and the lights and the noise and ALL THE NOISE! Without it I have wanted to leave parties early and withdraw to find quiet and I think that this has seemed out of character. The difficulty I’m finding is that it seems to others that I am using dyspraxia as a reason to get out of social situations, ones where normally I would cope fine, but I was actually coping by self-medicating with alcohol. In honesty I just can not wait for the holiday season to be over – I just want to be able to do my exercise and eat what I want and stay home with my cats!
Yesterday I did a Hot Inferno Pilates class at Midday which is like an intense HIIT class to music with a community vibe. It was awesome but I am really feeling it today. After that I did a 60 minute relaxing wheel therapy yoga class, which was the perfect cool down.
This morning I have weighed in, and found that my weight is the same as it was before Christmas which is a glorious win. I have been to a 90 minute Bikram class which was hot but wonderful.
I am planning on spending some time tomorrow making plans for my health and fitness over 2019. I have been plateauing for a long while, I need to get this last stone off. I want to be embarking on the New Year feeling my best and January is an amazing opportunity to re-motivate myself, set new goals, try new workouts, and follow a routine.
So, that is where I am, expect a blog in the next few days outlining my plans for 2019. I know it is going to be a good year, because I will make it so.
