I wonder if any studies have been done on the psychology of rest?
Yesterday was my last workout for a week. And so… with the exception of an active notes-swapping session I have planned with A. this coming weekend, I won’t pass through the turn-styles of the gym for days… And when I walked out of there yesterday, it felt great to leave!
I had to stop by there to pick something up today and didn’t feel the slightest twinge of interest in working out.
How scary is that?
The fact that I had just come from physio, where Tim had once again jabbed me with countless acupuncture needles in my back and legs may have had something to do with it… I just said, “Put the needles wherever you want… They bring so much relief, I don’t care!”
And a few seconds later I added, “We’ve come a long way, haven’t we, Tim?!” I was thinking back to the days when I hated needles... Now I look forward to them!
He agreed and then said that he, too, was in favour of a rest week… (Except for my physio exercises… I still have to do those every day…)
Told me that in retrospect, my injury was most likely the result of too much, too soon… If I’d taken a gentler approach, it may not have happened… Now we need to back pedal and start slow again…
Hhhmm… gentle approach… Now there’s a concept. So, what did I do instead? I hired a trainer and start working out six days a week.
What? You mean that dropping from a size 20 to a size 10 (well… OK… an 8) in a year is not a “gentle approach”? Hhhmmm….
Anyway, I am thoroughly enjoying my rest week so far (complete with coffee treats, I might add!)
Yesterday I made HUGE strides in catching up at work and today I know my head will not hit the pillow before I’ve had some quality studying time.
My laundry is done, bills have been paid and last night… I cooked! For the first time in… well... whenever my last post about cooking was... A while ago... Yesterday was curried lentils and chicken tikka (no recipes again... sorry!)
And I still made it into bed by 10:30 p.m. And I slept better last night than I have in about two weeks.
The cherry on the sundae is that I scored the very last spot in a summer course I need for my program. I haven’t had time to register for it and I heard from two of my classmates today that the course was full, which sent my head into a tailspin… ‘till they told me that someone withdrew and there was one spot left. I pretty much ran straight to a computer and got myself signed up.
So… I guess I did get in a bit of a run, after all! (Ha ha!)
Anyway…. this rest stuff is far too delicious… God, I hope I don’t abandon the gym completely!! (I am a little worried about this...)
For now, back to the books!
8 comments:
I bet you'll feel like heading back to the gym after a week's rest. It's amazing how getting some good sleep (and maybe, with the cooking, some good nutrition)helps! Enjoy you're week off!
wow, that is so great! your body is definitely telling you to rest.
gee, your comments about too much, too soon sound awfully familiar! :p You dropped from a 20 to an 8/10 too?! Cool!
A little penduluming is fun, isn't it? Enjoy the ride, but remember the immortal words of RB:
"Everything in moderation... including moderation!"
I really need to buy you "In Praise of Slow" by Carl Honore. We live in such a fast-paced world that we get caught up in it sometimes. I think we need another Matrix night soon - but no cooking for you, Miss Two Kinds of Paellas and more home-made food than a rugby team can eat (did I mentioned how much I enjoyed that??) We order in and just loll about!
Relax and enjoy your rest!
If you have to be off for a week you might as well enjoy it. Hope the time away does you good.
Most changes from routine are good. You are enjoying a change and a rest.
Probably studies have been done but if I remember my last comment, it was "get some rest".
Glad you're feeling better.
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