This week I did something unheard of in my world. Truly unheard of. I am not sure how I feel about it yet. I kind of feel guilty, but I also kind of feel good.
I usually don’t do this, ever. I can’t really recall the last time I did this without being terribly sick.
I took two days in a row off of working out. Tuesday and Wednesday. After I write this I will go get my workout on for today. But back to Tuesday and Wednesday. I am not injured, other than the general soreness I always have. I am not sick. I haven’t even had another bad asthma attack. Why did I do this? Frankly, I am just exhausted. Everything in me is exhausted. I have been pushing myself really hard. Not just in the workout world either. Between being a stay at home mom, taking care of the house, Jackson (who is a very large toddler. He wears 3T shirts and 2T pants and he is 20 months old), being active with my child (think swim lessons, gymnastics, museum trips, shopping trips, etc. We DO a lot each week), being in school for Pilates, my extra outside of class Pilates classes, a hubby, my regular workouts, and all the family things I have going on each week. I was feeling drained.Everything has been getting done lately. Crafts, clean house, spotless every day when I go to bed, studying, toddler things, workouts and more workouts, even recreational reading. I was starting to feel like I was running on E. Not mentally, just physically.
I only intended to take Tuesday off. Then yesterday I just felt exhausted still. I usually go to Reformer at night. I still was pooped around 4pm, two hours before class so I decided to skip it.
You know what, I feel really energized today. I think I needed this time off this week. I really do. Now, I don’t sit around idle very much. I still did a lot. Cleaning, shopping, carrying around my 30lb toddler. He is like a solid brick. He likes to be carried a lot. My biceps are not from weight lifting, they are from carrying him and all our bags of things. We went to his gymnastics class, where I only sit still for 3 minutes, literally, during independent play time. We went to two stores yesterday. I vacuum a lot. Sometimes I feel like I follow him around with the vacuum! He is a messy little boy and I let him be that way. He is exploring, but I do have to clean it up because it drives me nuts if it sits there! Going up and down my huge staircase, carrying him, that is tough, it goes on and on. I still moved but I didn’t do that extra set workout.
I think it is what I needed. More than 1 day. I don’t know how often I will do this break. Probably not often. It will probably take total physical exhaustion again. I didn’t want to injure myself. I have a new acquaintance through Pilates who did that. Over-training and has several injuries she is working through. She gave me wise advice last Saturday about taking a break. I think we are very similar in our workout addiction. I know I am a tad addicted to the endorphins that come with a workout. I can admit that. The very fact that I am writing about what a big deal it is that I took two days off in a row is proof enough. I am not ashamed of this fact at all. I would rather be a workout addict than an addict to any vices in this world. No joke.
I am still working out what to do this morning. Probably some cardio on the elliptical and then some mat work. I have class tonight. We are done with mat and have moved to Reformer training. So I will be on there tonight too. But what better way to jump back into my workout than going balls to the wall: cardio/mat in the morning and Reformer at night!! woo woo!! HA!
Nicole M. VandeBoom 
Oh man, you are so cute! But REST days are SO important. You should read a bit about them (I think you have before, but just to remind yourself). Your body will love you when you take them, sometimes (and I’m so happy you listened to your body) you need two days.
I really would love to try a reformer class. But I’ve been lazy on the workout front. I hope to get in a run and some yoga tonight, but won’t beat myself up if it is just some yoga.
LOVE You. You are a super human! lol
Thank you for the super human comment! Ha! I am something, idk if that is it though. Maybe a little hyper and type-a?? I am not sure how I get things done but I think I said it best to Jason and then also explained it to Wendy recently. “I am almost 30, I don’t want the house and everything else to look like a frat house. And no one else but me is going to take care of everything that needs to be done, so I have to do it and do it now”
I know how important it is but those endorphins are often a stronger voice than the voice of fitness reason in my head!!! Actually I lost a pound and a half since Monday. Which is odd as well because it is PMS time and I tend to retain water. I thought for sure today I would be up a little and I wasn’t. I can’t help but think my muscles must have been rather inflamed and really needed that rest time to calm down.I usually take 1 day off a week and I change that day up every week, so I don’t get used to any particular schedule.
Just do what you can. I find it easier to do things now. Even though he is a toddler. And in to everything. Sometimes that into everything is helpful. He can entertain himself so I can get something else done. Yesterday I folded laundry in the living room and he started to unfold folded things and I explained he can touch anything in the basket that wasn’t folded but he cannot touch the stuff on the floor. Mommy already worked hard to fold that. He listened! So there is compromise, communication, and age that has made this all easier. Newborns are a whole other world, so yes, if you just get to do relaxing yoga, then take it my sister!!!! It is better than nothing. There is no reasoning with a 3 month old who wants some breastmilk and cuddles ASAP! There is more reasoning with an almost 2 year old who understands every word that leaves my mouth. You’re doing awesome and before you know it you will be telling Evan that he can touch the basket clothing but not the floor folded clothing and he will listen and you will be playing with him and getting laundry done! Multi-tasking!!! AHHH Us moms are AMAZING at that!