In the past week or so, I've been struggling with my time and makeing healthy decisions. At the time I didn't realize how connected they were. I've been exercising, but then eating horribly. I've been wanting to cook and bake to prep for more clean meals - but I barely have the energy to do frozen pizza or spaghetti. My desires to do the right thing just didn't seem to get backed up with action.
So what did I do? I blamed it on the weather! Everyone(it seems) has been feeling particularly tired and lacking motivation. Maybe it's something about the time of year and the crummy weather. Who knows. But I decided a few days ago - it wasn't my fault. Hahaa!
So today - I skipped the gym. I could have gone... but my son needed a mornign nap if I was to accomplish all the activities in the afternoon. So we stayed home... And I started to prep dinner - Chicken Noodle Slop(lovely, I know!)I'll post a recipe soon. Anyways - I did that and decided to take the remaining chicken and make chicken nuggets. This is something I've been wanted to do, but just never had the time - or if I did - no energy. So I did.
And this is what I realized about myself: When I spend my mornings at the gym, yes, I burn alot of calories, but then I've depleted all my energy for most of the day. I do very little after lunch and the afternoon. After dinner I have renewed energy to go out or tackle a project. But that's not the right time to start cooking.
So, in a way - my taking a break from exercising, has really helped me in other areas. I can make healthy meals for me and my family. I have more energy for the whole day. I didn't have any snacks - and actually - I'm not even really craving them this evening. But when I work out - I'm depleted and don't have the willpower to hold to my decisions.
Hmm... this makes me wonder, how can I exercise without totally depleteing my resources physically??? Any ideas??
How about working out in the afternoon? Are you getting enough water? Enough sleep? Enough vitamins?
ReplyDeleteHonestly, when we were working out at the gym 5 days a week, I was exhausted for the first 2 weeks. When I thought I couldn't go anymore, my body actually craved the sweating and heart pumping exercise. I was sleeping better. Eating better. Felt better. And I was exhausted when I needed to be (at night) instead of falling asleep in the middle of the day.
You might appreciate this post: http://escapefromobesity.blogspot.com/2010/10/healthy-dinners-in-minutes-easy-pork.html
ReplyDeleteTalks about a way to make something really easy. Also, something that occurred to me is I wondered if you could switch the order of the way you do things? For example, prep meals when you get your second wind at night. Or, you could make food during the day and then go to the gym at night.
I think Sarah's suggestion of prepping meals when you have energy is great. Also, maybe keep some easy, healthy alternatives around. (I always have whole wheat pasta, jars of healthy sauce, and a tub of shredded parm in the house, for example, which is a super-easy low-time/energy dinner option.)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm not a trainer or anything, but maybe tone down the workouts a little? Burning a thousand calories is great, but if it wears you out . . . maybe a 300 calorie, 25 minute jog/walk would be more sustainable, and would leave you with enough resources to make it through the rest of the day?
Thanks Guys! I actually could use a bit more sleep - and vitamins! (I often skip them because they tend to make me nauseaus if I don't take them at the right time...) And my last couple workouts were easier. I skipped the TurboKick classes and just walked on the treadmill. Something is better than nothing! I shoudl consider being more flexible in my daytime activities. I think I *could* workout in the afternoon if I planned naptime a little bit. Which would be nice - I tend to be more productive at home if I don't workout in the morning!!!
ReplyDeleteOh - and I don't know if my HRM is right - I can't believe I'm burning 1000 calories... it just doesn't seem right. But I reset it recently, so it should be accurate. Maybe I need a professional!