I love when I can blog and share my triumphs and things that I’ve overcome, but I also think it’s important for me to share the difficulty I sometimes have when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, because I never want to glorify myself or my habits.
No matter how many articles or blog posts I read about fitting a workout in before work, this will never be easy for me.
Meet my enemy.
Meet my best friend.
Every morning, my enemy starts making the most ungodly noise ever. (Ask anyone who’s ever shared a hotel room with me.)
My best friend tempts me with this soft duvet and pillows.
In my not-at-all awakeness, I smack the snooze button and vow to wake up the next time. Each time. Until it’s too late to work out.
It’s not something that I’m proud of, or that I even really do consciously, but it’s the truth.
And it happened again this morning. And yesterday morning. And the morning before that. If I don’t have after-work plans, I don’t usually try to work out in the morning, but lately I’ve been having a lot of Junior League meetings after work (our Winter Ball is coming up) and other commitments.
Remember that strength challenge? I’ve had a hard time getting to the classes, and I had to email Jaz this morning and tell her I needed to drop out. She was super-understanding, but it still sucks to have to admit defeat. I’m not a person who can continue to function on a little sleep, though, so I just couldn’t. I had to sacrifice something, and I can’t sacrifice work or Junior League.
I’m still going to train for the half-marathon (although I’m not sure if I’m still going to aim for a PR…) and still try to make myself strength train twice per week, but it’s going to be much more casual. I’ll probably download a Runner’s World Smart Coach program and loosely follow it. I’ve done the distance quite a few times before, so I really just want to have a base.
I’m trying to eat a little healthier as of late since I’ve been working out less (more on this another time), since I like maintaining my weight. And, you know, fitting into my clothes.
But sushi’s hard to give up.
Tomorrow’s another day, so I’m going to sleep right now so I can try to run tomorrow morning.
Is your alarm clock a jerk, too? How the hell does one get over this?
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My alarm clock is a jerk too! I haven't had an early morning workout on a weekday in weeks! I'm also already in bed too, this week was crazy! And your post made me want sushi!
I hate my alarm too, but I can usually overcome the desire to lay in bed for an extra hour. Try using your phone as your alarm, and putting it on the other side of the room. I've never done it, as it sounds like it would be as torturous as trying to ween a baby off a bottle, but perhaps it will work for those days you want to get strength training in. Good luck.
My alarm clocks a jerk too! This is one of my biggest challenges too...I'm not a morning person at all! Having to be to work by 730am and not getting home til 7 makes for a long day...and exhaustion! Let me know if you find a way to beat the clock....I need to as well!
Bo and I both have to put our phone alarms outside arm's reach. I put mine on top of our dresser which forces me to get of bed, face the cold air, and walk across the room to reach it.
My alarm is eeeeeeeevil! Things I've done in the past to get my arse out of bed include: sleeping in my workout clothes, having everything packed and read to go the night before, drinking lots of water before bed so I'd have to pee so badly in the morning. I really struggle with morning workouts but will have to get myself back into it if I'm going to lose my baby weight in a few weeks and start training for a half marathon again.
I'm a teacher, and during the school year, I find it next to impossible to work out before school, partly because I like having an hour at work to think and plan before teaching. Also, I know that there are crazy-busy times during the year when I have to put training for anything big on the back burner. I think it's important to be realistic about life and how much really is possible at different moments during the year.
@Kristina: so true. I can still casually train for the race but taking on a strength challenge too was a little dumb on my part. You know how sometimes when you're really busy stuff falls into place because you have no other time to do it? This is not one of those times.
Theodora, set backs are normal and i understand how some times it is difficult to stick to a plan. It is especially hard waking up in the cold dark morning when you have a warm cozy bed to relax in! Just try to think of how good you feel AFTER the workout! Getting to the gym/run/etc is the hard part. Once you are there, it will be a piece of cake! You run a marathon in a crazy fast time and PR'd it by -i don't even know how many- minutes remember??? A half should not be a prob!Keep it up!
It is so hard for me to get up in the morning if it is still dark out. I just can't make myself do it.
I completely understand on not being able to wake up. My friends got me a body pillow for my birthday and I have been known to say that it is both the best and worst gift that I have ever received, because I'm soooo comfortable in bed..so comfortable that I never want to get out.
Also, that sushi looks delicious and I'm very jealous!
I use the alarm on my phone and also have a Clocky for when things get really rough. I'm a deep sleeper and used to regularly sleep through alarms for hours; I've gotten a little better over the years, but I still need backup sometimes. My phone alarm is the one closest to the bed, and as awful as I'm sure it is to stare at a screen .2 seconds after waking up, it really helps me get on with the day — I force myself to focus my eyes on my e-mail or Twitter or something, and then I'm a little more engaged with the world and not quite as likely to roll over and go back to sleep.
@Kimra: Does Clocky really work???