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I don’t know about you, but taking a self-imposed break from training and dieting is a pretty big challenge for me. Training is a huge stress relief for me, both physically and emotionally. If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you are well aware that my life has had plenty of challenges over the last few years and training has been one of the main ways that I have coped with that stress. Hey, when you think that I coulda’ been drinkin’ a little over-training doesn’t look all that bad. Unfortunately, my overtraining and dieting put my body in a place where it completely stopped responding. I pushed and I pushed and I pushed and finally my body just got too tired to keep going.

Last Wednesday I decided it is time to take a complete break from training and dieting. Now, don’t go thinking I’m eating Big Mac’s and milkshakes everyday, I’m not! I am, however, eating a TON of Parrillo bars to tie me over between meals. I’m keeping my foods very clean, eating every 2-2 ½ hours and watching my carb intake, but not being restrictive. Today is the 6^th day of my gym hiatus and, unlike the first few days, I’m not having any anxiety about not being in the gym. I know that my body needs this right now.

I am enjoying sleeping in…even if that means 5am…it beats 3:50am. One of the best things I sleep late enough for the kids to wake up before me and in my half-awake/half-asleep state I can hear them sneak a peek into my room and scurry off back to their rooms when they see I’m asleep. It’s a very sweet thing and I love it! I am enjoying some extra time with my children, playing outside on sunny evenings. I think the kids actually miss the gym more than I do. This break is giving me time to do some things that I’ve been putting off and the timing is good with school starting this week. I’m able to get things organized for the kids and all their upcoming activities and commitments.

I have not decided yet when I’ll get back to the gym. I’m definitely in for a full week off which would mean Thursday at the earliest. I’m planning to ease back into the training, starting with cardio. When I feel mentally and physically ready I’ll go back. I’m having my coach, Dave, help me put together a game plan for easing back into the training and structuring my diet to rebuild my metabolism. The past several months have definitely been a lesson in patience for me, but my body has my attention now and I’m listening and obeying…finally!

It’s easy for competitors to fall into this “trap” that I’m in. It’s so important to have good coaching, a solid plan and mostly to rest…both physically and mentally. Our bodies can only handle so much stress. Please listen to your body, follow the warning signs that it provides. I read this quote recently and it was my “ah ha” moment and inspired my “Gym Hiatus”…

“DO NOTHING WHEN NOTHING WORKS”

I’m enjoying the nothingness. J

~Julie~

Fearless, with cape in hand

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