This week in fitness ----
Most of the time when I travel, I look forward to uninterrupted time to exercise and enjoy my fitness journey without clients, family, friends....just me, myself and my workout. I look forward to packing my running shoes and getting to know a new place on foot or exploring classes at a local gym. Well, for first time in my LIFE, that didn't happen.
Here's what did happen...I went on vacation with parents, my son and my husband. There were a lot of people and personalities to manage. Time schedules were insane. We were at Disney, so it took all kinds of activities to manage the needs of two active mature adults, two crazy parents of a preschooler and a FIVE YEAR OLD!
Normally when schedules are crazy and time won't permit a workout, I get up before the sun and do my own hybrid workout of jump rope and bodyweight exercises before anything or anyone can get in my way. This wasn't an option on this trip. Let's just say that the sleeping arrangements were weird. There was someone in every room of the house we stayed in and it was impossible to move around without waking someone or everyone. It was too dark in the morning to run outside. And as a female running alone, I consider it a major NO NO to run in the dark without a companion or a very mean dog. To top it all off, we were leaving the house early each morning to hit one of the Disney Parks. When we arrived at Epcot or wherever we chose to be that day, we would stay all day, wait in lines, get on rides, take tours, go to shows, eat and then REPEAT....It was pure madness that lasted until well after dark --- Can you say Disney Disco? LOL
At first, I was upset by this. I was enjoying my son's first trip to Disney and the family experience, but I was crazed at how the arrangements kept me from working out. After about 3 days of sulking about losing my vacation workout paradise, I decided to embrace the trip. I mean really?, this is the first time in years I have taken a break from my workout and just relaxed. Maybe this was a good time to kick back, have a glass of wine, chill with Mickey Mouse and just let it hang. I ate lots of sushi and salad and fruit on this trip but also had my share of wine and junk food -- the meatball sandwiches at Disney ROCK! (Yes, it's crap, but I ate it. So I own it. LOL)
True to my fitness geek I did learn through a trusty pedometer that I averaged between 8-10 miles of walking in 8 -12 hours every day while at the parks and burned about 700-800 calories extra over my resting metabolic rate -- between being on my feet, carrying my 40lb son around when he got tired and walking, walking, walking in the Florida heat. I have to admit that knowing that fact about calories made me feel WAY BETTER!
The point I make is this, fitness is a lifestyle, it's an every day adventure, but it also has to be balanced as part of your WHOLE LIFE PHILOSOPHY. I enjoy my life, not just my workouts, and so should you. So next time you miss a workout (I said MISS, not SKIP) see what else is in front of you that you can enjoy that day and then come back with a rested vengeance in your next workout.
This week I am working plyometrics, yoga and core training. I figured since my joints had a nice break and I am carb loaded from the meatball sandwiches, this is a good time to JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET! Join me if you dare. :-)
be well,
dawn
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