When Energy Comes And Goes

I've learned that a lot of my fitness habits went to the wayside by my own excuses.  When I was touring my workout regime was on point.  I was dancing regularly, and even though I lived solo and didn't have a workout partner, I still hit the gym daily to do free weights, cardio, and abs.  Lots and lots of abs.

And then I grew up, stopped touring, got a full time job in journalism that put me at a desk all day and my health took a turn that for some reason makes cardio leads to me getting sick sometimes. 

But I've realized that I can excuse it away all day long, but when it comes down to it I've learned that I am good when it comes to eating healthy, I'm just not so good at working out on a regular basis.

And that's ok.  The important thing is that I learn what I can work with.  On days, like yesterday for example, when my energy is soaring (and I'll say I was on day 11 of the Whole 30 meal plan), that I get in a good workout.  That I try to lift weights, do cardio or power yoga.

And then, on the days when I have no energy, when I'm not feeling well, when I'm experiencing my pelvic pain, or I've put in 10 hours of writing and leaving the house is the last thing I want to do, I will improvise and dedicate to doing something good for my body.

And that can be a number of things, for you as well.  You all know your bodies better than anyone.  The beauty about this journey is that I've learned to tune in to know when I'm just being lazy or when I know my body really does just need to rest or sleep. 

I've put together a list of low-impact, easy exercises to do when your exhausted or just need to decompress or you need a good stretch session. 

1. Restorative or Relaxation Yoga.  This is my favorite.  It relaxes me and it helps me to really stretch.  After the half hour or hour I put in I am refreshed, feel like I got a gentle workout and am relaxed enough that I can do it at night and not be too energized to go to sleep. Tamal Dodge is my favorite instructor on DVD, or you can find a local yoga studio that offers these classes. 
   
2. Walking.  Simple as that.  Getting out in fresh air, getting my blood moving and taking time to pray and connect to God changes my whole day.  When I make the time to go out and take a walk I feel so much better.  And one of my best girlfriends and I have started making this a way we hang out in the morning.  We usually do 2 miles and walk while we catch up. 
3. Specified Stretches.  Sometimes when I don't do a yoga class or video, I will do a specific 15-30 minute set of stretches from my physical therapist or pelvic pain book.  If you have a specific pain issue or you just generally feel tight in a certain body part, shoulders, legs, etc. locate easy and effective stretches either with a book or online videos that will help you regularly stretch out.  It's a fact that we hold a lot of emotions in our psoas area (the muscle that runs from under your ribs, down to your inner thigh, deep inside) and when mine is tight I feel much more anxious and irritable. 
4. Low Impact Cardio Machines.  I adore the elliptical machine.  It's low impact and you can use as much energy, or not, that you are feeling on a particular day.  I used to employ the rule that if I wanted to watch FRIENDS (my favorite show of ALL time, if you know me at all) or read my latest issue of SHAPE, I had to be on an elliptical or treadmill to watch it. (I told you, I was hard core back in the day).  I have decided to start using the reward system for myself again, as I know this works really well for me, only now I use new issues of Gluten Free Living or Natural Health as my sweet reward.

I'd love to know what you do when you're not feeling to hot or want to hide under the covers? Fitness first! :)