Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF version

It's interesting to me how some days when exercising, I feel as though I could go forever, and other days it's as if I never worked out in my life! Ever feel that way? Some days I feel like Superwoman, and others I feel like an Old Woman.

"Off" days happen for a reason. Nutrition, hydration, monthly cycle, quality of sleep, climate, and mental attitude all play a part in even the most dedicated of us workout queens.

Yesterday morning I went on a 4-mile run outside, anxious to get those endorphins going as I envisioned the calories I would burn toward my weight loss goal. Having moved to Phoenix recently, I had already learned to take a bottle of water with me. Off I went, sticking as close to the shade trees as I could. What quickly ensued was winded-ness, fatigue, thirst, and, consequently, frustration. There was a time when I would have kept going and "toughed it out." I am reminded of that very time that I learned a valuable lesson.

Flash back to when I was newly married and had been running to offset weight gain from quitting smoking. I had been running pretty regularly and was getting in great shape. I set out one afternoon after work to run three miles. I quickly felt just awful, and thought to myself, "What is wrong with you? You should be in better shape than this!" As I struggled to run with a warm wind fighting me, I got very, very angry. And so I ran harder!

When I got home, I became very, very sick. My head throbbed so badly, and I threw up repeatedly. Concerned, my hubby called the hospital and they informed us I had heat exhaustion and to watch me closely. Needless to say, my spouse wasn't very happy with me for over-doing it. As it turned out, the heat index was pretty high that day. Oops!

As I felt rotten yesterday, there was a part of me that was too prideful to stop and walk. Somehow, I always seem to feel like if I do that, the workout means nothing; like it had never happened. That is such wrong thinking! I continued to run and gave myself permission to stop and take a drink of water repeatedly throughout the run.

There have been many other times that I have had to give myself permission to modify a workout. It's really all right to do that and your body will thank you.

So as you exercise this summer, whether at Luna or outdoors, give yourself permission to back off a bit if you aren't feeling right. Tomorrow is another day :-). The important thing is that you are consistent and mindful of your goals.

And if you don't yet have those goals, stop in and see us! We can assess you and plot out a fitness/diet plan leading to a summer of optimum health!