I'm feeling my age this week. I'm worn out. My body has aches and pains. I want to move somewhere warm. I just want to put on a thick sweater and sit in a chair and rock for the rest of my days.
This week, I did week 1 of a program that I've completed before, but each time I do these workouts, I've seemed to have blocked out how hard they are. The workouts are longer, and we have two leg workouts a week. While I've been able to do the workouts, and I'm lifting heavy weights, my body is having a hard time recovering. My legs are still feeling a move that we did on Tuesday. And my knees ache from all of the lunges and squats.
Yesterday I woke up and my Fitbit watch told me I should take a rest day. Normally I just ignore it. If it's not a scheduled rest day for me, I do the workout that's scheduled for me. But I listened to my watch. I listened to my sore, tired body. I did a short walk-at-home video just to move my body a bit and then I did a stretching, recovery workout.
Today my legs feel a bit better, but now my back hurts from helping David lift something. Gah!
It's extremely frustrating (and a bit depressing) to age sometimes. I want to do things and my body either refuses to do it, or it fools me into thinking it can do something, but then it punishes me for days afterwards.
I'm also struggling with the cold, dreary winter, as I always do this time of year, and I just want to eat all of the carbs and read and watch TV all day. I just don't have the energy right now to track my macros and meal plan and do all of the healthy things. And then I get mad at myself for feeling this way because I work so hard to reach goals and get results, but then I run out of focus and energy.
I'm trying to practice self-care by resting, making as many healthy choices as I can, but giving myself grace if I don't. I think the wise thing to do would be to do some less intense workouts this next week to let my muscles recover. I've been so focused on lifting heavier weights that perhaps I need to just slow down before I injure myself.
As much as I know that tracking my macros and calories is beneficial, it's also stressful for me to try and plan meals that both David and I can eat. For me right now, it's more important to just make sure that we're both eating healthy, balanced meals.
This will pass; it always does, and it will be okay. My body has done some amazing things for the last 57 years and it's not done yet! But for now, it deserves some rest, and then I'll get right back to it!
I can relate, Tamster. Yesterday I did 'at home' things and didn't go to the gym and I didn't beat myself up about it because I'm there almost every day of the week. I needed to stay home and relax and give myself a break, just like you need to do. I watched some shows from my tv 'library', curled up with a cozy blanket, and enjoyed the moment. I've got some years on you so I smile when I think how it's hard some days, but I do it because I can still do it. Not everyone can still do what we do, and for that I am grateful. Do what you need to do and you'll be fine…
I would agree with all you wrote. Tried to increase weights last week and paid for it. Back to lower weights and higher reps. From one who went 31.5 years running everyday to dropping down to 4 days a week and really looking forward to those no run days, what a change. On the off days bike and walk. Sometimes the junk food is much tastier and then regret it later. Bodies change and it is hard for me to cope with that fact. At age 72 I need to realize things have changed. But I still will do my best to remain healthy and fit. Thanks for your article!