Activity update: Special Self-Loathing Edition

[sarahmichigan]

May 21 - May 27

Total days active: 7 out of 7
Total days did full body stretch: 2 out of 7

Comments: Ugh. Fell down on the stretching this last week. A lot of my "activity" the last week was "lifestyle" activity- like yardwork, mowing, walking to and from work. I've not been to the gym much lately. I keep going around in circles with myself. Working out makes me sore, so sometimes I just get lazy and don't do much. But not getting *enough* exercise also makes me sore and achy. Still trying to find the right balance. And when I DO stretch, especially the stretches that I know are good for my hip, I usually do feel better. But unless I'm at the gym, I usually forget, or put it off until "later" and then later never arrives.

Not having a good body image time lately. I have mentioned before that I put on a little weight over the last year or so. I'm trying to see it neutrally but it's really hard. Even as size-positive as I am, I'm not immune to cultural messages. I also noticed yesterday when looking in the mirror that I had a new stretch mark, and for some reason that bothers me more than having some of my pants get tight. I do want to get more active this summer and eat really well. I planted some veggies & herbs and bought a "farm share" from a local farm and I'm looking forward to getting lots of local produce. I just want to make sure that I'm making the changes out of self-love and not out of self-loathing. Even if I remain the same weight or even gain weight, eating more fruits and veggies and stretching more is going to be good for me.

I also think I need to focus again on stress reduction/management. For a while, I wasn't grinding my teeth hardly at all at night, and now I'm doing it again regularly. That, plus my fingernail-biting habit is usually a pretty good indicator of my stress levels.

Comments

[custardfairy.livejournal.com]

Hope you feel better soon -- I'm pulling for you! :)

[effy.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean about not stretching. I always stretch, and go into long stretches at night time...but I used to do yoga nearly everyday, and now it's once a week...And I feel it.

But, don't be too hard on yourself...

[meecie.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[cjdoyle.livejournal.com]

I know that down feeling quite well...but I think you should still find some small joy in that you were able to put down a "7 of 7" for active, even if it was just "lifestyle active." That's more than most of us can manage, and, frankly, is pretty inspirational to us slothful types.

Just sayin'

stretching

[crm17.livejournal.com]

I have never done much stretching. Well, none. I understand it must be a good thing to do but I have just never worked it in. I start at the gym, when I drag myself there, by walking for 30 minutes. Then I do a variety of weight machines, focusing on endurance more than high weight. If I notice my elbows or knees complain, I lower the weight.

What causes you to value it so highly that it is listed separately in your goal tracking?

[robertlyon.livejournal.com]

I've always found that after about a month of working out the soreness starts to go away.

[purple-marf.livejournal.com]

This may not be true for you (I think you've been a lot more dedicated than I have), but I try to give myself some leeway with the thought that I spent at least a couple decades of my life with very poor eating/exercise habits. When I get down on myself for slow progress, I try to remember that I'm undoing 20 years of abusing my body. 2 (or 5) years of effort is a start, but I can't undo all that (in a safe, healthy manner) without some time.

[rossja.livejournal.com]

The good news is that you're human. The bad news is that it's making you sad right now. Hopefully it'll pick back up in a bit. Have you thought about water aerobics? I love it. I don't know if it would be good or bad for you. :)

Hugs!

[flyinglemursv2.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've been having a hard time lately with stress managerment too, and a bit of the body image stuff too. Its not so much appearance stuff but more that I feel like I'm falling apart. I went camping this past weekend and my ear was blocked up (AGAIN) practically the whole time, my lower back kept hurting like of son of a b every time I did anything bending over or sitting without backsupport (such as oh attempting to put up a tent) and stress has made me tense and on edge. I don't like it. I'm trying to figure out a way to fix it, but it seems like most every way requires more time than I seem to be able to get away from work. Though maybe thats in my head.